I have been writing poetry as prolifically as I can for about six years and began performing my pieces at poetry slams about three years ago. I had some success in the slam scene, however I found that my poetry didn't quite fit the slam paradigm. I met Danny Matos (a terrific poet/rapper and Inspired Word fixture) who suggested that I check out the Inspired Word. I began attending the open mics regularly about two years ago and was overwhelmed by the familial warmth and unconditional support displayed by everyone there. Mike Geffner, Marvin Mendlinger, and Nicole Acosta as well as a group of stellar hosts have helped build and reinforce my confidence, drive, and aspirations in producing art. Since becoming affiliated with the Inspired Word I have been afforded the opportunity to preform at a slew of poetry events including Slamnesty, 3Po3try, and Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery. I guess what I'm saying is that; The Inspired Word is like a big sturdy tree for independent artists. If you are dedicated and committed to climbing it's trunk, you will be Activism Through Storytelling: The Second Annual rewarded with the fruits dangling at the ends of Slamnesty it's many branches. Brooklyn, NY
Graham Willner
M: I gave up my career for it. I’m no longer a writer, I published over 1 0,000 stories as a journalist and I thought I was going to die typing out stories. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d ever give that up. I wrote every day for 33 years, not every day in a journal or diary, every day for print. So the idea of going from writing 1 500 words minimum to zero- I never thought that would happen. I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to write, now I don’t write at all. So I’d have to say that this has become a mission and such an important mission that I’d be willing to give up everything that I did for 33 years prior to this.
Where do you see it going in the future?
goes. If I had stayed with the poetry thing only and made it just a feature event, I don’t think it would be where it is now. The fact that I was open to other possibilities, to bring in music, comedy and spoken word and open mic and to shake it up a little bit, I think that’s the success of the series, that I wasn’t inflexible. So I don’t know. There’s a scene in Jurassic Park, where he takes a drop of water and he says, ‘you see you don’t know where that drop is going, it goes where it goes,’ and that’s what I feel about the series. It’s going to go where it goes, but I think I’m pretty good at sensing where I need to be, including here tonight. What a great thing to be at Slamnesty International with six of our poets.
M: I have no idea. I have no idea because it For more information about Michael Geffner and changes. The one thing that I’m proud of is that Inspired Word, visit www.inspiredwordnyc.com I’ve been flexible enough to let it go where it dekit |
75