The Expressionists

          A human gateway of expression that dates back centuries is where people put words onto a stage and turn it into the offspring of theatre and music. Spoken word poetry has become viral in today’s culture; with so many forms and different techniques there are very few people who find it bitter.

 

          Take Kanye West, considered the most egotistical man ... well ever, finds time to perform slam poetry called "Self Conscious." Talk about irony. As he walks on stage with tags still on his shoes there’s no surprise that he's "the best dressed rapper out in the game." The poem explains how “the people highest up have the lowest self-esteem and his message is how society don't see how celebrities cope with themselves. With rhyme and rhythm, West puts down a dry, sarcastic twist on his performance.

 

          Keep in mind; one doesn’t have to be rich and famous to perform spoken word poetry. Even a child in those unfortunate pre-pubescent years can find a way to express themselves. Seventh grader Asha Christensen shares her thoughts on “Writers Block.” Describing an experience of the worst writers block as she “sees a spark up to grab at [her] hand, stretched out as far as [she] can and… Nothing.” With lots of character she enthusiastically shares her poem, and explains with a whimsical tone how everyone has those times where they can’t seem to find inspiration.

 

        And then there are some people, who take words and find a way to make them into a euphoric drug for audiences even as shallow as a kiddy pool will love. Shane Koyszan is one of those special peoples. In his poem “Crickets have Arthritis” Koyszan shares a story of pure endearment as he describes a story of a “fifty seven pound boy hooked up to a machine” that he meets in the hospital. Koyszan performs the poem with such profound emotion that one can’t help the moisture pooling in their eyes. His message is loud and clear in that no matter how bad things are going, someone else is worse off.

 

    As spoken word poetry becomes more and more popular, these poems and these people will always be remembered. Whether you’re a moronic, rich rapper or an inspiration to all poets, the words one speaks out are an artistic expression that no other art form can capture.

 

 

 

I Have a Dream

         One score year ago, my sister was born. Since then, I’ve had the luxury of everything handed to me. She had makeup. She had clothes. She had jewelry. She had an abundance of materials I could take without her knowing. It was a victorious time. One dreadful day, one horrific day, one indescribable day, she packed up all her belongings, and moved out. 



       Until I was fifteen, I could walk into my sister’s closet and grab whatever lustrous item I desired. Now when I reach into her closet, I feel nothing but dust.  I feel nothing but my tears stream down my face. I feel nothing but an empty heart and an empty closet. Every time I reach for her Chanel perfume nothing. Every time I go to grab her Steve Madden leather boots, nothing. All I see and feel in that old room of hers is broken dreams.



    But one day! One day those dreams will mend and I will see that room filled with materials only one can dream of. I have a dream that she will move back home. I have a dream that my sister’s most expensive clothes and shoes will touch my skin once more. I have a dream to never wear my own perfume again. I have a dream that when she wakes up in the morning and gets in the shower, I will stealthily sneak in and douse myself in all that is hers until I hear the water turn off. Then I shall run. Then I shall hide. Then I shall leave that house as fast as I can. But do not worry, I will return. I will grace that room again. The clothes need me. The clothes love me.



    As my sister returns and her room fills once again with the possessions I yearn for. Everyone shall rejoice. The people will rejoice. Society will rejoice. All will rejoice! Peace will flood our nation as I will have never looked better. I will send gratitude to the professors who flunked my sister out of university and I will thank god for this blessed gift he has given me. One and all will come together in eternal gratitude.  I will preach it until the day I die; long live my sister’s clothes!

Five Senses

Before the first step...

 



         As the murmurs and mumbles from the audience start to subside, I hear the loud "ding" over the speaker.  Silence hurries over the entire theatre. I stand with my heart beating at an unnerving pace and I feel the palms of my hands start to dribble with sweat. Being in the largest theatre on Broadway, The Gershwin, everything suddenly becomes real. As I see the red light backstage quickly turn green, my entire body goes into paralysis. Enchantingly, the orchestra starts the first song and the next three hours have finally began. With the most intense adrenaline, I wait on the side with butterflies’ pirouetting through my stomach wreaking havoc on my insides. The taste of dust and hairspray lingers on my tongue as the butterflies cease to stop corrupting my insides. My head starts to twirl in sparkles  and I start to smell the smoke machine on stage engulf my nostrils. Seconds before I step onto the stage, I take ten agonisingly slow deep breaths and there i go…

 

 

Cliches - Of Mice and Men Scene

      
        George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone. Curley’s wife slowly strutted towards George; with a curious look in her eye she murmured quietly, "Busy as a cat on a hot tin roof eh?"

   "Sure am," said George abruptly. "And you’re hotter than a two dollar whore aren’t ya?"

          Curley’s wife shifted on her feet, "Ya better watch that running mouth of yours, Curley won’t have any of that."

   "What’s Curley gonna do? “He can't do anything when the rubber hits the road!"

Astonished, Curley’s wife’s face turned white as a sheet.

    "I beg your pardon?" she yelled. "Better be careful or I'll punch your ticket."

   All of a sudden Curley’s wife whacks the back of George's head with a stake. Instant panic struck her face as he hits the ground.

"Oh dear oh no!" she screamed nervously. She then picked up her skirt and hit the ground running!

 

Prima Donna in Stripes

           Imagine a tiger, dressed up in 6 inch leather platform boots, pink sparkly bunny ears, smoking out of a diamond studded cigarette holder and dozing off to sleep. Although it’s hard to grasp, this odd mess of a creature happens to be scuttling around Nicole's mind at this very moment. Nicole's optimism and over confidence is portrayed perfectly by Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. As everyone knows, the most famous musical group came from England. They sang all the chart toppers, all the number one hits and all the catchiest tunes. Obviously, they were The Spice Girls. Scary Spice was the most talented and outgoing spice girl so it's fitting that she defines Nicole in every way with her stunning voice. Staying on that side of the ocean, Bridgette Jones sneaks her way into Nicole’s personality as well. Scatterbrained, witty and a complete mess, Bridgette shares Nicole’s interest in writing and journalism. Nothing like Bridgette, but also a strong woman powerhouse is Audrey Hepburn. Audrey’s success in film, musicals and charity is all but a look into Nicole's future. Also, Sleeping Beauty wiggles her way into Nicole's persona; for one reason only, she’s always asleep. If someone ever does see a tiger dressed up to the nines, hopefully Nicole will flash into there mind. An original prima donna influenced by an array of characters.