Poetry Slam
Kamila Kinyon

The May 19th poetry slam at Sidelines, attended by about forty people, was a big success. Students were engaged and the energy level was high. There was a competition for cash prizes by eight speakers: Abbas Jeffer, Jeff Graves, Sarah Brown, Ryan Tilis, Meade Haller, Russ Takeall, Chen Hsia, and Kevin Morse. Poetry ranged in theme and style, including rap in both serious and parodic renderings comedy, eerie and melancholy poetry in the style of Poe, poems about sexual identity, and inquiries into political justice. The first prize winner was Russ Takeall, (profiled in last years newsletter) whose poetry, inspired by a range of influences from classic to rap, centered on political themes. The second prize winner was Jeff Graves, who presented several comic poems, followed by a serious poem written following the death of his friend in a car crash, entitled Moth Children. The third prize was awarded to Ryan Tilis, for a series of rap parodies, including an assertion of white Jewish identity. All speakers received applause and encouragement from a lively audience.

The poetry slam also featured two invited speakers, Mary Ann Stratton performer at the Botanical Gardens Open Mic and DU alumnus Dee Galloway. Mary Ann presented poetry on a variety of themes, from the teaching of middle school children brainwashing with poetry to reflections on her fathers hands hands of the cowboy held our dying of breast cancer motherfingers fumbled with handshakes, milkshakes Another memorable poem, about a teenager wanting to fit in, centered on metaphorical connections with a small hen, broken or bleedingbeneath my nightmare screams, I could hear her taunting "chicken." Dee read a variety of short pieces from a notebook arranged from A to Z. She made selections from her notebook based on letters generated by the audience. One of Dees interests (see her newsletter profile from last year) is the way in which psychological or physical trauma is sublimated through painting or poetry. Today we heard her poem Broken Column, inspired by the painting of Frieda Kahlo: Earth is crackedeven the sheet screamsonly the fact she is not done. Dee also read some humorous poems. One of my favorites was a set of instructions about how to get out of quicksand: When walking in quicksand country, carry a poem

With the May 19th poetry slam, we conclude our 2007-08 series. We wish to thank the years participants, audience, and judges. Next year, we anticipate another successful season.

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