So last night I did something I haven't done or thought of doing in a long time. After seven people signed up and I saw the slam list sitting all alone, I signed up.to slam. Yeah I only have one poem memorized that I don't even particularly fancy anymore. So what, I still had two poems crumpled in my bag somewhere. My plan was to go on stage, grab the music stand, and read my poems just like I would in an open mic. That's what I did.
So I go up and read "Strange Gardens" which I love very much, and I think to myself that there is no way I can make it to the second round. I mean I went on stage sluggish like, set up my paper to read and told the crowd that Rachel chose it using the iny miny miney moe method, and read the poem. The poem can't be longer than 1 and maybe a half a minute. How I made it to second round? don't ask me cause I don't even remember what my score was.
Then In the 2nd round I did Platform Pleas. It isn't a bad poem but it isn't me anymore, and I should have never read it. I did. From memory too. But umm my memory wasn't with me. I had to invent half of the middle of the poem and all I wanted to do was to finish. To see that poem end. It did end and I was relieved. I went downstairs to smoke, knowing that there was no way in hell that I could have made it to the 3rd round.

Goddamn it! I made it to the third round. So I went up like I did in the first round and read the poem that I was proud of, the one I wanted to read. I read "Diablo Cohuelo in the West Village". It felt amazing to read that. I saw people really appreciative of the fact that I read that poem. I got a bunch of kudos. The feature and his wife gave me a heart felt compliment that meant the world to me. He said that I have a voice and that nothing would ever be able to stop that voice I have. Made me feel all sweet.

Anyway I made it to 3rd place, granting me one point towards Semi Finals some time next year.

I was just pondering whether I should try to get a few more points or just do what I do.

time will tell. I just know I can't be bothered with memorizing a whole list of poems. I really don't like memorizing things. Who knows. I may change my tune in a few months. As long as I am writing the way that I want to write, and my writing is improving, then a slam or two wont bother me. But if I start focusing on winning and getting all competitive and don't write as often as I'd like to, then please shoot me.