poetry is wanted here

went to open mic poetry night at the orem library last night. i offered extra credit to my students if they went and a little more if they actually shared a poem. five came and five read. made me happy. i read two: this one and this one. i don't know why i get nervous. i teach all day long and expose myself at the front of the classroom, but for some reason sharing my poetry with people i don't know has a disconcerting effect on me. i'm proud of my students, for they were nervous too.

alex caldiero was the person leading the night. he read his poem "poetry is wanted here." i'd have to go back and check through my several notebooks, but i've heard him read this poem before. i really enjoyed hearing it again. he's powerful with words; his voice is so strong and booming. i'll post the text here, but you must hear him read it. click here, then click on wordshakers 2; he comes up at about 22:50. the rest of the program looks good, and i'll have to listen to it another time. just wanted to share. happy friday (i'm off to albany tonight!). here's the poem (snatched from here, oh, looks like you can listen to it here too, easier perhaps...this one gives a little background too):

Poetry Is Wanted Here

You don'
soun' so good.
Pleez
take care.


Most o' this is mental.
That's why it's terrorism: it's meant to
disconcert,
make you revert
to blind fear --
Poetry is wanted here!


And to boot,
our home-grown nuts
are starting to take root.
Yet in most parts
things are calm and generally subdued.
But there’ve been hoaxes
and folks is
getting anxious
and ready to conclude
that it’s hopeless and drear --
Poetry would be helpful here!


So i’m gonna poetize
to realize
that you cannot hide
when worlds collide,
no going inside
no taking a breather
either;
It all comes in on you at once
& you gotta have at least an ounce
of hope and joy
to deploy
into the atmosphere
of fear
to implode
the load
of grief that’s drawing near--
Poetry is desired here!


'Cause all peoples are
just like you are
and I are
close or far
are
just people with nowhere to run:
Let’s stick a flower into every gun
like way back when,
or was that a dream?
Cant say now
feeling so low
seeing so bleak
thinking so drear --
Songs are needed here!
Rhyming
& timing,
a rebirth of cheer --
Poetry would be good here!


BAM!
We are human
after all.
America
venerable
yet
vulnerable
and
human
after all:
That’s our true strength
& the real meaning
of this happenstance:
That we can fall
and scroll
and rise
and be surprised
and not take for granted
the morning sun so beautiful and dear --
Poetry is wanted here!


Forgive me for ranting
for panting
for chanting
out of tune:
That’s the fool in me
seeking a tune in me
wanting
to stay light and free
from what would oppress
depress
regress
obsess
and in general make a mess
o' my soul;
I wanna be whole
in control
on a roll
without the slightest hint of fear --
Poetry is needed here!


So my dear friend,
hang in
hang on
hang tight:
We gotta see this to the end;
We gotta be concern'd
and discern
the real enemy that we fight,
for the veil between truth and lie
is become so thin and sheer --
Poetry is wanted here!