Spoken Word Poetry

Definition according to Wikipedia: 

Spoken word is a performance art that is word-based. It often includes collaboration and experimentation with other art forms such as music, theater, and dance. However, spoken word usually tends to focus on the words themselves, the dynamics of tone, gestures, facial expressions, and not so much on the other art forms.

I first discovered this divinely honest and beautiful artform through the artist Mary Lambert who sings a bridge in Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' – Same Love. The song is controversial and perhaps that’s why I love it so much. It is deeply beautiful and powerfully speaks truth to the hurt and confused. We need to stop hating what we don't understand and start treating each other equally.

I then delved into more of her (Mary Lambert) music and spoken word. Tearfully amazed at 11pm in my room as I listened to the verses she spoke with such command and honesty of her own self experience. I shared more in this previous post.

It seems Macklemore sneakily collaborates with other geniuses and leaves the viewer to discover more of said collaborator.

Then. Today I began learning so much and being reminded of things I've felt so intensely grip my heart. Firstly a young man that has become a comfort to millions of young adults that spend their nights awake. He speaks to a generation about the definition of an education. I love how he challenges people; if it means it’ll bring some sort of justice he expresses it. Another that I had ironically shared in a previous post. 

I love this follow up: I Will Not Let An Exam Result Decide My Fate||Spoken Word

And this one speaks for itself.

Lastly, this is probably, no, definitely one of the best videos I have seen in a while.

It is exactly how I can only hope to one day raise a baby girl.

I think it's quite conclusive that I am infact now obsessed with spoken word poetry.

It has inspired me so much I may even go ahead a write a poem directly after this.

Letting Go

Today has been a day consisting of many thoughts. A lot which surrounded art and expression. With regard to myself, if I'm honest, I can be quite insecure about my own creations and ideas. I've found fear becoming a huge wall I've had to overcome on numerous occasions. The lesson being in all of this: fear is a liar. Don’t ever let fear take hold of you, don’t lose yourself. And doubting never helped anyone either. My most successful artworks have been the ones where I have been true to myself throughout. The difficulty with art, especially in high school is that it may not be interpreted the way you want it to be and when your work is being marked and critiqued by a teacher it can feel very limiting. But I regret not letting go as much as I should of. Most times the absence of control is healthy. 

So what I’m getting at is LET GO. Believe in yourself. Let your thoughts run wild. Create something obscure. Express what it is that makes up the fabric of your soul. Do not let anyone stop you from doing what you love – it sounds cliché but it’s resounds with truth. Commit to living life following your own rhythm no matter what anyone has to say about it.  We all should take more risks, make mistakes and learn quickly. Do what we love and do it well. 
That’s all there really is to it.