New York has been nothing short of fantastic. My best friend Kasey and I have spent every waking moment running around amidst the brilliant stores, cafes, restaurants, parks, shows, and even a mass or two (yes, the catholic kind). Without a doubt, the biggest hi-light has definitely been visiting New York’s famous Bowery Poetry Club. Not only is this place dear to my heart because it is in a part of the city where the original Beatniks roamed, but its stage has also featured national slam teams and poetic geniuses Bob Holman, Beau Sia, Moonshine, and many others, but most importantly, a personal favorite, Sarah Kay. She started at this club when she was 14, and is a well-known name around this side of the country, as well as for all spoken word fanatics nationwide.
I had been emailing with Sarah prior to arriving in the Big Apple, and had the privilege of performing “Vintage Boots” upon the club’s sacred stage. After the performances, Sarah and I talked about poetry, school, traveling, teaching, and other random things under the sun. It’s truly a marvelous thing to hear a poet’s heart outside of their performed pieces. Ms. Kay in an inspiration for mothers, daughters, poets, and people all over the world, and her organization Project Voice (
CLICK HERE for more info!) is an amazing project that should not be ignored. The emotions I felt performing upon this stage are unparallel, and conversing with a fellow female poet who resonates with my passions was very wonderful indeed. Also, Jamaal May was the featured poet of the night and listening in on his workshops and an 8-piece set was beyond remarkable. If you’re ever feeling fly like a Beatnik and happen to be in the NYC area, make a stop at the Bowery Poetry Club. Here exists an extreme amount of history, culture, and powerful truths of life. It’ll be worth your time. It was worth my entire trip to New York City.
What can I say? The next generation of poets is going to trump this generation. Yesterday I had the privilege of teaching spoken word to three 8th grade classes at Tuffree Middle School in Placentia, CA. Three periods, and over 90 kids all together, the experience taught me more than I could have imagined. The students there had far beyond the amount of brilliance I had anticipated, and wrote captivating poems about conventionally practical things like bracelets, pencils, and tomatoes, as well as heartfelt poems about parents, important rooms, and friendships. I loved showing them videos of some of my personal favorite poets Sarah Kay and Daniel Beaty, and had tons of fun exploring creative writing techniques with them through unconventional writing activities. The students seemed to love it, and a few of them are tremendously naturally gifted writers whom I wouldn’t be shocked to see on the mic in the near future. Teaching poetry never ceases to brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I remember the new perspective of life I found when I was introduced to poetry. After yesterday’s workshop, I hope a handful of these students also feel a little more alive.
