Top 50 Spoken Word Poems
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Here are 50 spoken word/slam poems that might change your life, in no particular order. Check out these artists and the wonderful publishing groups that were so kind as to provide videos for these poets. Please give them a listen or a viewing because they can change lives!
50. «Dear Ursula» Melissa May-Dunn
Not only is Melissa an incredible woman, but she’s also an incredible poet and her work is consistently brilliant. This poem is addressed to Ursula after Disney decided to make her skinny.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
49. «Dear Straight People» Denice Frohman
Denice Frohman is a member of Sister Outsider, which is a duet involving herself and Dominique Christina. Both of these poets will be at Mount Holyoke in February. Denice is forever comical, intense, and wonderful at whatever she does.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
48. «To The Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter» Jesse Parent
Jesse Parent is poet, father, comedian, host, and suave as anything. This poem combines all of these qualities and showcases him at his best. This is a poem that will leave you with a smile on your face.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
47. «OCD» Neil Hilborn
If there is a poem that could change your life entirely, this poem is it. If you’ve ever struggled with a mental illness, be prepared to cry and relate and be moved.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
46. «Explaining My Depression To My Mother» Sabrina Benaim
In this poem, Sabrina painstakingly explains what depression feels like, and its connection to anxiety. Sabrina performs with her whole heart.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
45. «21» Patrick Roche
This is a story of loss and hardship and growing of age. It is heartbreaking. It is relatable. It is perfection.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
44. «Shrinking Women» Lily Myers
Lily Myers tells a story about women in her family and the urge to shrink themselves down. This poem is encouraging and eye-opening about the treatment of women in society. Lily is a true feminist.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
43. «This Is Not a Poem» Anthony Anaxagorou
This poem is political, strong, and essential in its content. A British poet, Anthony gives voice to many of the issues plaguing our world today, from violence to racism to discrimination. This video is not a live performance, but a photo montage of the events and situations he speaks of in his writing.
(Video Credit: Anthony Anaxagorou)
42. «A Letter to the Girl I Used to Be» Ethan Smith
While this video shows images of what he is discussing, the experience of watching him perform this, put his whole body and soul into the performance, and make an entire audience teary-eyed was breath-taking. Here’s a poet who understands world issues and is not afraid to confront them.42. «A Letter to the Girl I Used to Be» Ethan Smith
Ethan is phenomenal and this poem is mind-blowing in every sense of the word. This poem leaves you speechless and gasping for air.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
41. «Fantastic Breasts and Where to Find Them» Brenna Twohy
First, Brenna is a hero for writing this poem and performing this poem and being nerdy enough to even dream up this poem. Second, it’s brilliant and feminist and lovely. Third, you need to listen to it RIGHT NOW.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
40. «Falling In Love with a Divorcee» Eirean Bradley
This poem is so beautiful and so well-written and so Eirean Bradley that it will change the way you look at love, at divorcees, and at marriage forever.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
39. «Wile E. Coyote» Shane Hawley
This is one heck of a funny poem, until you realize the entire poem is an extended metaphor and then you get hit in the face with how magnificent Shane is about telling you what you need to know. Shane Hawley has changed lives across the globe.
(Video Credit: Matt Peiken)
38. «Pretty» Katie Makkai
If you need a poem to help you with your daughter, this is the poem. If you need a poem to make you feel empowered and feminine, this is the poem. If you need a poem to make you feel crazy awesome all the time, this is the poem. If you need a poem, this is the poem.
(Video Credit: crzylbrlchick)
37. «Today Means Amen» Sierra DeMulder
Sierra and this poem are so beautiful and so important and so necessary. Also, her book, Today Means Amen, is coming out soon. Go support this beautiful, awe-inspiring, talented poet!
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
36. «Dear Future Lover» Tasha Receno
If you ever write a letter to your future lover, Tasha Receno is the person to write it for you. This future lover won’t be ready for what will hit them.
(Video Credit: Vancouver Poetry Slam)
35. «To JK Rowling, From Cho Chang» Rachel Rostad
This poem puts a famous author in her place when it comes to racial identity. Rachel Rostad turns Cho Chang from the weak character Rowling created to this strong empowered woman that she could have been.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
34. «The Type» Sarah Kay
Originally written as a poem for her best friend, this poem speaks to a universal truth about women being categorized by men who like to «type-cast» them into various roles. Sarah Kay helps women everywhere break free of those molds and learn to love freely.
(Video Credit: Speak Easy NYC)
33. «The Hunger Games» Imani Cezanne
This is not about the movies or the books. This is about life and death, race and culture, and how to survive in a society that isn’t on your side.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
32. «Give This Poem A 7» Denver Brave New Voices Team
This is a life-changing poem by 3 students who are sick of what slam asks of poets. They don’t need to be coddled. They need to be inspired and driven. They are the future generation.
(Video Credit: John Garcia)
31. «Brown Boy. White House» Amir Safi
Growing up a minority, waiting for a world that accepts you for who you are, isn’t easy. Amir describes his experience with this and leaves you wanting to know so much more.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
30. «I Sing My Body Electric, Especially When My Power Is Out» Andrea Gibson
Andrea sends chills down my spine when they perform this poem. Only a poet of this caliber can write poetry that touches every single person in the room. This poem is for anyone who is seeking understanding.
(Video Credit: statsie15)
29. «Love, Sweat, and Tears» Alysia Harris
Some of the best metaphors ever written are in this poem and the intimacy with which Alysia performs this piece leaves her vulnerable and open. That vulnerability is the magic that is her art.
(Video Credit: donnstaaa)
28. «Body Image» MiKo Berry
Body image issues are not solely feminine and MiKo Berry demonstrates what it feels like to face body image issues and overcome them one day at a time.
(Video Credit: Evidently Salford- Spoken Word Poetry)
27. «Instructions for a Body» Marty McConnell
Perhaps one of the best written poem ever, Marty instructs the audience to praise their bodies. She wants to praise the flaws, the imperfections and the beautiful spaces of the body. There is only one word to describe her performance: joy.
(Video Credit: Spoken Poetry TV)
26. «Unsolicited Advice to Adolescent Girls with Crooked Teeth and Pink Hair» Jeanann Verlee
This is the best advice for adolescent girls. A poem for your teenage daughters or friends or siblings, it touches on every awkward moment or situation and addresses so many issues in the span of only a couple of minutes.
(Video Credit: Robotsonparade)
25. «Let’s Take It Back» Regie Gibson
This is the definition of art. There is rhythm, soul, beat, and performance. Regie Gibson is the IDEAL poet to watch for a poem that gets into your body and stays there.
(Video Credit: WeAreCSW)
24. «To This Day» Shane Koyczan
Shane is, first and foremost, a storyteller. He tells the story of confusing pork chops with karate chops and always being the outcast because of his flaws. One of the best lines in the poem is, «If you don’t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror.»
(Video Credit: Shane Koyczan)
23. «How the Ghetto Loves Us Back» Roger Bonair-Agard
Roger is funny, poignant, and strong in this poem about the ghetto. It is culturally relevant, sensational, and enrapturing, from the track suit down to the nail polish.
(Video Credit: Urban Renewal Program)
22. «Skinhead» Patricia Smith
When discussing spoken word poetry, there is no discussion without Patricia Smith. Essentially seen as one of the founders and leaders in the spoken word/slam community, she is the prime example of how to perform a persona piece.
(Video Credit: Urban Renewal Program)
21. «Death From Below» Dan Sully & Tim Stafford
By far, the funniest poem of all time. You’ll find yourself laughing about this poem days after listening to it. It is utterly brilliant.
(Video Credit: Brad Conover)
20. «Like Totally Whatever» Melissa Lozada-Oliva
A response poem to Taylor Mali’s «Like Lily, Like Wilson,» Melissa knows how to speak her mind and speak it well. She is not afraid to go head to head with one of the more popular poets in the slam community with this piece and use her voice to do it.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
19. «In A Too Small Kitchen» Sam Mercer
Do you like Hulk? Do you like breakfast? Good. Watch this poem. Sam Mercer makes the best Hulk.
(Video Credit: Granite State Poets)
18. «Escape Artist» Sage Francis
This verges on the more musical side of spoken word, but it is so well-written with some of the best images in any given poem or song. Even the puns are executed with style.
(Video Credit: Epitaph Records)
17. «Deodorant» Will Giles
This poem will make you think twice before buying deodorant. Will Giles is one poet who will take you on the ride of your life and leave you questioning everything you thought you knew by the end.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
16. «Rekia Boyd» Porsha O.
Porsha O. is an incredible poet. This poem may be one of her absolute best poems. It’s current and necessary and so very relevant in today’s culture.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
15. «Friend Zone» Dylan Garity
Dylan Garity refuses to give into the friend zone frame of mind. You can only hope more people listen to this poem and learn what nonsense the friend zone really is. This is the poem to share if you have a friend who just can’t take a hint.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
14. «Questions for Fox News Regarding the Race Card» Crystal Valentine
Dear Fox News, you’re all sorts of wrong. Also, what’s a race card? Sincerely, Crystal. The best critique of Fox News performed ever.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
13. «For Colored Girls» Miss Haze
Was Missy Elliott part of your childhood? This poem will bring you back and make you nostalgic for the old days of good music and female confidence.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
12. «Like Like» Theresa Davis
Theresa Davis is 100% fantastic 100% of the time. This poem is no different. Find out what she like likes in this poem.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
11. «Not An Elegy for Mike Brown» Danez Smith
This is NOT an elegy for Mike Brown. This is a piece of heaven performed on earth. This is getting sick of the same discrimination happening again and again and again. This is a plea for change.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
10. «When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny» Blythe Baird
This is about an eating disorder that was not recognized when it needed to be. This is what happens when fat girls get skinny and nobody thinks there is a problem.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
9. «The Colors We Ascribe» Emi Mahmoud
Emi Mahmoud was this year’s champion of the Individual World Poetry Slam. Is there even a question of how good she is? This poem will leave you silent, contemplative, and conscious.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
8. «Black Rage» Janae Johnson
Janae is powerful, passionate, and concerned about what black rage means in a society that has turned its back on its citizens. This is her response and her call for social justice. This is her rage.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
7. «Meauli» Terisa Siagatonu
Terisa tells the story of her family, her heritage, and her legacy. She understands what it means to look for belonging in the gaps.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
6. «More Words Than We Deserve» Sally Jenkinson
Sally discusses love, language, and feminine desire in relation to a loved one who may not understand how to give the love that is deserved. This is for Valentine’s Day and every other day.
(Video Credit: The Huffington Post UK)
5. «Meanwhile, In Post-Racist America» Raven McGill
Think we are actually in post-racist America? Think again. Raven McGill gives her description of what it is like in this fictional land of «post-racism.»
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
4. «Dry Cake Wishes and Tap Water Dreams» Rachel Wiley
Rachel Wiley knows intensity, knows how to wish horrible things like beige and oatmeal on the people that deserve it most, and knows self-confidence. This is for the ex that never knew how to respect and appreciate you.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
3. «Thighs» Desiree Dallagiacomo
Seriously, what is a thigh gap? According to Desiree, it doesn’t even matter. It is not necessary. It is NOT the definition of pretty.
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
2. «Argument for the Low Budget Gay Movie» Cam Awkward-Rich
The setting is a field. Can Steven Spielberg work with that? Cam can. Any indie filmmakers available?
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
1. «A Genealogy» Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib
Hanif breaks hearts, but in a good way. This is a story about a culture and a genealogy. This is Hanif’s legacy, his journey, and his belonging in a poem. What’s yours?
(Video Credit: Button Poetry)
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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Looking for a healthy dose of word play, rhythm, intense imagery, and engaging showmanship?
Look no farther than Spoken Word poetry. It has always been around, but with the emergence of Youtube and other social media platforms, the art form has seen a flurry of new, at times viral, activity. Whether you’re a newcomer Spoken Word, or an old pro, I’ve compiled a list of five powerful performances to share with you today. You may have caught these scrolling along your newsfeed, but I find it’s always rewarding to make a cup of tea and give yourself thirty minutes to enjoy the music, the metaphor, and the storytelling of Spoken Word.
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Anis Mojgani performs “Shake the Dust”
This is the Spoken Word performance that opened my eyes to the world of “Stage Poetry”. Offbeat, unexpected, and uplifting, Mojgani has much to offer in this poem. The performance exemplifies my favorite thing about the oral art form — a high premium on honesty and authenticity. There is no place for the tired or cliched in Spoken Word. The truly amazing performances are riveting precisely because you are in someone else’s thought-stream, pulled into the emotion and imagery as if the person were next to you telling you the story one-on-one.
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Blythe Baird performs “Pocket-Sized Feminism”
The timing in Baird’s poem is really what packs the punch. The last line hangs in the open, almost with an unfinished sentiment that is ripe with a disbelief and frustration with society’s stance on gender roles and stereotypes. This is a great example of how Spoken Word embraces the most difficult questions in our society and gives them an explosive, raw outlet. The issues are brought before you in a way that inspires awe and also an undeniable current of energy. The art is very community-based, and the energy in the audience, even a removed audience watching via Youtube, is palpable.
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Sarah Kay performs “If I Should Have a Daughter…”
Sarah Kay has certainly seen her fair share of fame lately, thanks to a few of her performances going viral on social media. This poem in particular is a fan favorite. Kay’s performance is riveting, her rhythm alternating between hushed pauses and weighty whispers as well as dazzling incantations and earnest music. This particular performance kicks off a fantastic TED talk and holds an entire audience on the edge of their seats. Kay’s combination of well-wrought imagery and passion is the driving force behind this piece. When you watch her perform, it truly seems as if she is throwing herself fully into her art.
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Shane Koyczan performs “To This Day”
A friend first introduced me to Shane Koyczan on a hunch that I’d enjoy his work and the missions behind his poetry. Koyczan is a delight. Not only does he use Spoken Word to further good causes, he also explores different vehicles for his rhythms and stories. In “To This Day”, he creates a colorful, beautifully timed animation to set the backdrop for his powerful performance. In other cases, it’s just him and a mic on stage. No matter the medium, Koyczan delivers warm, passionate, humorous, and thought-provoking performances that leave you energized and thinking you can make a difference in the world.
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Jared Singer performs “The last love letter from an Entomologist…”
I stumbled on Singer’s poem while cruising the Internet late one night. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of the title, but what came next surprised me. As someone with a life-long fear of spiders, I did not expect insects to be as romantic (albeit in a grotesque kind of way) as Singer makes them. This is truly a love poem, and it’s delivered in a quirky, comical, and passionate way that will intrigue even the most hardened cynic. Singer delivers his performance with an earnest tone that builds momentum as he works his way through the daily romances in the insect world, and works his way up to the reflection on his own love life.
That’s all I have for you today, but I encourage you to start searching around. There is a wealth of Spoken Word poetry on Youtube, so much so that choosing five almost seemed like madness. Button Poetry is a particular favorite Youtube channel of mine. I find that most of their videos get picked up and go viral — with good reason, as the poets they feature don’t shy away from hard topics and are exceptionally passionate. If you’re on the prowl for more great performances, I’d start there. Happy listening!
–Alexandria Petrassi
Sources
- Shake the Dust: TWLOHA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDtHdloK44)
- Pocket-Sized Feminism: Button Poetry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT74LH0W8ig)
- If I Should Have a Daughter: TED (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0snNB1yS3IE)
- To This Day: Shane Koyczan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY)
- The Last Love Letter From An Entomologist: Speak Easy NYC (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=B3wsSdPzAuQ)
Spoken word poetry is a new poetry form that became popular in the early 20th-century. It is one of the most important modern art forms. There are several spoken artists across the world who have chosen this form in order to share their views, takes, and stands on crucial social issues, orthodox cultural values, and prejudices. The genre finds its roots in ancient oral traditions and performances.
Spoken Word Poetry Definition
Spoken word poetry is a broad designation for the poetic works which are intended for performance.
This spoken-word performance art mainly involves a poetic text meant for reading out loud and a performer. Both are inseparable as the words are written for performance rather than to be read as it is, directly from the book or paper, without emotions and intonation. As an art form, it has a history that dates back as early as the classical era. Specifically, the genre gained traction in the latter half of the 20th-century. The term “spoken word” or “spoken word poetry” includes all the modern poems that are spoken aloud. It contains a number of features of rap, hip-hop, jazz, rock, blues, spirituals, and folk songs.
History of Spoken Word Poetry
The oral poetry tradition has existed in society for several years, through a cycle of listening, practice, and memorization. In ancient Greece, the lyrics were similar to modern-day spoken word poetry. Performance poetry has existed in Africa from prehistoric times. The genre developed in the United States in the early 20th-century. According to scholars, the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance, Beat Generation, and Last Poets played an important role in the development of the spoken word in the US.
The Civil Rights Movement also influenced this performative poetry form. The speeches delivered by civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ contained the elements of oral tradition and helped the development of the spoken word movement.
In 1973, the Nuyorican Poets Café was founded. It is one of the oldest venues of the spoken word. American poet Marc Smith started the poetry slam, designed to move poetry from the intellectual sphere to that of the masses, in Chicago in November 1984. In 1990, the first National Poetry Slam (a nationwide performance poetry competition) took place in San Francisco.
Elements of Spoken Word Poetry
Subject
The subject is what the poem is about. It includes the topics that in one way or the other have an impact on the performer or the writer. The main purpose of the spoken word is to give a message to society. Some of the recurring topics in spoken word poetry are racism, inequality, social justice, corruption, gender, and LGBTQ issues. Explore some of the best-known LGBTQ poems.
Gateway Line
The gateway line is the combination of the first few lines of a spoken word that are meant for introducing the subject to the audience. It could be the first line or a group of lines that tells the audience where the story or narrative is heading. This element contains hooks in order to entice the audience.
Motif
A motif is a recurring idea across a literary text. Spoken word poetry includes the repetition of one word, line, or idea several times during the performance. There can be one or more motifs that help the performer enhance the work’s larger meaning. For instance, In ‘Black Privilege,’ Crystal Valentine uses the line “Black privilege is the hung elephant swinging in the room” as a motif as well as the gateway line.
Wordplay
Wordplay is one of the important elements of spoken word poetry. It means to use a particular word in different contexts to create a punning effect. Wordplay also means the amalgamation of different images, emotions, and sounds in order to make the performance more lively.
Sound Devices
Spoken-word artists use several sound devices to create euphony. Those devices help the speaker to enhance their message, motif, and subject. The important poetic devices found in a spoken-word piece include:
- Alliteration: is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of adjacent words.
- Assonance: is the recurrence of the vowel sound in successive words.
- Consonance: is the reuse of consonant sounds in nearby words.
- Rhyme: is the recurrence of identical sounds in consecutive lines.
- Repetition: is the use of one word or idea several times across a text.
- Onomatopoeia: occurs when a word imitates a natural sound.
Power Line
The power line is usually the last line of a spoken-word poem that contains a hard-hitting message or one idea that stays longer with the audience. It emphasizes the main idea or the message of the piece. Artists use such lines in order to make their audience think even if the performance has ended. For instance, the last line of Nora Cooper’s ‘I Won’t Write Your Obituary’ leaves the audience awe-struck.
Best Spoken Word Poetry Examples
When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny by Blythe Baird
If you develop an eating disorder when you are already thin to begin with, you go to the hospital.
If you develop an eating disorder when you are not thin to begin with, you are a success story.
So when I evaporated, of course everyone congratulated me on getting healthy.
Girls at school who never spoke to me before stopped me in the hallway to ask how I did it.
I say, “I am sick.”
They say, “No, you’re an inspiration.”
How could I not fall in love with my illness?
With becoming the kind of silhouette people are supposed to fall in love with?
Why would I ever want to stop being hungry when anorexia was the most interesting thing about me?
This poem is about a speaker’s struggle with her obesity, her body, and her mind. The preconceived notions of staying thin and eating lean have not only made her fed up with her own body but also made her give up hope in herself. This piece contains the use of wordplay, poetic devices, and straightforward diction.
Hair by Elizabeth Acevedo
Momma that tells me to fix my hair, and so many words remain unspoken.
Because all I can reply is, “You can’t fix what was never broken.”
‘Hair’ by Elizabeth Acevedo touches upon the themes of identity, black consciousness, cultural assimilation, and pride. This poem is about a girl, who refuses to “whiten” her hair which is as beautiful as the way it is. She does not want to forget the history of blacks drawn by chains as slaves. Her strangled, curly hair is the symbol of their identity that she bears with pride. Explore these incredible Black Lives Matter poems.
Principles by Danez Smith
ask not what your country can do for you
ask if your country is your country
ask if your country belongs to your country folk
(…)
ask if your country was built of stolen land
and stolen breath, if democracy is a chain
tight as skin around your neck
ask if your comfort means elsewhere
someone is burying a daughter
ask if your comfort means round
the corner a man is dead cause a cop
mistook his body for a gun
ask if your comfort means broke schools
& food deserts on the other side of town
ask if your new apartment used to belong
to someone who couldn’t afford to look
like you, ask yourself if all the things
you are scared to admit …
Smith’s ‘Principles’ is a long poem consisting of five sections. This piece begins with a powerful repetition of the phrase “ask if,” interrogating the audience to look within and ponder upon the issues largely ignored. Through this piece, Smith wants to question what should be our principles to create a better society.
If I Should Have a Daughter by Sarah Kay
And you’re the girl with small hands and big eyes who never stops asking for more.
Remember that good things come in threes and so do bad things and
always apologize when you’ve done something wrong
but don’t you ever apologize for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining,
your voice is small but don’t ever stop singing.
And when they finally hand you a heartache,
when they slip war and hatred under your door and offer you handouts on street corners
of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that
they
really ought to meet your mother.
Spoken-word poet Sarah Kay performed this poem at TED 2011. In this poem, she describes a conversation between a mother and daughter on the issues that trouble the wide-eyed girl the most. This poem is also known as ‘B’.
Cuz He’s Black by Javon Johnson
Still, we both know it’s not about whether or not the shooter is racist, it’s about how poor black boys are treated as problems well before we are treated as people. Black boys in this country cannot afford to play cops and robbers if we’re always considered the latter, don’t have the luxury of playing war when we’re already in one.
This poem was performed at the 2013 National Poetry Slam semi-finals in Boston. In this personal and impassioned piece, spoken-word poet Javon Jonhson raises the issues of racism, inequality, and injustice through the conversation of an uncle and his four-year-old nephew. Read the best African-American poetry.
Spoken Word Poetry vs. Traditional Poetry
Spoken word poetry is an oral performance art form and traditional poetry is a written form of art. Traditional poems include a set structure, form, rhyme scheme, and meter. In the case of the spoken word, there are no set rules concerning how to structure the text. Most of the spoken-word poetry is in free-verse with varying line lengths and contains wordplay, repetition, and sound devices. Alongside that, it is performed in a dramatic fashion where the artist acts, modulates their voice, and assumes different personas in order to invoke life into their words.
FAQs
What is a spoken word example?
A spoken word example is any piece of poetry meant for performance. Danez Smith’s long free-verse poem ‘Principles’ is an example of the spoken word.
What is the difference between spoken word and page poetry?
The main difference between the two is that spoken word takes its quality less from the visual aesthetics on a page, but depends more on euphony, or the aesthetics of sound.
What are the characteristics of spoken word poetry?
Some of the important characteristics of spoken word poetry include the use of wordplay, humor, intonation, gestures, and euphony. The most important feature of the spoken word is that it is meant for reading out loud in front of an audience.
Where did spoken word poetry originate?
American spoken word poetry originated during the early 20th-century, from the Harlem Renaissance poetry. The art form is indebted to the ancient oral traditions.
- Slam Poetry: is a type of spoken word poetry that is performed at poetry slams.
- Free Verse: is a form of poetry with unrhymed and unmetered lines.
- Ballad: is a kind of verse that is narrative in nature and is often set to music.
- Ghazal: is a form of poetry that is constructed with couplets and rhyming words.
- Narrative Poetry: contains all the elements of a story and is normally longer than average.
- Alba: is a genre of lyric poetry from the Old Occitan period.
- Confessional Poetry: is a style of poetry that is personal and written from the perspective of a first-person narrator.
Other Resources
- Watch: How To Write Spoken Word Poetry
- Learn: About Harlem Renaissance
- Read: ‘The 17-Year-Old & the Gay Bar’ by Danez Smith
- Explore: An Eight-Step Guide to Write a Poem
What is Spoken Word Poetry?
Spoken word poetry is a form of poetry that doesn’t have to rhyme, but certain parts can be rhymed to emphasize an image or give it a lyrical quality. Spoken word poems will sometimes contain elements of hip-hop, folk music, or jazz to enhance the rhythmic presentation.
MY SUPERPOWER
-Line Gauthier
I have little control
over the world’s travesties
I have power
over little more
than my thoughts
my words my actions
so put away that sharp tongue
so as to never sting or slash
best choose to be kind
so as never to regret
the smile not given
the kind word or
compliment not granted
preferring
to love
wholeheartedly
and spread kindness
as best I can.
***************
SO THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE
-Line Gauthier
They’re big fans of themselves
basking in mirrored glory
their own shadows they adore
will talk your ear off
if you let them
they’re everywhere
I unwittingly attract them ~
I may as well be a magnet
they love me because I’m quite happy
being polite not talking about myself
gives them the whole stage to themselves
It gets old though when
I finally have something I want to share
how dare I want to hold the mike
for a whole five minutes in the spotlight
Guess what~ they can’t even pretend
to be interested ~ so that’s the end of that.
***************
Being Honest
-Rich Rogers
Shocking as it may seem to believe,
I dislike iTunes Christian and gospel genre.
The only explanation I can fathom,
Is that all its songs sound the same to me.
My preference is hip hop and pop,
Lecrae and Andy Mineo are my tops.
I do like Ariana when listening to pop,
Mostly I rock to the Apple’s pop.
I love J. Cole’s “Brackets” so much,
I even wrote about it for my class.
So much truth exposed in the song,
It’s impossible to ignore the message.
My focus effects my reality,
I keep Jesus as my centerpiece.
Without him, a me there wouldn’t be,
Connected like the roots of a tree.
***************
Mistakes
-TIMOTHY CARTER
Oh what a mistake I have made,
Traveled so far to end up this way.
Not in a million years would I have guessed,
That this idea was truly not one of my best.
Never had known things had changed so much,
We for sure had fallen so far out of touch.
So many different do’s , don’t , and bewares,
Actually has left me absolutely scared.
What a fool I was to ever believe,
That she would ever be in love with me.
At my age you would think I know better,
You can trust this will be remembered forever.
Oh what a terrible mistake I have made,
Wanting all these memories to just fade away.
***************
No walls
-Kale Brereton
Man didn’t create the planets
He didn’t make them spin
He didn’t create love
Or the warm feelings it brings
He didn’t create the unspoken language of hugs
Protecting love between
He didn’t create our smiles
Or the laughter it sings
Remember the unspoken language
Isn’t language at all
Its something that no walls
or borders can contain.
***************
Today Is A Gift
Eve Roper
Hold on to those moments
Of Spoken words of
Meaningful
Sincere
Love
Tomorrow might never
Become the present
***************
LOVE FROM ABOVE
by Line Gauthier
speaking from the heart with divine eloquence
streams of elegance
inner sanctum exudes angelic beauty
loving devotee
appreciating all marvels of the world
so much love unfurled
a most kind exquisite spirit knows no bounds
and as such astounds
speaking from the heart with divine eloquence
such lovely fragrance
love’s inheritance.
***************
A Whisper
-Jim Skinner
With the softest voice ,she speaks.
A simple caress implied.
My mind races with thoughts ,of exctassy,
vision blurred,I tried.
Shadows of glimpses,caught ,
some how, not heard.
The pure pleasure ,
the pain,
of the mere, spoken word.
Time hinges,on a thought,percieved
Whispers of the Love recieved.
Solid now in form and feel,
the word is a bond,
I know is real.
The heart given ,as it speaks,
a Whisper,
the soul yet seeks.
***************
Symposia
-Sandra Haight
Come poets all to our Symposia
to meet and share with others and debate
about an art to which you can relate
and learn about advanced criteria,
For turning thought into great imagery
with writing tools of rhythm, meter, rhyme
or where free verse or syllables are prime,
here at our wordsmith-skills menagerie!
Please come to share in the euphoria
as you present your own poetic voice
reciting one fine poem of your choice!
Come poets all to our Symposia.
You May Interest: Best Poems
***************
I’ll Love You Forever
-Michele gay
I’ll Love You Forever
I loved you then,
I love you still,
No matter what,
I always will.
Through thick and thin,
right and wrong,
I still love you,
And have all along.
I love you so much,
And things will get better.
I’ll never give up,
I’ll love you forever.
***************
If you love her
-Gershon Wolf
Listen to her with all of you
Your fists clenched
Your lips together
Your head moving, slightly, side to side
Perched on the edge of your seat
Tilt your spine forward
Search for the soul deep within her eyes
Gently … Don’t frighten her
Make her feel she is the most important person in the whole world
Nothing else matters except what she is telling you
Hear what is in her voice
Her interests … become yours
Capture her heart
Never let it go
***************
The Pain Game
–Jerry T Curtis
Why do people, want to cause
Other people pain
Where is the Love
That will break the chain
Someone says something
Then it’s tit-for-tat
I’ve played this before
We all know the score
Now who’s up at bat
I think it’s time, for us to play
The self healing game
Before there’s no one, left
Around to blame
One that’s more thoughtful
And much less insane
Let’s reach for the Sun
And help everyone
Come out of the rain
All we have, is this fleeting chance
To get this right
No time for jealousies
No time to fight
Don’t say, that you’re sorry
Don’t seek to forgive
Just start here today
And throw it away
And learn how to live
***************
Summer Of Enchantment
-Nicholas windle
Warm evenings have that lazy feel,
As the sun sets upon the day.
An orange ball suspended,
As all cares now swept away.
The exotic smells in the perfumed air,
That lies heavy all around.
Mimosa now that in full bloom,
As its branches drape the ground.
Do you ever look at the sky?
As the stars come out at night.
When you’re held by that someone specials arms,
And don’t want to say goodnight.
Though no spoken word is uttered,
As eyes gaze into eyes
It’s said there windows to the soul,
Mere feelings can’t disguise.
Love can just be fleeting,
With precious thoughts we steal.
And in that brief encounter,
We know that it’s for real.
***************
POETRY OF YOUR WORDS
-Line Gauthier
sometimes
it’s the perfection
of your expression
that touches me
in the depths
of my heart
sometimes
it’s the melody
of your words
that reaches
the inner ear
of my soul
sometimes
it’s the silences
of what is not said
that delivers
its charm to the roots
of my being.
***************
SEIZE THE DAY
-JAN ALLISON
I looked after an old lady and she always used to say
‘Three things never come back…
The spoken word, the sped arrow, and the neglected opportunity’
I look back on my life, yes I have regrets
Of the things I’ve done, or I haven’t done
The things I’ve said or I haven’t said
We must remember, life is all too short
None of us know what is around the corner
So seize the moment and do it now
Grab every opportunity you can
Tell people around you that you love them
For tomorrow may never come…
Carpe Diem – seize the day.
***************
Stay Strong
-Whitney-Renee Johnson
Don’t do it.
Don’t fall back into that dark hole.
Not again.
You’re strong.
You’re very strong.
You’ve come far and you are able to go further.
Don’t give up.
You got this.
I promise.
Mom is watching.
She’s proud of you.
Just because you made
A few bad decisions
Doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.
She loves you.
But you have to learn
How to love yourself.
You’re not that person who’s trying to take over your body.
Fight against her.
That’s not you.
You’re stronger than your enemy.
Don’t do it.
Don’t fall back into that dark hole.
Not again.
You ARE strong.
Now look in the mirror
And tell that reflection
That she is beautiful.
Because you are.
***************
Lines of Love
-Joy Nicole
I read about some love today.
I could only smile.
Closed my eyes
to that good feeling,
glad that yearning’s still alive.
I read about some love today.
Put myself in her shoes.
It made me giddy
that it was comforting,
Fell in love with the view.
I read about some love today.
Read the caution ‘tween the lines.
The nervousness
of the unknown,
but it eases over time.
I read about some love today.
Felt peace in what was theirs.
The type of love
so love filled,
that you mention it in prayers.
I read about some love today.
Only shed a single tear.
This isn’t love you just read about,
This is love that you must feel.
***************
A Little Knowledge
-Carole Duet
We are judged by lies and by someone else’s crimes.
They think they know so much but a little knowledge is dangerous stuff.
They can’t forget what others did to them to make the truth appear so dim.
So now we must fight or be in dark light.
Give us people who are strong who know right from wrong,
Give us those who are proud to fight for our youth and for truth.
We stand for freedom of the mind and love of a different kind.
Stand up oh ye brave hearts and do your part.
Let freedom of speech ring because a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
***************
She’s Coming
-Rich Rogers
Not meant to be alone forever,
Someone special is reserved for me.
I have the eyes of a machine, x-ray,
Color is society’s impenetrable gateway.
I want a woman I can be real with,
She appreciates me like she gets.
I pray she will be patient with me,
Being verbally open is hard to be.
Ecstatic to have a family of my own,
A foreshadowed dream in my mind.
My wife will change me in ways unseen,
I will be changed from who I used to be.
No roads are the same, only similar,
We will meet face to face I pray.
We each have our own path in life,
I pray one day I will have a wife.
***************
May the Love of Jesus Touch You
-Jim Pemberton
May the Love of Jesus Touch You!
May the love of Jesus bless and touch you!
May his presence be with
and uplift you!
May the joys of the love make
you complete!
And touch you, from your
head to your feet!
May the glory of the lord
be with and keep you!
His majestic power can really touch you!
May the words that he’s spoken,
touch your spirit!
His mercy and salvation…
He freely give it!
May the sweetness of Jesus,
into your life bring!
His righteousness and beauty!
Your everything!
May you take some time
with Jesus in prayer?
How much he loves you!
How much he cares!
***************
I Do Believe
-Rev. Dr. Samuel Mack OMS DD
“I Do Believe”
The purpose of LIFE is to {Living In Faith Ever}
to enrich God within us
to an optimum level
so that We as Humans
can be guided by God
to fuel out brothers and sisters
with the same driving force
to connect with the living God,
to His existence and
to See the Invisible,
Believe the Incredible, and
to Receive the Impossible
to our everlasting journey
to Heaven.
***************
Read Also: Famous Hyperbole Poems
Telling a story with words is fun, but being able to tell a story with a poem is even more challenging, imaginative, and entertaining for an audience. Spoken word poetry is a form of poetry where the author will present their poem to an audience, or out load, using narration. When you hear spoken poetry being performed, you will notice that there are many differences when compared to other types of poetry. As more of an oral language is being used, expressions and emotions are portrayed differently.
If you want to convey your opinions and thoughts through a performance, let’s take a look at some famous spoken word poems, as well as how you can write a spoken word poem yourself.
Get a complete guide to interpreting the poetry of the Romantic Era here.
Step 1: Select a topic for your poem. As with anything that you write, make sure that you have a strong and expressive opinion about the topic that you choose. Remember that you are going to have to incorporate a good deal of passion and feeling into reading a spoken word poem.
Step 2: Once you have chosen your topic, take some time to think about the subject that you have selected. Get out a piece of scratch paper and write down the initial words that come to mind when you think about your topic. When you are finished, look through your words and choose the one that you feel best explains your topic of interest.
Step 3: Go ahead and start writing your poem. Spoken word poetry is very free flowing, and you can use any and all different types of punctuation to get your point across. For instance, you can incorporate commas, brackets, or dashes into your poem. Your audience will not see your poem –they will hear it. For this reason, there are no rules regarding the number of beats in spoken word poetry.
Step 4: When you are finished with your poem, it is important to edit. Proofread it yourself or ask any friends or family to edit your poem for you. Remember that the length of your poem is up to you, but spoken word poems tend to be longer than other types of poetry. Take into consideration what others have to say about your poem, but keep in mind that you always have the final say in your writing.
Step 5: There are plenty of other spoken word poets that you can easily watch online. Observe how they perform their poems and what they use to grab the attention of their audience. Pay attention to the gestures their hand movements and gestures while performing. You can decide to pick and choose from other poets what will work best when it comes to your performance.
For tips on how to speak in public without fear, enroll in this course for public speaking the fearless way.
Step 6: Since the point of spoken word poetry is to perform your poem, the final step of writing a spoken word poem is performing it. When you perform your poem, it is important to do so in your own individual manner and style. You can mind your own performance style by practicing different wants that you feel comfortable expressing yourself. Before you perform in front of anyone, or a live audience, remember to rehearse your poem several times until you begin to feel more comfortable doing so.
5 Tips for Writing Spoken Word Poetry
Tip 1: Use Concrete Language
Spoken word poetry should incorporate certain words and phrases that can create vivid images, sounds, actions, and other feelings and sensations in your readers. If you spoken poetry is strong and rich with imagery, your audience will be able to feel, smell, and taste along with your poem. A good spoken word poetry is just like reading a good book.
Tip 2: Use Repetition
In any type of poetry, repetition is a simple, yet powerful poetic device. The repetition of a phrase or imagine will help to extend that particular thought or image beyond its original meaning. This can help the writer get a point across or exaggerate a point that they want to make.
Tip 3: Incorporate Rhyme
The use of rhyming in your poem can add to your performance and make it more entertaining and fun to follow for your audience. Use elements of surprise and moderation when incorporating rhyme into your spoken word poetry.
Tip 4: Attitude
Every poet’s poem will be unique, and they will also have their own unique perspective of the subject or topic that they choose to write and speak about. It is essential that a spoken word poem is able to capture the feelings that the poet has and covey them to their audience and the rest of the world. Be sure that your poem incorporates a certain attitude or feeling to your audience.
Tip 5: Persona
As a poet or write, you can portray anyone and any feelings that you want to in your poetry. For example, you choose to write your poem in the voice of someone else, or take on the opinion of another person that might be different from your own. Be creative and have fun with the subject you choose.
Tips For Performing Spoken Word Poetry
Posture: Be sure to stand up straight with your shoulders back, chin up, and head high. Look confident and assertive.- Eye Contact: Make eye contact with your audience, and do not star at the floor, your paper, or in one particular spot the entire time.
- Project: Speak loudly and clearly enough to ensure that your entire audience can hear your voice.
- Enunciate: Do not mumble.
- Facial Expressions: Use facial expressions when you are performing spoken word poetry. This will help your audience get an idea of a point you want to get at or your emotions that are involved with your words.
Posture: Be sure to stand up straight with your shoulders back, chin up, and head high. Look confident and assertive.Popular Spoken Word Poems
- Buddy Wakefield — “Convenience Stores”
- Kate Tempest — “Line in the Sand”
- LKJ — “Inglan Is a Bitch”
- Dizraeli — “Maria”
- TJ Dema — “Neon Poem”
- Toby T — “Tomorrow”
- Andrea Gibson and Katie Wirsing
- Shane Koyczan – “To This Day”
Speak Your Mind
Spoken word poetry can be used to give a person a voice that they can use to express their ideas, emotions, and beliefs on a wide variety of things. Poetry is real, so take the above steps and let your authenticity shine. For tips on learning, memorizing, and performing poetry, enroll in this memorization course taught by a professional language learning author and film studies professor.