My first ever spoken word performance was at a talent showcase in Toronto,Canada, on Sunday 17th February 2002.
How did this come about you ask?
Well at 21 I went to Canada for a while for a hiatus from my life in the UK. I happened to mention in a passing conversation with my Uncle’s friend that I wrote poetry. Shortly after our conversation, as in on the same day, he signed me up for a talent show that a friend of his had organised. Our conversation was on the Thursday and the talent show was on the Sunday.
I had never recited my poetry before let alone performed it. I had 3 days to rehearse and prepare. Up until that point in my life, letting other people know I wrote poetry was still new to me. So, performing to an audience of strangers was on a whole other level.
I never knew what nerves were until that day! I was the only person there from, London, UK. My accent stood out before me. Once I and the other performs got over that fact we became acquaintances backstage, as we were all in the same predicament of nervousness.
When it came to my turn and I stood on the stage and introduced myself the entire auditorium went quiet, because of my accent. The moment I realised I had everyone’s attention, I gave the best first-time performance that I could.
One of the poems I performed was Time, which can also be found in my book, Future Poet’s Whispers OF Real Desire Shared.
Time
“Every day we’re given 86,400 seconds of what we refer to as time. This is my observation of this precious commodity.”
Time is said to be a healer
And to make the heart grow fonder
Time is money
It is a journey through life
Time never stops running
And can never be stopped
But yours can
And when it does time itself will still be running
Time waits for no -one
When you think of time you’re either on or you’re late
But nothing runs according to the speed of time
Other than what has never been touched by mankind
Time is a dictation and definition of how we live
Time runs us and we live life unknown as to when time itself will stop
Time brings experience and experience teaches wisdom
Time is not to be wasted or to be reckoned with
It’s to be appreciated
And to be used creatively, passionately and wisely
Time is life….
Copyright © Future Poet All rights reserved.
After the Performance
The entire experience was overwhelming and I had met so many talented people such as the likes of Matisse who played the keytar and sang. The talent was outstanding and to know that I was apart of that made me proud.
When I got back home I had so many feelings. So much adrenaline to let go of. I needed to release what had just happened.
I did not want to forget how I felt that night so I did what I know how to best…. put pen to paper!
The Big Performance
Meditation
Preparation is the key
In order for the performance to be
Seen as confident, powerful and natural top me
Comfortable is how I want to be
With and audience looking up at me
Educated is I how I want to be seen
If a review were placed in magazine
“Her words were spoken freely with originality”
Is how I’d like the headline to read
The Stage
Nervousness took over
My hands continued to shake
The words stayed imprinted in my mind
The journey to my mouth they hesitated to make
Wanting to emphasise key words that rhyme
My insides trembling with fear
Trying mor to forget any lines
Embarrassment I couldn’t bear
Conclusion
Palms still sweating
My heart still pounding
Anxiety still flowing
Positive, constructive criticism has my cheek’s glowing
All in all I’m still worried
Not sure if my words were hurried
But my performance has come to an end
Until Future Poet decides to do it again
Future Poet© 17 February 2002. All rights reserved.