A Poetry Slam at Clarkston High School began with a message from thousands of miles away in Afghanistan, but the issues addressed by poets throughout the night, connected humanity, despite any distance.
Poet Marzia from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project spoke to the crowd at the high school via video message before young poets from Clarkston took the stage to share poetry. Each read with deep emotion and expression, what Slam Poetry is known for.
Sisters Olivia and Madeline Maday created the Poetry Slam event last year for Madeline’s International Baccalaureate program.
‘We know not everyone is able to express themselves around the world,? Olivia said.
Women in other countries, like Marzia in Afghanistan, cannot express themselves freely.
Olivia said this year the event raised $450 for AWWP to help writers, but expressing themselves helps local participants, too.
“Young people do not always feel like their voice or opinions make a difference. They do not always feel heard,” she said.
Students at Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston Junior High and the high school could enter their poetry.
‘We wanted to unite Clarkston, and make teens feel like their voices are heard,? she said.
‘Sometimes young people feel like their words or voice do not make a difference. I heard many people who shared their poetry say they felt their voices were heard,? she added.
During the Slam, students talked about making the difference in the world, life, love, challenges and solutions.
In her poem ‘The Games We Play,? senior Clara Ricketts said children often play games as superheroes or another grand title, but somewhere we quit playing those roles. Her poems talked about politicians, parents, pain, poverty, challenges, distractions and reviving the superhero.
‘Because 10-year-old me had so many beautiful dreams;
‘And I am terrified of disappointing her. We’ll play this game;
‘Because at least we still stand a chance of winning it;
‘And if we do we’ll be remembered.?
Teens spoke about feeling awkward and alone or and feeling rejected like freshman Addison Gale wrote in her poem “14 Reasons to Cry at 4 a.m.”
‘I’m too weak to move. When are you going to bleed for me,? she asked.
Watch out, student Gabrielle Vollrath warned in her poem ‘Picasso Vampires? not everyone in the world is friendly.
‘Vampires are all around us, they’re the people who don’t encourage us, who exhaust us to the point of tears and Double Stuffed Oreos in a pint of ice cream crying because… Uncle Ben just died in Spiderman and why doesn’t anybody believe in me like Uncle Ben does in Peter Parker??
Junior Rachel Campbell shared her response to being asked why she cares so much.
‘My Mom wants to know why I care so much, I’m too young too care so much,? Campbell said.
‘I have to care with every nerve in me because you don’t.”
To all those who feel they cannot change make a difference in this big world, Olivia said every voice matters.
‘Every voice counts and even one small event can make a difference in world. Next year I will graduate, but I am hoping to pass the event on to younger poets.”