Path of the Slam Poet

Attention fellow slam poets,
I suggest that if you've chosen to take the path
of stepping up onto-this-stage
that you don't do so to just "perform"
but that you instead approach the mic
with the intent to confess

To confess while understanding
that though this crowd may be your priest
here to hear your confessions
and this stage is may be your confession booth
that this mic...
is a direct connection to God
in which you don't need the priest to applaud
for your voice to be heard

So my fellow sinners
of slam poetry
when you step up on this stage
when you step into this confession booth
just be honest...

Cause many don't get the opportunity to worship in a sanctuary
where one can communicate the Truth within their conscience
and have it be received
by somebody

Yet it seems some who do get the chance
never advance towards it
because they don't truly believe
in the higher power
within the words that they weave
turning the opportunity into a chance
that they forfeit

But you slam poets...
are not one of those some
your not even one of the many

What you are is a part to an equation
that equals a sum of spiritual food for plenty

A soulful sum
filled with numbers of experiences, ideas, and adventures
that eventually will venture onto this stage
as a book
that always worth reading
with every page
a story worth seeing
that only you can show us

So my fellow storytelling sinners
of slam poetry
when you step up onto this stage
when you step into this confession booth
when you step back into the story
of what your currently living or have already lived
don't just give a performance that aims to please
instead please aim to express...

To arm yourself to ready, aim, and fire whatever word bullets you've wanted to release from the gun in your chest
but before you do
be sure to fill each bullet with the gun powder of authenticity
so every adjective, noun, vowel, and verb
that reaches the vicinity of your mouth
will form words that count

Words that bounce and ricochet
off the walls of your heart and mind
to penetrate the hearts and minds of mankind
forcing them to bleed out
bloody words of authenticity as well

So my fellow gun-slinging, storytelling, sinners
of slam poetry
don't just perform for us...

Cause the truth is
that while we may say we really want a performance
want we really need is to be washed over with your artistic integrity

and while we may appear to be asking for a show
what we truly plead for is to be redeemed from the sin
of our worlds dishonesty

So on this path of the slam poet...
recognize that the slam poetry you say here
for ears who can hear
and what your words reveal
to eyes that aren't sealed
offers not just yourself but all of us
an everlasting opportunity to come together as a spiritual community

So confess
express
and be honest
but never ever repent
for this...
is the poetic path you've chosen

The movement continues...
Rhetorical Artz