No Profound Language, Please

Zoe Korte -12 and Abbey Ranson-12

12/12/2018

The 2018 KHS fall poetry slam went off without a hitch.

The poetry slam took place on December 5 at Take Root Café, a nice change of scenery from the first slam, which took place at the KHS library. Take Root is a much better fit for the crowd and performances with its small auditorium-style theater and elevated stage.

Compared to previous poetry slams, this one was not as crowded, most likely because it was not as publicized. Poetry club leaders Trinitie Funk (11) and Trenten Maize (10) were concerned there would not be enough entries to last an hour, but a small number of performers came through with around 30 moving poems.

When introducing the slam and the rules, poetry club co-president Trenten Maize accidentally said, “All that we ask is that you don’t use profound language,” meaning profane language.

The audience understood what he meant, but Ms. Anderson stepped up and said, “Actually, all the profound language, please, just no profanity!”

Poets in this fall’s slam were from every class at the high school. There were even a couple of Truman students who came to perform. Around 40 parents and fellow high schoolers were in the audience to support their friends and family.

Poetry club vice president Trinitie Funk delivered a lengthy, syncopated poem about rocky teen relationships and another about what it means to be American.

On the subject of love, Trenten Maize wrote and performed a piece about breakups and how apologies don’t heal wounds as much as time does. He said his poem was based on the well known metaphor of a broken plate and how saying “I’m sorry” to it doesn’t put the plate back together.

Audrey Sandefur (10) shared a poignant memoir entitled “Letter to my Past Self.” This was just one example of how poetry is a medium for vulnerability and self-reclamation.

Her younger brother, nine-year-old Ian Sandefur, also made an appearance to share a two-stanza poem about the risks of petting a temperamental cat named Matt.

Ellijah Weerts (10) performed several original poems including “Course We’ve Been Speaking” and “The Ocean is Breathing,” which was published in the Blue Marble Review, a “literary journal for young writers.”

On “Course We’ve Been Speaking,” Ellijah explained, “That whole poem started about me being trans and being really dysphoric and how my dad treated it. Then it spiraled into… being about all of the male influences in my life that have either helped me or destroyed me.”

Meg Howard (12) concluded the slam with a rhythmic narration of a car crash in slow motion. Her jarring rhythm and vivid imagery were every bit as effective as she hoped.

Performers also read non-original poems, including “Creative Drug” by nowHere, a powerful rap about addiction and vulnerability in relationships, which was performed by Audrey Sandefur. Another was “How to Not Have to Dry the Dishes” by Shel Silverstein, performed by our very own Ms. Anderson with her familiar embellished flair.

Overall, despite frustrating complications with rental forms and last-minute gaudy holiday decorations, this year’s slam was another success. Look forward to the spring poetry slam coming next semester!