BY EMMA FRANZ
While many at CCHS choose to focus on sports and academic-based clubs, for a select group of young student writers, Poetry Club has their full attention. On Tuesday, October 29, CCHS’s very own poetry enthusiasts gathered in room 3447 after a change in events.
Originally, Poetry Club had arranged for a “Spooken Word” open mic to occur at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria on October 29, but due to a delay in planning the event, there wasn’t enough time for promotion and ticket sales.
However, that didn’t stop the creativity from brewing and the spooky poems from being shared. Although Spooken Word had been canceled, a smaller, more downsized version had taken place in club sponsor Mr. Fair’s room.
There, the visions of these inspired young poets transformed into reality. Those who were eager to perform their pieces took the floor by storm and made the audience feel their passion.
“I like when people can say whatever is on their mind.”
“I like the concept of open mics because I’m a big freedom of speech person,” Treasurer Andrew Cooper said. “I like when people can say whatever is on their mind. I really think it is a good outlet for expression.”
Typically, Poetry Club meets every other Tuesday to express themselves through the medium, but this Tuesday some members chose to share gruesome and gory poetry due to Halloween approaching.
Many students, even those who do not belong to the club, come out to open mics to express themselves. Poetry Club tries to create a safe place where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings and true selves.
“Poetry is a really good way for students to let out their sadness, their anger, their happiness and just organize their feelings,” member Gabriella Gavra said. “Open mics and events like these make me feel like I am not alone with my feelings.”
The room was full of enlightened young poets as one of the Jason Taylor and Bluapple Poetry Network teaching artists, Gabriela Martinez, provided the students with a quick poetry workshop to help prepare them for their upcoming competitions.
“Open mics and events like these make me feel like I am not alone with my feelings.”
“We, as teaching artists, want to work with these young poets at schools to help prepare them for their upcoming month-long competitions,” Martinez said. “It’s hard work and we guide them.”
Martinez will continue to share her poetic passion and guidance with Poetry Club’s members until they compete in the Louder Than a Bomb competition.
Even though Spooken Word didn’t occur, the smaller open mic was a success. Poetry Club has hopes of planning future seasonal and spirited open mics, the next one being in December.
“It turned out to be fun as well because we got to enjoy refreshments and share great poetry,” Co-President Ali Bennett said. “Even though we couldn’t do the slam, we are planning to do a PJs and Poetry holiday slam in December that promises to be just as awesome as Spooken Word would’ve been.”
Photo by Anabella Garcia
