Arkansas State Poetry Slam '05

Out of the confusion and quagmire of my everyday life, an angel took hold of me and whispered into my ear the words which she wished inked...

I rose up from the darkness without you.
                                              My Amerika.

I took these very words, twisting them, churning them, spitting out something which could be called beautiful...

$35 later, I find myself standing on stage, bellowing out the very creation I had birthed a mere 3 hours earlier.

My cherry was popped, I was no longer a virgin poet, standing nervously in the limelight, ranting out emotional pieces of constipated thought... I no longer have justification of flinging poo at the crowd.

But on to the good stuff.
It was the most fabulous event, 12 contestants, some I have met before, several I had not. I was honoured to be surrouned by such talent the last two nights, it was most surreal and fascinating.

I must extend much thanks to the following poets, for I was extremely honoured to have even been in their presence, much less compete along side them.. In no particular order

-Joaquin (Who placed first) artspeaks@hotmail.com
-IQ (3rd)
-Mo-man and Crisis   poetryinthestreets@hotmail.com
-Marc "SO WHAT" Smith (Yes, the fucking man himself) www.slampapi.com
-Among several others whoms names are fleeting at 3 AM.

Marc, damn man... You invented this shit, how'd you do it??? To shake your hand, it's like shaking the hand of a great ba... wait.. It is shaking the hand of a great bard, it compares to shaking hands with Homer and Shakespeare. To have you pop my cherry... That's like having sex for your first time with Aphrodites herself. I am so deeply honoured, and you handing me your tome, signing it... I'm humbled. And yeah, I did go on after that mic stopped working, cause as you said, I had something to say. Thank you Marc "SO WHAT" Smith

Mo-man... You're my long lost poetic brother, bigger of course. I love ya man, keep it rolling out. You and Crisis rock my grey matter.

Joaquin... This doesn't go out to you.. No, this is a thank you to the State of Texas for the atomic wedgies and noogies you received. This thank you letter goes out to the mothers and fathers that come into your class, glaring at you because they don't understand. This is a thank you that goes out to the Nascar fans that mute the commercials of the African town.

Now this is for you. You inspire me, I regret not having a teacher like you. All too often someone comes along, that you'll never know. Joaquin, you're a damn good teacher, despite what any redneck mother says.
This goes out to Trey,
who is openly gay,
living in Texas this way,
From day to day...
Jon rebuilds radios
He likes the way the static feels in his hands...
Jon is deaf, he sits in Mr.Zihautanejo's class, the bard of the most beautiful words.
Colton, who sits in the back of his class, draped in black, always watching, seen only by those whom matter. Must be a blessed life, being able to avoid those whom just don't care anyway.
This goes out to the people of Africa... Where as Joaquin says, "In Africa, they plant children into the ground and grow Angels... It happens, everyday." And damn it, I don't know if you'll read this or not, but because I care anyway... The Hokey Pokey is what it's all about.