Member-only story
I Miss Safe Spoke Word Spaces
My poetry roots are in spoken word. I have been spitting at open mics for a decade now, I was a part of the Gate City Youth Slam Team and went to Brave New Voices in 2015.
I have watched a few slams online over the past few years, but they truly break my heart in two. Everyone is spitting their truth — maskless to a room of maskless people. Everyone is hyping each other up — by singing and cheering and dancing close together. Everyone is hugging and laughing, and there is community.
I am high risk for Covid-19 and I am hoping to have surgery in the next month or so. I haven’t been safe to go to crowded, maskless events in years. I wish there were Covid safe slams for me to participate in, but one day we will all be able to perform in the same place.
Spoken word has my whole heart. I can’t wait until it is safe to slam again. I will touch stage again.
I posted a little clip of me performing “Heavy” on my Instagram Maggie.Writes
I post on Instagram every day, including more and more spoken word!
Heavy
Originally published in Capsule Stories Autumn 2021
I’ve forgotten how to daydream;
These days my mind is constantly
Wondering why my ankles
Won’t stop cracking or why
My chest has become so tight,
If it’s worth the…
