No Thanks to Poetry Slams

Time to Revive Real Poetry

from JoeUser Forums

I went to a poetry slam tonight. I didn't want to go, but I'd receive extra credit for two classes if I went, so it would have been stupid not to go. I'm happy I went though. It motivated me to write poetry again. After all, if I don't write good poetry, who will?

I know it's arrogant of me to claim I'm a better poet than the performers at the poetry slam, but most of them weren't poetic at all. Although the two women that performed were great, the others simply talked with dabs of vulgarity to feign emotion ("fuck" is used in such high doses that it's no longer meaningful). Poetry ceded priority to showmanship (which explains why the first girl, arguably the greatest poet there, received such low scores). What they presented was as poetic as prose found in a typical blog! Even the most liberal free verse must consist of some poetic elements, and clichés are not one of them! That's what hurt most. These are some of the best performers of poetry slams, and some of them still use clichés.

I shouldn't act as if I'm better yet though. Sure, my poetry might be of higher quality, but quality without quantity is worse than quantity without quality, because without material to prove my worth, my words are as hollow as the breath with which I say them. It's time to write again, even if I have to stab my brain to force thoughts out. I want to be poet laureate of my city!

art
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
"I know it's arrogant of me to claim I'm a better poet than the performers at the poetry slam, but most of them weren't poetic at all."

Not arrogant; confident. I know this feeling very well because I have often had it. I discovered I could write better than a lot of people in third grade, and really started using the talent my sophomore year in high school. I know what I can do, and where it stacks up against the societal average. Whenever I walk into a room, I am rationally confident that I can write anything better than anyone else who is in it.

The thing is, I'm also completely aware that anyone in that room could write something better than me.

Arrogance is knowing you're good and believing you can't be beat. Confidence is knowing you're good, but acknowledging that defeat is possible. This is why the arrogant are satisfied while the confident are forever working and honing their skills.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Were these professional slammers or was it like an open mike night slam session?
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Arrogance is knowing you're good and believing you can't be beat. Confidence is knowing you're good, but acknowledging that defeat is possible. This is why the arrogant are satisfied while the confident are forever working and honing their skills.


That's good to know. I definitely know I'm not the Super Saiyan 3 of writing yet.

Were these professional slammers or was it like an open mike night slam session?


It was performers who have won previous poetry slams across the state.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's good to know. I definitely know I'm not the Super Saiyan 3 of writing yet.


Its good to know you're not...but that on any given day, you could be.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
HI.

I don't know if I'd hang all poetry slams out to dry just because the one you saw was mainly a dud.

Might also help to know that 'slam' poetry really doesn't hold to the same precepts as written work (This from slammers with whom I have discussed this at some length) - Slam poetry is more akin to literary performance than simply the expression of the written word... There are MANY slam poems that won't work on the page, i.e. when read on paper, but it's great to see them performed. Likewise many works that read well won't hold the attention of a slam audience.

Just for info purposes, I have slammed a bit (won the first time, and didn't really care to compete after that...), and I have published many works and won some contests. But it's still just my two bits...
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I actually really like poetry slams. I went to a few at a coffee shop near me, but the people there were mainly pros with a few newbies, and most of the performancecs were really powerful. You should try again.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Might also help to know that 'slam' poetry really doesn't hold to the same precepts as written work (This from slammers with whom I have discussed this at some length) - Slam poetry is more akin to literary performance than simply the expression of the written word... There are MANY slam poems that won't work on the page, i.e. when read on paper, but it's great to see them performed. Likewise many works that read well won't hold the attention of a slam audience.


What's funny is that the person who runs the slams said himself when in our class that what's good will sound good both written and spoken, and I have to agree with him. The rest isn't poetry, just prose with emphasis on performance.


I actually really like poetry slams. I went to a few at a coffee shop near me, but the people there were mainly pros with a few newbies, and most of the performancecs were really powerful. You should try again.


Every sample I've heard of poetry slams makes me like them less and less. It's more like an oxymoron.