Have you heard of ‘slam poetry’?

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I’d never heard of slam poetry but it originated in Chicago in the 1980s and was first brought to Australia in the ‘90s when Words Travel CEO Miles Merrill moved here. Merrill says there is no such thing as slam poetry and it isn’t a genre however ….. It seems a fun event. The five people who manage to catch five chocolates thrown from the stage get a PhD in poetry for the night and become the judges, holding up score cards after each performance. Contestants give a two minute performance which isn’t necessarily poetry. Points are awarded of ‘literary flair, performance quality, and emotional heft’. The emotional responses drawn from the crowd are sometimes heartfelt and surprising. Anyone can get up and say their piece. People from diverse communities have welcomed the chance to tell their story or at least a part of their story. One Peruvian woman entitled her poem, Nine Suitcases and a Pram, as that was what her family first brought to Australia. If you want to read more, here is the link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-28/australian-poetry-slam-champion-blake-mackenzie-bivor/107288572. I don’t have a relevant photo but here are six miniature roses displayed on an artist’s palette.