Pencils scribble, erasers scratch, pens click, writers write. Students discuss poetry with their peers, sharing stories, experiences, emotions and thoughts. Ideas spark and words flow– poetry is created.
This is what one can expect at Robinson’s Poetry Jam. On Dec. 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., students have the opportunity to experience the art of spoken word.
This year’s poetry jam will feature poet Sam Obeid. With the assistance and inspiration from Obeid, students will partake in a poetry workshop to hone their writing and presenting skills.
Mrs. Shannon Chamberlain, Robinson’s librarian and sponsor for this event, is ecstatic. Poetry jams occur in the library, and the poet will introduce themselves and share a presentation. The poet’s presentation will include interactive activities to get everyone comfortable with each other.
“They talk about different themes and things they’ve been through to kind of loosen everybody up,” Chamberlain said. “[Participants] start doing exercises to pull people out of their discomfort zone, because it’s super normal to be uncomfortable, and you want to be comfortable expressing yourself.”
After the presentations, students will begin to write poems that they will present later in the afternoon to fellow students and select faculty.
“Because everybody has to perform, I want to make sure that people know that this is a small and intense experience, but it’s so rewarding and you feel so good– like you’ve accomplished something, you’ve created something, you’ve expressed yourself differently; and then you’ve seen your peers do that too, it’s transformative and amazing,” Chamberlain said. “I would love for everybody to experience that, but you have to be in the right frame of mind and type of person to feel like you can do that.”
The event will be very intimate, holding up to thirty students. Chamberlain wants students to get their teachers’ permission first, by filling out a form she can provide in the library.
The poetry jam will be very supportive and friendly. The writing, speaking and feeling will be what students remember and cherish from this experience.
