It's Summer Somewhere Slam 2016 (4 Videos)

You know, every time I write a post about BYU's poetry slams (like this one, and this one), I always throw a whole bunch of commentary in about my thoughts on the event, how glad I was to go, what I liked the most about it, yadda yadda yadda.

Well, guess what. There are some fantastic slam poets down below, just waiting for you to give them your ear. I'm not going to let my windbag writing style keep you from the fruit!

I didn't record these two, but seeing as how they were my favorite, I promoted them to this post's visual representation in social media. Now, onto the slams!

And if you'd like to see the text of Josie and I's poem, here it is. We wrote our own lines, so BAM.

Opportunity Cost

Both (together)

An exposé of the thoughts in your mind

when you pass someone special that catches your eye

Josie

I saw you last week, I think

In a crowd, just a blink,

but long enough because I’ve made you familiar enough.

Somehow, someway, I know your gait, your pace

I know you’re coming down the hall, my face

drops to the floor

I can’t pretend you haven’t walked by before

Or that I didn’t purposely sit by the door

To jump up ever so casually

To time this ever so perfectly

Align it all cosmically

expect it expectantly

Zac

Life is so amazin’, and I find bliss

then I’m lost in a maze, and my mind is

screaming like a broken record

Hatch like I’m a yolk and egg, or

suffocate inside my shell

My next step is hard to tell

When I see your face, girl, wanna say hi

But then you gotta go and pass me by,

Again and again, time and time

But you’re not the first path I’ve crossed in kind

i can’t just talk to you brazenly

but maybe we’d hit it off, and eventually

I’d find happiness resting inside your arms

But I can’t imagine talking doing good than harm

Josie

I know you like basketball because you mentioned the score- 

My dad and I’ve been watching since I was just 4

I know you like farming, or maybe just green, 

because you wear a John Deere tractor shirt which kind of baffles me

I know you like I know the back of my hand, 

which actually is a saying I don’t really understand

Probably, you have a sister who bought you those shoes- 

in my head you’re adorably clueless about mixing browns and blues

Or maybe it’s a girlfriend who’s influencing your taste-  

my bubble has burst with your arm around her waist

But what’s the harm in hoping that only I can see your charm- 

and as long as no one knows, they can’t be too alarmed

Zac

Don’t know a thing about you, but I can assume

After all, you always light this room

I’mma super geek, you seem cooler than me

Looking right on fleek as you flaunt your jeans

Do you watch TV, and the shows I like

What about your major, is it art or psych?

Are you the kind of person likin’ quiet nights indoors,

Do you ski on a mountain or sunbathe by the shore

So many things I could learn, as my head a-starts to turn

Daren’t say a thing cuz my interest you will burn.

Josie

Out of nowhere, I’m thinking that you and me is we

Which scared my sense of individuality

I want to pretend that I’ve got immunity,

that my independence guards me from ever being weak

But independent me is blind to opportunities

And if I see you, you might say something to me

Zac

I’m just tryna weigh your opportunity cost

I wanna label you a queen with immunity to frost

Cuz If I talk to you, I might look the foo’

I don’t really want pity from a stranger like you

So I think I’m just going to let this slide

and avert my gaze when you meet my eyes

Both (together)

I’ve made up my list:

Both (back and forth)

Z Engaging and precise

J My aunts will think he’s nice

Z Astoundingly aware

J Knows “their”, they’re and there

J Strong jawline,

Z Jokes about doing lines

J Ready to go green

Z Intellect sharp and keen

Z Okay with Rap

J Knows the poverty gap

Z Uses slang from the 80s

J Impressed my roommate, Katie

J Kind, humble and smart,

Z Fine with clothes from Wal-Mart,

J Aware of his Maker

Z Testimony Anchored

Both (together)

I’ve made up my list and you perfectly fit

Because you seem legit, not a counterfeit

Here’s the harm in hoping when passing in the hall

I think I know you, don’t say hi at all

An exposé of the opportunity cost

when you pass someone special: opportunity lost