I sucked at English in high school. I never got it. What it was I still don't know. Understanding poetry was on another level . Just a bunch of words placed in random order with odd sentence breaks. Maybe I was way too young.
Then I got introduced into the world of Poetry Slams, where I was able to hear the words of the poets, as they were intended to be heard. This changed my mind about poetry. How emotion can be conveyed so succinctly with just a few words in the right order. With ambiguous meaning left to the audience to interpret as they see fit. To digest, to learn, to experience the piece. So here are some of my favorite pieces that led me to really enjoy this form of expression.
Anis Mojgani & This Will Destroy You - The Fisherman
Paired with the music, this piece has an emotional punch. This is probably my favorite poem to watch. For me it captures loneliness so well.
Anis Mojgani Direct Orders (Rock Out), Here Am I & Shake the Dust
This was the first video of a Poetry Slam that blew me away. There are three poems here, but they are all pretty amazing. Anis Mojgani won the US National Grand Slam competition back to back in 2006 and 2007, so he is definitely a master of the artform.
Daniel Beaty - Knock, Knock
Powerful delivered, and delivered with a rhythm to it. The last Knock Knock will feeling like a punch.
Shane Koyczan and Hannah Epperson - Remember How We Forgot
Shane Koyczan has a few excellent poems, but this one paired with Hannah Epperson violin looping is the one that I really enjoy the most.
Neil Hilborn - OCD
Given his condition this must have been so difficult to perform, but it works so well. It adds to the words being said and the story he creates.
I am always looking for more videos like these, so if anyone has any other ones that are similar please let me know. There is also a very good documentary that explores the effect of Poetry and how it enables young people being able to express themselves. The final poem in the film is also pretty amazing.
