Poetry Slam For English.

I walked into my class to see all of my students from all my periods with papers in their hand. "Okay class I am aware you are feeling a bit crowded in here but trust me its going to be worth it. Now I am excited to here all of your poems. I am not going to call names just wait for volunteers but you ALL have to go." And at the end I will hand out your critiques with your grades while you hand me your poems. And I will announce the winner tomorrow." I sat down on a desk. "Alrite who has the floor first?"



OOC: I will announce the winner on my next assignment post.

"I'll go." I said raising my hand the quicker I get this over with the better. I got to the front of the class with my poem in hand. I was about to start when I noticed that Camryn was here. She looked more beautiful then when we last saw each other. She had on some brown shorts with one of those half tops they used to wear in the 80s and some sandals with her hair straightened. Now I waas more nervous then ever. "My poem is called Boardwalk With Me."



I looked up and everyone clapped. "Very good Mr. Simmons. Changing the stereotypes of jocks I see." Ms. Kingston said writing on her papers. I handed her my poem and as I headed back to my seat I felt my phone vibrate. I snuck a peek to see a message from Camryn that read: That was beautiful Elijah . I sent back: it was about you.

I took the paper and began writing my grade on it. "Ok who's next?"

Jason hated poetry. He hated writing it, reading it, and analyzing it. It was too soft and cushy of a subject, and it bored him to no end.
So when the teacher said that he had to write a poem about love at first sight at read it at a poetry reading, he almost wanted to drop the class. He had never experienced love at first sight, and wasn't exactly sure he even believed in it. The only girl he ever dated was a fellow Freshman at his old high school, and even then, he never loved her.
A guy read his poem in front of the class, and Jason wanted to vomit. Even he couldn't churn up the amount of bullshit in that poem.
"Who's next?" The teacher asked, and Jason cringed. He didn't want to read his, but he knew if he did, it would be over with.
"I'll go." He said, standing up. He pulled the piece of folded up paper out of his pocket and stood in front of the class.
"I do not believe in love at first sight.
It's a thing for daydreamers and fools
Love takes time and effort to get right
It's not something you can learn in schools.
My cynical view is easily brushed off
by people who want to believe.
They'd rather be sensitive and soft,
than find love as something to achieve."

My newest student went up and read his and it caught my attention. "Good Jason. You notice students he did what he was told in a none traditional way. He stuck to the assignment and to himself. Well done Jason. You can bring me your poem now please." He did so and I thanked him before he sat down. I began grading it and said, "Next volunteer."

Mrs. Kingston asked who was going next and I raised my hand. "Oo oo me!" I walked up there and looked at all the people. I smiled widely and said, "I'm Camryn Stevens and my poem is called I Felt It."




Everyone clapped and I cheerfully gave my poem to Mrs. Kingston.

"Very good Camryn. Bring me your paper," she did so and returned to her seat. Cheerful one that's for sure. "Ok looks like we have one more student. Go ahead I know everyone is ready to go home." I said knowing I was ready to go home. I had a lot of thinking and grading to do for next class.

Harmony was last, and after the "bundle of joy" that Jason Merlotte's poem was, Harmony was in less than a stellar mood.
She grabbed her notebook and stood up in front of the class; as the only freshman, her poem would be short, and somewhat lame.
"Unfamiliar;
the first day of my new life
a star will be born."

"Umm ok Harmony that was...good. Alright everyone that was very good and now you may go. Here are your grades." I said standing up and handing them there critiques as they left. "You have any questions just let me know. Have a good day you guys."


OOC: Grades will be PMd and you can reply to it with questions.

Alexa closed her eyes. She did NOT want to go for the poetry slam. Luckily, the other students had gone and she had dismissed everyone. Alexa was typically forgotten, she was used to it. She picked her bag up and ran over to Ms. Kingston. "Um, hi. I think you kind of forgot me. Is it okay if I go right now?" She asked, thankful no one could judge her for her ugliness of speaking.

Another student approached her asking to go now. "Oh my Alexa I didn't even see you there. Of course you can go now but why didn't you say anything before?" Alexa was one of my quiet students. She was very shy and timid. I wanted to break her out of her shell. I sat down in a desk and awaited for her to speak.

Alexa sighed, "Well, I was...I got scared. I hate speaking in front of people." She told the teacher.

Alexa seat her bag on the ground and pulled out the poem. She's as bad at memorizing as she is at talking in public. "This one's called: Don't Waste Life."

Here I am, walking through time
taking these steps, through this life of mine
Where am I now, and where will I go
Is it all an illusion? - I really don’t know.

Days seem to pass, before long it’s years
While I’ve been contemplating life's hopes and Life's fears.
Watching and waiting, just looking on
before I knew it, my whole life had gone

I awoke from Life's dream, and now here I stand
Looking back at my life with God at my hand
I learned about life and the meaning of love
amidst tears of pain, but was that enough?

In life we can live out our dreams if we want to - its true
the one who decides, takes chances, makes choices
IS YOU

So before you let your life pass you by
think of these words, Live your dream - don’t be shy
All you need, you have within
So live your dream now, let YOUR life begin

Her eyes were closed the whole time. She opened one eye and smiled. "Oh...done."

I had my head leaning on my fist as I let Alexa's poem take me on a ride through her thoughts. When she finished I gave her a soft smile. "That was beautiful Alexa. I'm sure your classmates would have loved to hear it. You shouldn't be so shy," I said approaching her. "You have a talent that you should share with the world." I reached my hand out to receive her poem and the other giving her her grade,"You can go now honey." I watched her leave and I sat at my desk. I sighed. As I looked through papers. This was going to be an interesting year.

I ran into the classroom to see everyone was gone. "Crap I'm too late." I turned around to see Mrs. Kingston sitting at her desk. I walked over holding my poem,"Hey my bad but I got caught up in some sh-...I mean stuff. I have my poem an everything already."

"You actually are late, very late might I say. But I will accept your poem anyway but I am taking 20 points off. Go ahead." I sat and listened. This is not going to be a habit.

"What 20 points! Ugh fine." I walked in front of the desk and began reading.



I handed her my paper and she gave me my critique. I put it in my backpack without looking I knew it was a bad grade so why bother. "Bye." I said as I rushed out of there. I had to get to the gym to see what I could get into there.

She ran out so fast I couldn't even say anything to her. I grabbed my things and left out. I have my work cut out for me.