The Pursuit of Happiness (Sienna Johnson)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet named Sienna Johnson, hailing from CO. This poem is provided as both a spoken word poetry performance and a written poetry piece. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read he poetry -- take the leap by, submitting, commenting, and following. --Slam Poems Editor 

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The Pursuit of Happiness from Sienna Johnson on Vimeo.

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The Pursuit of Happiness
Humanity is just a blip in the cosmos in the grand scheme of time
According to the Cosmic Calendar, the average years of human life is equivalent to only zero point one sixth of a second

Touch (Johnny Levy)

Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read he poetry -- take the leap by, submitting, commenting, and following. --Slam Poems Editor 

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Great Art? (Matt Redder)

The following haiku was submitted by Matt Redder, hailing from Arizona. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece. Leave a comment to move this poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read he poetry -- take the leap by, submitting, commenting, and following. 

 --Slam Poems Editor 

Great Art? 

What makes the art great? 

Is it interpretation

Or my intention? 

Remembering Mary (Phil Ginsburg)

The following slam poem was submitted by Phil Ginsburg, hailing from Colorado. This poem is provided as a spoken word video poetry performance. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Participate in this slam poetry community by, submitting, commenting, and following. 

 --Slam Poems Editor

Remembering Mary [VIDEO]

All About You (Kia-San)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet who goes by the name "Kia-San", hailing from Philadelphia. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't forget to participate by, submitting, commenting, and following.  

All About You

"Our talks are priceless when the meaning behind the conversation goes a long way

It's actually an exciting thing I should say

Because every word ends in laughter all day

Oh, but that's not all; our hopes and dreams are just as grand

That one day we make it to the other land

Baby take my hand!

Oops! So sorry! 

In the moment, you understand?

Where I was going with this conversation

though I tremble in desperation

Looking for words to say my declaration 

Without causing aggravation 

Oh dear, help me describe what I'm feeling

Because my heart is beating

Maybe I should send a letter

But that would simply be cheating

Haiku Challenger 3: Perfect Haiku (Tim H.)

The battle is on!  The following haiku was submitted by Tim H., from Colorado. This is for the Slam Haiku competition. Submit to compete. Comment to elevate this haiku in the rankings.

Perfect Haiku

A perfect haiku, I think I'll try to write one. I'm a failure.

Haiku Challenger 2: Ripples (Isaiah B.)

The battle is on!  The following haiku was submitted by Isaiah, from Seattle. This is for the Slam Haiku competition. Submit to compete. Comment to elevate this haiku in the rankings.

Haiku Challenger 1: Rest (Sarah)

The battle is on!  The following haiku was submitted by Sarah, from Colorado. This is for the Slam Haiku competition. Submit to compete. Comment to elevate this haiku in the rankings.

Rest

Rest is elusive
Life beats down relentlessly
Peace is worth the fight

Untitled (Darby E.)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet who goes by the name Darby E , hailing from Texas. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Participate in this community of slam poets by, submitting, commenting, and following. 

Untitled

Ghosts have no need for candles

   cannot dictate how their birthdays are celebrated

   if they are remembered at all.

It is we the left behind,

   that make all of the rules,

   poke at the pain and choose what we want to store in our heads.

We.

Choose.

September Contest: Haiku Challenge

I recently got back into writing haikus (shout out to Isaiah at www.itjsart.com for inspiring me!)  I'm remembering how useful it is to force myself into this tight, small format. Haikus are three line poems, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line. The force you to focus, and to conserve language. 

The September Slam Challenge is to write the best haiku. Do it!  Submit here when you're ready. 

Here is my most recent series, for reference and inspiration: 

Introspective Wolf

Do you think a wolf

Always knows he is a wolf?

Or does he mean well?

Watcher

I do not only 

Listen to a man's advice.

First I watch his life.

Knives Out

A harmless request

Invitation to engage.

But will you stab me?

Connection

The thing I can't live

Without: connection with You.

To unplug is death.

Transmission

I quietly write

Into the cosmos for all

Or none to see it.

Uh Oh!

I wonder if the

Satellites can see me when

I am pooping, yo.

Music to Write To: "Empty Crown" (Yas)

Music stirs creativity. Try playing this track while you throw down onto the page. I've had this one on repeat. It's called "Empty Crown" by Yas. Happy creating!     --Slam Poems Editor 

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Black (Franko)

The following slam poem was submitted by Franko, hailing from Louisiana. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece.  Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Remember to participate in this community by, submitting, commenting, and following. 

Black

Black is symbolic of love and pride 

It is a symbol for which my ancestors fought bravely and died 

The dominant figure in society is the man who claims propriety 

Is what some men say, but is untrue 

Black is not to be ashamed of or hide 

For Black and Pride Coincide

Overwhelmed (Tim Hernandez)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet who goes by the name Tim Hernandez, hailing from Colorado. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece, and addresses the search for truth and peace. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read he poetry -- take the leap by, submitting, commenting, and following. 

 --Slam Poems Editor

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed
But who's not
Once I could think
But of what,
I forgot

My mind is caught
Inside a thought
Too big
And now it's
Bursting

What is true?
Am I, are You?
A dry well ever
Thirsting

This knot entangled
Synapse strangled
Mind encased in
Doubt

Can't find an end
Maybe my friend
My heart can help me
Out

Anxiety ridden
Emotions hidden
Tense and short of
Breath

Run away
No! not today
This time I'll face this
Death

I'm far too weak
Too shy too meek
Too insecure
Too immature
Too dumb too scared
Mentally impaired
Too useless
Too awkward
Too Broken

Searching for something
For someone to put my hope in

No one but You
Eternally true
Breathe me out
Breathe You in
Let it soak in

When I lose sight
Please hold me tight
And never cease
Overwhelming peace

Feelings (Austin J.)

This slam poem was submitted by a poet named Austin J., hailing from Germany. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece, profoundly personal, deeply painful. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Make sure to leave a comment.

 --Slam Poems Editor

Unloved

Today was a bad day.
I cried again.
Not that anyone would care.
I argued with them again, about something that's important to me.
Like always they don't understand and they don't care, or they just don't want to care.
It hurts.

The Painter (hitalot879)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet who goes by the name "hitalot879", hailing from Connecticut. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece with beautiful natural imagery. Leave a comment to move this slam poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read he poetry -- take the leap by, submitting, commenting, and following.    --Slam Poems Editor 

The Painter

I saw the artist paint with brush,

The setting sun, the lengthening shade

The near and further distant hills,

The valley where the lily shows its blade

And hides the nest of the noble thrush

He painted the valleys with their streams,

The giant oak and the stately pine

The quaking aspen leaves afloat

The evening breeze of summertime

And he left me standing lost in dreams

He mixed his colors in varied hue

As clouds suspended from the sky

From swaying limbs where the robin sings

And the eagles nest in mountains high

Beneath a sky of azure blue

It's here the artist stops and stands

Spellbound, he cannot overcome the spell

The sun, now set, has changed the scene

With different colors in the dell

He cannot match the master's hand

EDITOR'S PICK: Shake the Dust (Anis Mojgani)

The Mission of Slam Poems is 1.) to showcase great slam poetry, and 2.) to create awesome conversations. 

For these purposes, I frequently post examples of  the best slam poetry performances that I have come across. This is a means of inspiring the slampoems.com community.

This slam poem model of excellence is called “Shake the Dust” by Anis Mojgani. I was inspired by the ferocious hopefulness, and the precision of delivery in this piece. I also appreciated how he crosses lines by delivering a message of hope to people on opposing sides of the equation: the bullies and the bullied, etc.

The site thrives on engagement from the slam poetry community.

We’d love to hear your comments on this one. What can be learned from this poet?

--Slam Poems Team

 
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Hardships of Life (Callum Finlay)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet named Callum Finlay. This poem is provided as a written poetry piece, and is a painful, bit ultimately hopeful look at life challenges.  Leave a comment to move this poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read poetry -- take the leap by submitting, commenting, and following.  

--Slam Poems Editor

Hardships of Life

He comes home early to a pile of bills,

Working 60 hours a week there's no time for thrills,

Man of the house he's got to provide,

Food on the table for his family to survive,

He's just a blue collar guy,

Trying to get by,

Dark Thoughts and Great Movies (Mr. Brightside)

The following slam poem was submitted by a poet who goes by the name "Mr. Brightside." This poem is provided as a written poetry piece, and is a powerful, vulnerable, questioning piece that leverages dark humor for effect.  Leave a comment to move this poem up in the rankings. Our poetry comment system is intended to facilitate feedback for our artists, and to promote creative communication. Don't just read poetry -- take the leap by submitting, commenting, and following.  

--Slam Poems Editor

Dark Thoughts and Great Movies

They say most girls dream of being a princess and want to be rescued by the prince. What about the boys? I for one wanted to be the prince, find my true love and live happily ever after. Isn’t that what most of us want. I did not know the story ends with the princess sleeping with all 7 dwarfs the Ogre and even the donkey too. Why can’t we be like penguins or seahorses or better yet a Werewolf? Damn you Morpheus and your red pill. (yes, I just referenced Snow White, Shrek, National Geographic, Twilight and Matrix, that’s how messed up my head is).

Find Your Giants

If you want to grow as a poet, stand on the shoulders of giants. I know you have heard this phrase before, but stop and take a moment to think about it. 

The greatest poetry movements in history have happened when great poets became FAR greater through associating with, and being sharpened by, OTHER POETS.  You can look at the Modernists, the Romantics, and even modern day poetry movements to see this principle in effect. 

As poets, I think we are innately independent. Creation is such a personal process. It takes a lot of humility and work to seek out people that are greater than you in your craft. Most won't do this, and will thus be limited to the confines of how far they can grow in themselves. Not saying  you can't grow without major influences -- but you will be limited. 

A wise man once told me that he seeks to find the rooms where he can be "the dumbest guy in the room." In other words, his strategy to become great is to associate himself with greatness, and learn from greatness. This is a key to exponential growth. 

Find heroes. Find people who are ahead of you in your craft. Find people whose art you respect (maybe poets, visual artists, playwrights, whatever), and make contact.  This principle doesn't only work for poetry -- it works for business, faith, and any category in which you are pursuing growth.  Find your giants, and make contact. 

You heard me!  Make contact. Shoot an email or a Tweet to someone who you think would never respond to you. Instead of telling them all about yourself and what you're doing, ask them penetrating questions that invite them to share their wisdom with you. For every 50 attempts you make, you might get one response. 

But that one response could be a life changer. 

Come on, you're a poet! You're bold, and passionate, and persistent. I know it's scary. 

I know because I am in the process of doing this right now. It's scary. But I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. 

Find your giants, and grow!  I would love to hear your comments if this impacts you.  Even more, I would also love to hear about your results if you put this into practice. 

--Johnny Levy, Slam Poems Editor

Stand (S.M.B)

Stand unabashed to face the world

That starved you 

Refuse to starve

That segregated you

Refuse to be separate 

Stand as one unbroken by the world

That judged you

Refuse to live in a box

By standards of others

Live and breathe and know life

Stand as One in the world so that it knows

Your color is its color

Your voice is its voice

Your hearts beat is its heart beat

your life is its life mad or sane  

Stand

Champion (Ethan)

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EDITOR'S PICKS: Things Unseen (Theo Wilson)

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EDITOR'S PICK: Confident Uncertainty (Micah Bournes)

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EDITOR'S PICK: Jaime (Alert312)

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Perfect Strings (A Star)

I can't sleep
My head is pounding
I can't stop thinking
Everything's going wrong
God bless me so this headache will go away and I can sleep
It's no use
Tear slicked eyes
My mind reminds me of everything going wrong
I can't stop thinking
Running through scenarios
And memories
And none of them happy