Spoken Word
Share your poem by any means necessary.96 total reviews
Comment from alexisleech
That must have been a wonderful experience, and your poem tells it so well with fantastic rhyme and meter. Poetry is an incredible way of unburdening the soul, giving pleasure to others, and unleashing our hitherto supressed or unrealised abilities. Thank you so much for reminding me through your words!
Alexis x
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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That must have been a wonderful experience, and your poem tells it so well with fantastic rhyme and meter. Poetry is an incredible way of unburdening the soul, giving pleasure to others, and unleashing our hitherto supressed or unrealised abilities. Thank you so much for reminding me through your words!
Alexis x
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thank you, Alexis, for your kind review. Those poets amazed and inspired me. Yes, "Poetry is an incredible way of unburdening the soul, giving pleasure to others, and unleashing our hitherto suppressed or unrealized abilities."
Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin
Hi, Cat....
You make an excellent point about letting one's voice be heard. Poetry doesn't have to be perfect---it just needs to come from the heart.
I enjoyed watching your video. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'... Jax (*:*)
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Hi, Cat....
You make an excellent point about letting one's voice be heard. Poetry doesn't have to be perfect---it just needs to come from the heart.
I enjoyed watching your video. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'... Jax (*:*)
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thanks, Jax, for your kind review of my poem and for watching my video. Poetry does not have to be perfect; it needs to come form the heart. Thanks.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Your poem speaks volumes to all writers. I really was touched by your words. You did a great job expressing the ways poets used to share their poems.
Good job. No changes. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Your poem speaks volumes to all writers. I really was touched by your words. You did a great job expressing the ways poets used to share their poems.
Good job. No changes. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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jannypan, thanks for your review. I am amazed by the methods poets use to let their "voice" be heard. After seeing them, all writers should have less fear about sharing their work. Thanks.
Comment from jennifdrake
Simply amazing! I was with you from the first word -- so many readers can relate to this and be inspired to step up and be heard. Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Simply amazing! I was with you from the first word -- so many readers can relate to this and be inspired to step up and be heard. Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thank you, jennifdrake, for your kind, six star review. I am amazed that I wrote this poem, but I had to speak up to report what I witnessed at these open mics. Those poets amazed me.
Comment from tommyboywood
interesting take on read-ins. would have been nice to witness all the different ones do their thing. possibly tear-inducing. the one problem I have with this is the line:"who cowers in the audience at open-mics." after reading your notes as to who this was directed to, perhaps a bit more tact? seems a little harsh.
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reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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interesting take on read-ins. would have been nice to witness all the different ones do their thing. possibly tear-inducing. the one problem I have with this is the line:"who cowers in the audience at open-mics." after reading your notes as to who this was directed to, perhaps a bit more tact? seems a little harsh.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thank you, tommyboywood, for your kind review. For every poet who speaks at an open mic there are more in the audience, including the poet to whom I directed my poem, who "cower" and will never get in front of an audience. A number of reviewers of my poem shared with me their terror of public speaking. I will retain the harsh tone of "cower." Thanks for your review.
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cower: to crouch as in fear or shame. since you mention in your notes that your poem is about a person with cerebral palsy, it hardly seems appropriate. God forbid you should trade places for a day...
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Yes, I have worked with adults with cerebral palsy for the last twenty-one years and with my sister with mild CP for the previous thirty years. I am well aware that things may have turned out differently for me if something went wrong in my mother's womb or during delivery. I sat beside my friend at open mics. I urged, coaxed, pleaded, and begged her to perform but she is terrified. Meanwhile, all of her poet friends with disabilities are getting up there at the mic, published, and recognized. She should be up there. We may do another poetry reading together to ease her into it. For now, the best encouragement I gave her recently was to join FanStory. She is loving it. Thanks.
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one would hope the others you work with aren't being called names (yes, cower is related to coward) or being slapped with arbitrary or demeaning labels. if this poem was not about a real person with a real disability it might be forgivable. perhaps a bit of encouragement mixed with sincere empathy.
Comment from thee-name
Excellent poem. I enjoyed reading your writing.
For the wannabe poet
who cowers in the audience at open mics
who fears the voice whispered through quivered lips
unable to amplify the voice shouted within
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Excellent poem. I enjoyed reading your writing.
For the wannabe poet
who cowers in the audience at open mics
who fears the voice whispered through quivered lips
unable to amplify the voice shouted within
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thank you, thee-name, for your wonderful review. I am glad you enjoyed reading my poem.
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thank you!
Comment from Chrisfiore
Greetings Sis Cat,
Very nice poem, dedicated to the poet in all of us. I doubt there is a better lover of words than lies in the mind and heart of a poet. To see a flower or bird or sunset, each beholds the event individually and that is poetry, whether written, spoken or merely contemplated and borne aware. We all have it, yet when we see it in others... We marvel at its eloquence.
Such is the creature known as Man. ;- ) Chrisfiore
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Greetings Sis Cat,
Very nice poem, dedicated to the poet in all of us. I doubt there is a better lover of words than lies in the mind and heart of a poet. To see a flower or bird or sunset, each beholds the event individually and that is poetry, whether written, spoken or merely contemplated and borne aware. We all have it, yet when we see it in others... We marvel at its eloquence.
Such is the creature known as Man. ;- ) Chrisfiore
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Yes, Chrisfiore, this poem is dedicated to all poets who dare to write, speak, and share. Thanks for your review
Comment from patcelaw
I used to attend a church were a young man with downs could sing along with a tape and though we could hardly understand a word he sang, tears were brought to the eyes of many. It was so evident that he knew the Lord he was singing about.
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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I used to attend a church were a young man with downs could sing along with a tape and though we could hardly understand a word he sang, tears were brought to the eyes of many. It was so evident that he knew the Lord he was singing about.
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Yes, that is one of the miracles I witnessed. Even though I could hardly understand a poet, his message communicated to my heart. Thank you for your review and memories.
Comment from nomi338
Now see, This is what writing is all about. We speak for the speechless, we write for those who cannot. It is our responsibility to encourage those who lack courage to demand to be heard, to take the mic and to say what has to be said, to speak that message that burns within us, bubbling forth to emerge from our guts as a primal scream. "Listen to me! Hear what I have to say. You might not like it, but you must listen anyway!" You have written a powerful piece here Sis Cat and I applaud you for it. I must admit that I am just a little bit jealous, as I think all the poets / writers who read this should be.
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Now see, This is what writing is all about. We speak for the speechless, we write for those who cannot. It is our responsibility to encourage those who lack courage to demand to be heard, to take the mic and to say what has to be said, to speak that message that burns within us, bubbling forth to emerge from our guts as a primal scream. "Listen to me! Hear what I have to say. You might not like it, but you must listen anyway!" You have written a powerful piece here Sis Cat and I applaud you for it. I must admit that I am just a little bit jealous, as I think all the poets / writers who read this should be.
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Thank you, nomi338, for your kind, forceful review. I am still amazed by the measures poets take to be heard by any means necessary. They inspire me in my own poetry as my poem inspires others. Thanks for your six star review.
Comment from Delahay
It sounds as if the people you saw perform were some very brave people. There are a lot of people who are afraid of performing in public, or even in front of one other person. It is hard to gather the courage and confidence to put yourself and what you've created out there for everyone to see.
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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It sounds as if the people you saw perform were some very brave people. There are a lot of people who are afraid of performing in public, or even in front of one other person. It is hard to gather the courage and confidence to put yourself and what you've created out there for everyone to see.
Comment Written 03-May-2015
reply by the author on 03-May-2015
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Delahay, thank you for your kind, six star review. Silence and not the lack of courage is a poet's greatest enemy. When we realize that, performing in public is easy.
