It is August and I swore I would have already been holding my first paperback poetry book in my hands.
I am Rachael, I am a student and a poet, and I’ve been finding myself feverishly impatient at the slow process of curating an original poetry collection to publish or self-publish this year. I initially had the goal of June, then July, and now I’m thinking I will be lucky if I can get it out for December. It would be even better if I can launch the book at a few spoken word nights around NSW. I’m not even sure I’m good enough to have a book out.
I’ve been teaching myself to write and perform poetry in the last four years, also competing at poetry slams, hosting spoken word nights and acting in poetry stage shows. In 2018, I was a Sydney finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam and since have been performing locally and state-wide. I would describe performing slam as an ’emotional love sport’ that I chuck my heart and soul into.
I learn the most about spoken word from seeing other poets perform. Bankstown Poetry Slam has an exceptional scene where hundreds of incredible diverse voices speak their stories unapologetically and loud. I have learnt so much about the effects of White Australia on Muslim and POC poets there. The local Wollongong scene, Enough Said Poetry, – who is on break this year – has educated me on ATSI issues and the strong queer-hoods of many poets as well. On Youtube, Button Poetry’s channel coming from the U.S. is the golden pinnacle of online slam, with thousands of poets from all racial, cultural and religious backgrounds contributing.
Hearing powerful, intimate and personal stories, infused with technically rich poetry and emotional language that dissects social justice issues, has kept me informed, while providing me with the tools to tell my own stories. Spoken word artists set a great example of how to be a wordsmith and craft poems with a certain language that invokes the audience to deeply and emotionally connect.
Naturally, I fell into writing poetry to navigate a daunting queer-hood myself. Being a young person, trying to make sense of mental health issues, feminism, world injustice and stories inside of me; spoken word is a supportive stage to stand on, and a community to unravel and unpack big ideas in. Performing is massively cathartic. It is a type of therapy (and arguably a religion) where everyone is included and loved. It’s a gift to share and listen to stories in safe spaces about vulnerable, human subjects. It makes someone experiencing what feels like an isolating issue, absolutely not alone.
I can’t wait to release my book and share the tales of in-real-life young love and heartbreak, queer-hood, mental health and feminism – hoping to reach out and touch people. By shining a light on myself, I want to shine the same light on others.
internet kid 