Why I Blog

One of my good friends recently asked me why I blog. This is, in essence, what I told him.

I blog because I like blogging.

I blog because I want to practice my writing skills. 

I blog because I am trying to build an audience for my future creative projects.

I blog because I have things to say and I don't want to forget. 

I blog because I want to be honest, and if I wrote down my thoughts to myself, then nobody could call me out on my errors in thought.

I blog because I find my opinions often changed, and I want a place to look back and see where I've become a stronger person.

I blog because, on occasion, someone thanks me for the thoughts I penned.

I blog because I have a testimony to share, and I want others to hear it. 

I blog because there is beauty in this world, and I don't want to be afraid to capture it.

Much of who I am can be found in this blog.

Final(s) Slam (2 Videos)

That's right, folks! We had another slam! Less of my immediate associates participated this time, but I still did!

The winners of the slam!

Obligatory soloist picture!

The master list!

And here's the text of my poem!

Disclaimer, right now, this slam poem is meta

I’m really sorry, guys, I don’t have anything betta

But I’m here to slam about slamming, and what y’all like

When we slam poets step up and spit into this mic

All I really need to make you scream

For you to clap and cheer and feel like you’re on my team

Is to say something I know you all with agree with

Like man, I hate to work the graveyard shift

There ain’t nothin’ better than a third date kiss

I never want to go to class, I think I’m gone skip

I hate waiting in lines, I hate parking fines

I hate it when my crush wants me to read their mind

I hate getting stuck in traffic behind the shuttle bus

I hate it when I see guys who ain’t chivalrous

Hillary’s a stepford-smilin’ mouth-flappin buffoon,

But where Trump truly belongs is a Fox cartoon

So then I leave the stage, and you think we’re in sync

But the thing is, I never really made you think.

That’s right, audience, I am calling you out,

You only like the taste of water from familiar spouts

I don’t have to be deep, I wasn’t even that funny

All that really matters is you think you think like me

But if I say something to challenge your minds

You sit there quietly, your arms at your sides

You talk about the refugees, with arms open and welcome,

But how would you feel if you had to let them sleep in your home

Maybe your candidate is the best for you

Are they the best for America, when you know what they’ll do?

You say you’re against police brutality

But if you saw it happen, would you leap in the fray?

You say racism doesn’t exist, that it’s come to an end,

But what about those racial jokes you told to your white friends?

You say you oppose the church and its stance on gays

But would you still be kind if a gay were your roommate?

And yes, I’m going there, you say you believe in Christ

But when’s the last time you were unconditionally nice?

Today’s society is all about (hashtag) #SoRelatable

Personally, I think that’s just a bunch of bull.

We are becoming more reliant on our similarities

We ignore the hard things because we like it easy

We don’t want our beliefs challenged, and we don’t to fight

For something we know to be true, or even to make something right

Because if we stand for something, we might stand alone

And standing alone is a fear that fills everyone’s bones.

But if we all stood alone, then we’d be standing together

And our burdens shared would be as light as a feather

So get off the hashtag, forsake the cliché

And make a promise to challenge yourself every day

yes, it’s uncomfortable to question all you believe

But you’ll be surprised by all the rewards you receive

You will find more respect, you will find more clarity

You can defend yourself from scrutiny and barbarity

Best of all, you’ll no longer feel awkward in your own skin

You will become an original, a will-be, not has-been

Thank you.

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

V-Day Week 2016: A Love Letter to Love (Poem)

Let's stop and pretend for a moment today.

If Love were a person, this is what I'd say.

Love! You're a person now? Well, whoop-de-doo

because I despise you. I really, really do.

My hate spilleth over, an overflowing cup

And I'll tell you why. Take a seat, listen up.

I am tired of the way you always lead me on.

You show me the world, and then it's all gone.

You tell me, "Don't worry, I'll find you someone better."

But that's not keeping my eyes from getting wetter.

You promise me another chance, you promise me a change,

you hand me cupid's arrow, place new targets on the range,

but no matter how well or precise I aim,

I miss all my shots, giving others the gain.

"You lose potentials fast!" you go ahead and say.

"Better luck next time, come back another day."

You know me by now, I've heard it all,

name me a duck, "Forever Alone" is my call.

No matter how many times I release my string,

when it comes to being single, I am the king.

You see what you do, Love? I am filled, prefire,

because you taunt me with unfulfilled desires.

I hate you, I want you to die, you're scum.

Sometimes I want you to go back where you're from!

But wait. Hold on. I didn't mean to yell.

Hear a few more things that I still need to tell.

I may hate you, Love, but I love you, too.

Let me tell you all about the good things you do.

You gave me warm hugs from my father and mom

during stormy days as we waited for calm.

You gave me siblings, who taught me some stuff

like when to be gentle, and when to be rough.

You gave me friends who always have my back

who defend me from sadness, pain, and attack.

You gave me strangers, who didn't care where I'd been,

who gave me a home when I asked for an Inn.

You taught me how to use you in kind

to release darkened shadows from my loved ones' minds,

and when all hope was lost from my eyes,

and I pierced the heavens with pleading cries,

petitioning God to come into view,

he only needed to send me you.

Oh, Love, I'm so grateful you're a person now.

I've wanted to chat, and I didn't know how.

Tried my hardest to thank you, by living with this power:

Give love to everyone, each and every hour.

If Love were a person, this is what I'd say.

But love isn't a person. So love someone today.

Winter Wonder Slam 2016 (3 Videos)

This past weekend, I was able to participate in BYU's Winter Wonder Slam, the January 2016 edition of the fledgling Saturday Night Slam Series.

I had two friends participate in the event, and they rocked the socks right off everyone. Everyone clapped and hollered as they stepped off the stage, basking in the glow of their victory. They'd performed. They had let their light shine. And it was enough.

Each of the 28 or so performers had used their free time to pen words that meant something to them. They'd practiced their delivery, and they'd fixed their nomenclature and phrasing. They came ready to rumble.

I was astounded by everyone. Yes, some people stumbled over lines. Yes, some people were obviously nervous. Yes, some people said some things I didn't agree with. Nonetheless, it was important that they came at all. They put aside whatever inhibitions and fears may have been holding them back, and they came.

For a while there, I wasn't sure I was going to perform. I misunderstood how to sign up, and I was therefore absent from the final program.

Thankfully, I managed to bully my way up to the microphone while the judges debated over the final winners and the host stalled for time.

I had an absolute blast.

The delivery of my slam poem had some hiccups, but here is the original text.

My poem is called

EHNN!

Sit on the couch
Watch some game show contestants

To show their smarts

They submitted for testin’

The host says,

“Ok, we’ve all had some fun

You’ve come so far

You’ve almost done and won,

But one last question.

Contestant Number One,

Tell me, who’s the first

president of our union?”

“Uh … Abraham Lincoln?”

EHNN!

“I’m sorry, Number One, but you got a raw deal

Contestant Number Two, you have a chance to steal.”

“Um … Like, was it James Garfield?”

EHNN!

“Contestant Number Three, you have the last chance, son.”

“I know the answer! It was Andrew Jackson!”

EHNN! EHNN! EHNN!

The contestants leave the game show in disgraces

The world paints ‘loser’ on top of their faces

All three contestants gave their very best

How does the world know if they’re a dud or success?

Contestant Number One is a doctor for pets

They paid off their mortgage, and they owe no debts.

EHNN!

Contestant Number Two is a promising banker

They have five kids, and never stoop to anger

EHNN!

Contestant Number Three is active in their church

Gives their excess dollars to folks in the lurch.

EHNN!

And yet, all three were defined by the buzzer

Three lights hidin’ behind the viral shutters

the game shows go to propose, apropos

EHNN the sound of failure that everyone knows

EHNN EHNN EHNN EHNN

EHNN goes the alarm clock

I roll outta bed, listen scholar talk

I take a class, feeling confident

But when I get my final grade, I see accidents

“65%,” my teacher says to me.

“You’re just above a failure, you’ve gotten a D.”

EHNN!

65% is just one step above failure?

Let me tell you,

If 65% of this nation agreed on something,

We wouldn’t need to lean on a bipartisan system

If 65% of the world agreed on something,

Maybe we could finally feed the starving children

And if 65% of you agree with me

maybe we can make a change to last more than a week

I may be 65%. That doesn’t show what else I did

over that semester when a failure I was branded.

Let me tell you,

I made new friends. I learned about myself.

I wrote a whole novel to stack up on your shelf.

I practiced my squat. Became self-taught.

Economy and history belong in my thoughts.

I treated women with respect and civility

I mastered several of my nagging insecurities.

EHNN!

Nobody cared. They couldn’t see the trees

They say 65% is what defines me.

no matter how much I gained at whatever the cost

The world just remembers my solitary loss

Honestly, bankruptcy philosophy is a comedy

The blameworthy farce holding onto a monopoly

Consciously jailing our collective unconsciousness

And Fear and mockery are gaining the ultimate dominance

But you know what, audience?

You don’t have to subscribe to anyone’s claims

When they enlarge your missteps, minimize your gains

So go ahead, world! Call us a shade from failure

We are better than most of you ever were

Maybe we should stop judging people for mistakes

And recognize the sacrifice true success takes

To the system, to the world, and all its ugly hues

We here say one thing to you.

EHNN.

Lights Multitude (Poem) - Throwback Commentary #54

Hey there! This is a commentary discussing the post I wrote on December 3, 2014. Click here to read the original post!

Looking back on this poem, I have to say, I think something's wonky with the meter. Oops. Also, I was really favoring syntactic deviation. All those words mixed around however I pleased.

It's been so long since I wrote this poem, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be a conversation. Well, I take that back. It is supposed to be a conversation, but I can't tell if the conversation is two sides, or one side. Is the light comforting the reader? Is a more experienced light consoling an inexperienced light? What do you think?

In the end, I think the message is the best thing to take away from the poem. It doesn't matter if you feel your strength, your talents, or your abilities are weak; they are still needed.

I hope you enjoy the poem, and I hope you enjoy the greater focus on poetry in the next few months!

Coming soon: Winter Wonder Slam

Missed (Poem)

I was productive.

I swear I was!

Working in the library

without break or pause.

See, when I entered,

sun lit up the sky,

but when I finally left

it had long been night.

Didn't think too much

about any of that,

went to find some friends

to kick back and chat.

But then, one of them

pulled out her phone,

asked if we'd seen the sunset,

for away she'd been blown.

I stared at the photo

she'd decided to take.

The sunset was stunning,

my heart started to ache.

What had I missed

by occupying my time?

A pretty sight lost

to my own daily grind.

By distracting myself

with the cares of mankind,

to a side of beauty

I made myself blind.

I spent the next day

staring at my screen.

My work didn't shine.

It had lost all its gleam.

Because, after all,

I will never forget

the afternoon I missed

a gorgeous sunset.

Another Sunday Snapshot Sabbatical

Hey, Sunday crew! There aren't many of you, but I love you just the same.

Have you seen yesterday's visual poem, by the way? I put a lot of effort into it. If you like it, why not share it on social media?

If you haven't seen it, here's a preview.

Click here to see the whole thing!

Love you guys! See you tomorrow!

Why I think Prejudices Exist (A Visual Poem)

Shine Your Light: Poetry Slam (2 Videos)

3 Nephi 12:16 - "Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

A few weeks ago, my friend and I went to a poetry slam hosted by a couple of our other friends. I'd never been to a poetry slam before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

It was off the hook!

Man, I don't even know how to describe the event. For months, my friends had described slam poetry to me, and I'd usually respond with a, "Cool." I didn't really understand the levels of passion, heart, and dedication that goes into the writing and delivery of such a work of art. For an example, watch this video.

People went up there and got lyrically serious (seriously lyrical?) about topics that meant a lot to them. The poets made people laugh, they made people think, and they made people cry.

The half-time show was a Haiku competition, for which I'd come prepared. I started out with this self-composed winner in mind.

I had not time to

write a haiku. Now what am

I going to do?

The problem was, I was near the back of the line, and some guy near the front had a similar idea. I didn't want to upstage myself, so I quickly composed a new haiku in my head. This was my final delivery.

Sometimes, I just run

out of time to say what I

want to say. It's a

I didn't win, but I was on stage anyway!

And for me, that was the beauty of the event. People were able to get together and present original material without fear of judgment or scorn. I'm sure some people in the audience raised a brow at a few of the acts, but for the most part, you could feel how excited everyone was just to be there.

And the poets were inspiring. I came up with and wrote down about five different slam poem ideas throughout the event. I wanted to rush home and write my own rhythmed reasoning. Nearly everyone I talked with said they wanted to try their hand at performing during the next event. People went home buzzing with ideas, and it was because a few brave souls stood up and spoke out.

Whether they were prepared and slamming down some serious limericks, or sweating and composing a haiku on the spot, people shined their light as bright as they could, 

I think that's all God expects of us.