After having a fairly stressful two weeks of school, what better way to relax than to go enjoy oneself with a big chocolate chip cookie and smoothie while getting lost in the creative, edgy, and fierce poetry at Poetry Night with the Prairie View Productive Poets? This is what several students did as poets recited to a full house Thursday night at Jazzman’s Café.
So, want in on the 4-1-1? Ahmad “Nyn9” Hygh said of the meaning behind Poetry Night, “Poetry Night is an alternative option to a lot of situations for different people. For example, some folks wanna take a break from studying and they want to still do something thought provoking. Go to Jazzman’s. If you wanna travel the campus with someone who you may find interesting, something social, relaxed, laid back, by all means go to Jazzman’s.”
You can also choose to sign up and spit out a few lines of your own, “Jazz Night at Jazzman’s is the only place that you can go listen to poetry, recite poetry, critique poems, relate to one’s poetry, and have a great cup of ‘something legal’ on a consistent basis.”
One poet in particular Timothy “Timbo” Woods II, a freshman business major, left a mark on the crowd as he recited his poem, “Celebrities”. From just the first line to the last, everyone in the room sat on the edge of their seat. Especially with the one line, “Slaves got beat crooked so we could stand up straighter.”
Senior electrical engineering major Lewebster Lacy said, “Timbo was pretty sweet. He had a Lupe Fiasco vibe going on. His poem made you think about the elements you see and hear about in everyday life that most people didn’t address or pay attention to.” Lacy also went on to say that there should be more events like the Poetry Nights at Jazzman’s, “We need more events like that, because for me and many others that is a nice stress reliever, a chance to be social and see another side of people that you would not normally see.”
Latoya Gill, a senior architecture major, and member of Triple P, gave her take on Poetry Night, “It’s a place where we get to hear and see the passionate, intellectual side of our brothers in action.”
Woods said that he got his inspiration from the media and how we absorb what we take in without really taking notice of exactly what we’re taking in, “Celebrities is about what people consider cool and how it leads to ignorance.”
Sure, the poets are hot and the atmosphere is great. Want to join in? Don’t worry; you don’t necessarily need to be a writer to be in. “You can do a number of things because we are interested in making more than just productive poets. We are looking for MCs, hosts, hostesses, writers, PR, philosophers, and most important of all honest leaders. Just come out to Jazzman’s at six o’clock on Thursdays and we will most definitely make you feel welcome,” said Hygh.
There was a slow melodic guitar solo from Gill and LaToya Harrison, a senior chemical engineering major, sung for the audience. What’s Hygh’s advice for newcomers stepping up to the mic? “Practice, practice, practice. Be confident in what you’re saying. Last, but not least, be honest.” If you’re not real in your poem, it’ll come across to the crowd. To put it simply, honesty is the best policy.
So, feeling in the mood for some poetry? Go on down to Jazzman’s and check out Poetry Night. And be sure and look for the slam team come Homecoming. Hygh’s on the lookout for those who are up to the challenge, “There will be a lot on the line because we gotta pick a brand new slam team. If you are interested then you can ask me at Jazzman’s or email me at ahygh@att.net.”