I Was Just Lying on My Bed When This Poem Ruined Me (in the Best Way)

The spoken word poetry performances I'll never forget.

More than a decade ago, I discovered spoken word poetry the same way some people find love: suddenly, and all at once.

I’d lie on my bed at night, drop in, heart wide open, watching YouTube videos on repeat. It was as if the poets were speaking just to me, and it was the first time I truly understood what words could do.

Hearing these voices helped me find my own. I felt seen, but also inspired, not just to write, but to try and create something that made me feel like they did. Poetry birthed ambition in me, amplifying my curiosity while nudging me with possibility.

Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorites, in no particular order.

Maybe one will speak to something in you, too.

Buddy Wakefield - Convenience Store

Shane Koyczan - To This Day

Tara Hardy - Bone Marrow

Andrea Gibson - Maybe I Need You

Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye - When Love Arrives

Andrea Gibson - The Day You Died Because You Wanted To

Luka Lesson - A to Z

Derrick Brown - A Finger, Two Dots, Then Me

Rudy Francisco - Complainers

Buddy Wakefield - Farmly

Jeremy Goldberg - I’ve Got a Question (I had to include one of mine, just to feel what it’s like to put my art so close to such masterpieces!)

What about you? Got any favorites for me?

Let me know below.