30 Poems To Listen To If You've Never Heard Of 'Spoken Word' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

30 Poems To Listen To If You've Never Heard Of 'Spoken Word'

When you write a poem you create a piece of art, when you perform a poem you are the art.

887
30 Poems To Listen To If You've Never Heard Of 'Spoken Word'
Slam Free or Die - Poetry Open Mic & Slam//Facebook

Poetry comes in many different forms and genres, but my favorite by far is spoken word poetry.

The way someone can turn words alone into a performance is absolutely stunning to me, and I often find myself watching videos of these poets for hours at a time. When you write a poem you create a piece of art, when you perform a poem you are the art. If you haven't already, you absolutely have to watch these.

1. Neil Hilborn -- "OCD"

"I just think about who else is kissing her. I can't breathe because he only kisses her once. He doesn't care if it's perfect."

2. Sabrina Beniam -- "Explaining My Depression To My Mother"

"I'm not afraid of the dark. Perhaps that's part of the problem."

3. Belissa Escobedo, Rhiannon Mcgavin, and Zariya Allen -- "Somewhere In America"

"Maya Angelou is prohibited because we are not allowed to talk about rape in school. We were taught that just because something happens doesn't mean you are to talk about it."

4. Tova Charles -- "Suggestions From A White Feminist Poet"

"If you are offended, it is about you."

5. Olivia Gatwood -- "Alternate Universe"

"A boy told me he liked my hair the other way, so I shave my head instead of my pussy."

6. Rachel Wiley -- "10 Honest Thoughts On Being Loved By A Skinny Boy"

"I say, 'I am fat'. He says, 'no you are beautiful'. I wonder why I cannot be both. He kisses me, hard."

7. Guante -- "10 Responses To The Phrase 'Man Up'"

"Boy babies get blue socks. Girl babies get pink socks. What about purple? What about orange? What about green?"

8. Blythe Baird -- "Girl Code 101"

"13, the year dad says wearing short skirts in the city is like driving without a seatbelt."

9. Melissa Lovada-Olivia -- "Black Thong Underwear"

"What is the word for being lucky enough to turn something down? What is it mean if you don't care where your heart is as long as there is money in your savings account?"

10. Olivia Gatwood -- "Ode To The Women On Long Island"

"One more thing: when they call you a birch say thank you. Thank you, very much."

11. Tucker Bryant -- "Facts About Myself"

"I'm only 5'8". . . on a really good day. But being built like a short story is a lesson in finding other ways to be the tallest tale in the room."

12. Dylan Garity -- "Friend Zone"

". . . As if the only reason to be a good friend or a decent fucking human is if you get something in exchange."

13. T. Miller -- "The Difference Between A Girlfriend And A Woman"

"A girlfriend will compliment your outfit. A woman will compliment your whole existence."

14. Nayo Jones -- "Healing"

"Loving you is taking all the love I could not give myself and putting it to good use."

15. Katie Makkai -- "Pretty"

"'Will I be pretty?' I will wipe that question from your mouth like cheap lipstick and answer, 'No the word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be and no child of mine will be contained in just five letters."

16. Megan Falley -- "Fat Girl"

"Fat girl doesn't hate her body, fat girl hate the world. Fat girl fat mouth. Fat girl fatter fists. Fat girl fuck you!"

17. Steven Willis -- "How The Hood Love You Back"

"I'm not saying that I agree with what they did. Just saying I've learned not to judge a people for how they grieve.Learn not to judge the hood for how it loves you back."

18. Lily Meyers -- "Shrinking Women"

". . . And I wonder if my lineage is one of women shrinking, making space for the entrance of men into their lives. Not knowing how to fill it back up once they leave. I have been taught accommodation."

19. Sara Kay -- "If I Should Have A Daughter"

". . . But I want her to know that this world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don't be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it."

20. Shasparay Lighteard -- "Black Girl Magic"

"Go ahead, touch my hair without permission, but don't be surprised when my kitchen cuts you."

21. Patrick Roche -- "21"

"15. I come up with a theory that my father started drinking again because maybe he found out that I'm gay. Like if he could make everything blurry maybe somehow I'd look straight."

22. Franny Choi -- "Whiteness Walks Into A Bar"

"Whiteness, you are a bad joke everyone is too uncomfortable to laugh at."

23. Jeanann Verlee -- "40 Love Letters"

"Dear Miguel, you said a man never forgets his first redhead. What color are my eyes?"

24. Thadra Sheridan -- "Waiting"

"I'm sorry did they not cook that quite right? Did you want me to maybe have your mom come in and cut your toast into little bunny shapes? Would that help?"

25. Bianca Phipps -- "Almosts"

"But I do know I have poured over our conversations searching for the secret message you certainly tried to send me and I am sorry, but I only almost found it."

26. T. Miller -- "10 Things You Sound Like When You Say All Lives Matter In Response To Black Lives Matter"

"7. I say black lives matter, you say you don't see color. 8. I say Dallas, you say blue lives matter. I say I thought you didn't see color?"

27. Talia Young -- "The Virgins Lament"

"I'd rather be alone than alone in your arms."

28. Jenesis Fonseca -- "The Way To A Woman's Heart"

"The say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. There is no proverb about the way into a woman's heart. The way into her is more important."

29. Thadra Sheridan -- "Eggs And Toast"

"I'm afraid to buy toilet paper. Who knows, next week we'll probably find out they squeeze live baby sheep to make it."

30. Dylan Garity -- "Rigged Game"

"improving a school by picking its pockets is like tuning a guitar by ripping off its strings."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

182326
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9127
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453827
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24089
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments