Many people know how poetry affects the writer—emotions pouring out, heart pounding, mind overwhelmed. However, most do not realize how frequently people can relate and be affected just as greatly when the words are spoken.
On Friday Sept. 14, “Flow With It Friday” displayed just that, beautifully. After Robert Durant’s powerful performance at the New Student Talent Show, I was curious to investigate what other students at UNH had to show. Casey King acted as the host of the small but powerful event. She is Vice President of the W.R.I.T.E. Poetry Club and had the audience going with her one-liners and DJ skills between acts.
She also performed four poems, including “Don’t Let Them Tell You Poetry Is For the Birds” and “I Am a Work In Progress.” W.R.I.T.E. President Crystal Robinson also wowed with a poem about fighting her demons.
Felicia, a Southern Connecticut State University representative, shared personal poems about overcoming depression and uplifted everyone in attendance. Other acts included a spin-off of “The Telltale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, and poems about almost everything: love, anger, suicide, respect and everything in between.
There were two acts of meaningful poetry that really stood out from the others. DJ shared songs that he wrote with his cousin in 1995 and in 2010, a confession and a religious song. While wildly different from each other, both got the crowd clapping and swaying throughout. Stephen Shepherd also stood out with his “Ode to Silence” joke and his “Snake” poem. The poem was told to a snake and complained about its activities while giving it a regal personality.
Overall, it was quite intricate. He also then showed a special talent that most people do not even know exists. His throat acted as a guitar making all the proper notes on key while he played the air guitar. Everyone was impressed.
For those who attended, “Flow With It Friday” was an emotional and impacting night. Everybody involved had the opportunity to express their feelings without judgment. Each act was followed with words of praise and a close-knit family feeling.
I recommend everyone try to look out for the next event. One will be held each month until the end of the semester and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
