{"id":331,"date":"2018-12-17T17:57:28","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T17:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsite.applesandsnakes.org\/?p=331"},"modified":"2019-01-20T16:45:02","modified_gmt":"2019-01-20T16:45:02","slug":"the-need-for-slamfresh-in-newcastle-by-rowan-mccabe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/2018\/12\/17\/the-need-for-slamfresh-in-newcastle-by-rowan-mccabe\/","title":{"rendered":"THE NEED FOR SLAMFRESH IN NEWCASTLE: BY ROWAN MCCABE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Myself and fellow poet Don MacDonald started SlamFresh because we both feel that there are very few opportunities for under 18s to perform at poetry events. Often poetry slams and open mics happen in a pub or a bar, so the only chance young people get to perform their work is in a school setting, which can leave it all feeling a little academic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What me and Don both love about poetry, and slam poetry in particular, is that it can be enjoyed outside of an academic setting- it can be exciting and relevant and a good night out.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our idea was to work with a group of year 8 and year 9 students in Walker Riverside Academy to write slam poetry and get it ready for performance. We worked with a diverse group of fifteen young people; some had written lots of poetry already, many had never engaged with it willingly before.<\/span><\/p>\n

We began by talking about the similarities between lyrics and poetry, and wrote our own boast raps, which really helped to unlock the students’ potential. We kept things playful for those who didn\u2019t want to boast about themselves too seriously! Over the course of seven weeks, we experimented with a variety of writing styles and techniques, encouraging the young people to find their own voice and reinforcing the idea that slam poetry is a place where all approaches are welcome. We talked about everything from our passions in life, to our childhood memories, to our perfect worlds – the results have been really impressive.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the seven weeks, we hosted the final slam in Space 2, a youth project right in the heart of Newcastle\u2019s city centre.<\/p>\n

From the beginning, the young people played an active role in running the event, from helping us to decide on a venue, to giving it the name – \u2018Frankly My Dear, I Don\u2019t Give a Slam\u2019, which I believe is possibly the best title for a poetry night I\u2019ve ever heard.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We had seven brave slammers take part and the group were really excited by the time we got there.\u00a0For me, this was what it was all about: making poetry feel like fun.\u00a0Seeing how much extra work they had put into editing their poems and polishing their performance was also really rewarding. In the end, none of us were really concerned with who won or lost.<\/span><\/p>\n

The important thing was that we got to showcase a range of exciting new voices.
\n<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As for SlamFresh, we believe this is just the beginning. Our ultimate goal is to run a series of these projects and to create a regular showcase of the region\u2019s young talent, where groups from different schools and community projects can come together and share their work with each other. Who knows, some of them may even start their own poetry night!<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, we leave you with some pictures and the fantastic poems produced on the project.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\nDa Gangta Geek<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The name\u2019s G.F.H.
\n<\/span>Comically man is great.
\nYou are a state, full of hate, you like to dictate.
\n<\/span>I\u2019m a kind king with a high IMDB rate.
\n<\/span>Forget those other fools because I am the greatest actor.
\n<\/span>Comedic genius, make you laugh then collect my Oscar after.
\nPopping out songs like maternity wards pop out babies,
\n<\/span>getting platinum and getting them ladies.
\n<\/span>I\u2019m on fire like a quasar, front man of a band.
\n<\/span>You\u2019re like Star Wars sequels, sand.
\n<\/span>Think you know stand up, sit down.
\n<\/span>Watched them all, the G never frowns.
\nCarlin, Murphy, even Bo Burnham.
\nLike A.I I\u2019m forever learning.
\nThe king on Simpson\u2019s trivia,
\n<\/span>goodbye Apu real homies live forever.
\n<\/span>I\u2019m a god sacrilegious,
\ngrab the drink and do the dishes.
\n<\/span>The best at cards against humanity,
\n<\/span>offend you so hard you\u2019ll lose your sanity.
\n<\/span>Pull up in the hood like bang bang bang,
\n<\/span>then maybe a clang clang clang,
\n<\/span>and then you\u2019ll be like: \u2018Stop playing the drums\u2019.
\nThen I\u2019ll be like: \u2018Sorry.\u2019
\nMy name\u2019s G.F.H
\n<\/span>You\u2019ve been great.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by George<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nAn Ode to Punk<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I like punk and new wave,
\n<\/span>I\u2019m not one for a rave. Punk teaches you to misbehave
\n<\/span>to rebel; anarchy\u2019s uprising
\n<\/span>with what happened back then it isn\u2019t surprising,
\n<\/span>with evil Maggie Thatcher and the oppressive miner\u2019s strike.
\n<\/span>Punk rock is dead but it\u2019s had an eventful life.
\n<\/span>Because there\u2019s no more heroes anymore,
\n<\/span>electric guitars washing upshore.
\n<\/span>The 70\u2019s needed it, the 80\u2019s had it, we want it.
\n<\/span>Sure I love Neil Young and the Gorillaz sick beats
\n<\/span>but punk rock simply reached higher feats
\n<\/span>and although post punk\u2019s banging
\n<\/span>Joy Division and Talking Heads
\n<\/span>Punk still is dead.
\n<\/span>But punk still lives amongst the rare few
\n<\/span>wearing strait jackets and Dr Martin shoes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by George<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nNew York City<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

New York City has a pungent smell
\n<\/span>of fast food grease and grimy sewage.
\n<\/span>The sad, depressed homeless people
\n<\/span>roam the cold claustrophobic
\n<\/span>streets with empty coffee cups
\n<\/span>in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Large stadiums hold thousands
\n<\/span>of basketball fans.
\n<\/span>Frantic workers running into
\n<\/span>colossal buildings on the main streets.
\nBabies and children were screeching
\n<\/span>in the packed toy shops.
\n<\/span>The rank taste of sick and tobacco
\n<\/span>filled everyone\u2019s mouths.
\n<\/span>Engines roared and boisterous
\n<\/span>citizens were rushing.
\nThe city is vast and dirty.
\n<\/span>Dark dressed goths sat on
\n<\/span>benches smoking in Central Park.
\n<\/span>The neon lights shone bright,
\n<\/span>while everyone stood in awe.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is New York City.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Teale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI Remember\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the chimes in the wind.
\n<\/span>The candy floss clouds.
\n<\/span>The squeaking of the swings and
\n<\/span>the periwinkle sky.
\n<\/span>I can still vision the terror on my
\n<\/span>face when I realised I was falling.
\n<\/span>The shock on my friend\u2019s expression,
\n<\/span>I remember my eyes closing.
\n<\/span>The loud crunch of tyres on the gravel
\n<\/span>and the rushed car journey to
\n<\/span>the hospital.
\n<\/span>Running to the E.R with weak limbs
\n<\/span>on the operation table and falling
\n<\/span>to sleep.
\n<\/span>I remember seeing my bright pink
\n<\/span>cast getting physio.
\n<\/span>Having my pins and wires removed
\n<\/span>and looking at both painful scars
\n<\/span>on either side of my right arm.
\n<\/span>I remember finding out I was
\n<\/span>double jointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2013 by Teale<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI Remember<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I was on my grandad\u2019s horse Picky all by myself. I remember when I had some money.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I went through MacDonald\u2019s drive-through and got a burger on my horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I went to Asda to get some chocolate on my horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I thought it was cool and I made the horse go very fast in the car park.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when the horse slipped on the tarmac.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember a man running over and seeing if we were OK.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I did not go back to the stable after falling off.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I went back out on the poor horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I got back to the stable and the horse lay next to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Charlie<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nIn my world I would like to just have everything so if I said I wanted a bike it would appear for me. If I said I wanted a rollercoaster it would appear for me. Everyone who has passed away would come back and they would look the same. I would like a big massive dirt track that is so epic. You will never get fat so I could eat all the food I wanted, like the pizza would be the size of one whole school. You would be able to grow a money tree in the autumn. All the money would fall off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Charlie<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMy First Bike<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

My mum and dad bought me my first ever bike! At 7 years old it was a great surprise. It was in my hallway at my old flat. It was a Hello Kitty Bike and I liked Hello Kitty. I really wanted to have a go at riding it. So, because I wanted to have a try, we went to the park that\u2019s right next to my block of flats and had a go. My Mum, sister and Dad came with me. When I got on, I was a bit wobbly and I fell off quite a lot. I could smell the fresh grass and I could see all of the kids playing in the play area. I could feel the hard concrete that I fell on. I could hear the screaming and shouting of the kids having fun. I could taste the bits of blood on my hand. I may have had some cuts and bruises but I was alright. I got there in the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Lilian<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI am better at guitar than James Hetfield and Myles Kennedy put together,
\n<\/span>If you see me battle with them, you would never see me lose, ever!
\n<\/span>You could see my fabulous drawing techniques in seconds,
\n<\/span>I can beat all of you cretins.
\n<\/span>I have the best creativity skills,
\n<\/span>I could pay all of your bills in a flash.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Lilian<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMy Poem of My Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

First I remember meeting my Aunty.
\n<\/span>First dogs, their names were
\n<\/span>Pepsi and Dave. They\u2019re both Staffies.
\n<\/span>The dogs made me instantly love them by
\n<\/span>licking me and cuddling with me. I then went
\n<\/span>to Essex. Then the water park I could smell
\n<\/span>chlorine and taste chlorine. All
\n<\/span>I could see was children laughing, crying,
\n<\/span>I could hear water and splashes as well.
\n<\/span>I met my cousin for the first time her name is
\n<\/span>Robyn. I was about 4 years old when we
\n<\/span>met and I really liked meeting her. So when
\n<\/span>I was only 2 and I was climbing on the sofa
\n<\/span>and I fell and broke my arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Libby<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMy day was great yesterday. My alarm woke me up from my slumber so I got up and went to my dining room to watch TV then I went back to sleep. I felt ill that morning so then I ate four bags of crisps. I don\u2019t know why I just did. I love to make my friends only my hand hates me it\u2019s asleep. I hate it when my hands go to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Libby<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nAnxiety: a raging ball of stresses and unnecessary overthinking, rough and hot, melting the skin from my hands. It bounces and gets bigger, trying to escape the grip of me, its victim. Yet when it realises how lonely it\u2019ll be, it runs straight back attacking me like a violent dog. It tries to be soft and comforting yet there isn\u2019t a bigger contrast as its horrific outside feels like a life-threatening sting from a black widow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Sydney<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nA Manifesto<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0<\/span>Wake up to just fall back onto your soft pillow for another \u20185 minutes\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Never think that you\u2019re higher than anyone else in your life for, little do you know. the boy in the back could grow up to look upon you from a plane, smiling wildly in his heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Go to schools, have a laugh with your friends. Soon enough, you\u2019ll fall apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Make mistakes. Start over and redraft until you\u2019ve found one right sentence or eyelash of a painting.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Always be kind. Even if you\u2019re kicked or punched each day. Everyone is fighting a battle you have no idea about.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Wake up to your mind in the same pit and drown deeper into the sea of quilts. Close your eyes tight and open them into a black lonely dead silent room where a numbing sword is stabbing at your chest and brain. Scream and nothing comes out. Grab your head and squeeze your knees against your forehead and\u2026 Be kind to yourself too, take a day to breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Be humble. Consider the hardships of life and never forget the suffocating saddening, sea of struggles that press harshly on chests of the weak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Sydney<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI Remember<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I remember skipping home, my worn out black shoes slapping the ground violently as my 5-year-old brain got more and more excited for tiny chewy, golden gummy bears that would fill the pit of emptiness within me. Sighing, the cashier sighed but smiled sweetly as I threw my one and two pennies on the counter and hurriedly swallowed my rainbow goodness.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember my cousin and I in our own world, playing the secret agents in our dreams, laughing carelessly as we basked in our imaginary bliss. The huge banana slide was our base and we used the sticky chocolate covered mud to send messages.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the blinding, flashing blue lights outside my window when my neighbour\u2026 The street was a fair and I was on the baby caterpillar ride.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember making weird food creations with my only friend. We mixed banana with chocolate ice cream. Licking it cautiously, we scrunched our noses in disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember my old school and how
\n<\/span>cracks invaded each wall. The smell
\n<\/span>of sterile spray stinging my eyes
\n<\/span>and attacking my nose like
\n<\/span>soldiers in battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the soft
\n<\/span>morning \u2018hello\u2019 from the
\n<\/span>pastel sky in my hair as
\n<\/span>I sat in my vast garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the towering
\n<\/span>giant with teeth like
\n<\/span>shards of glass, a wooden face
\n<\/span>pouting at me from my window that
\n<\/span>threatened to fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the ancient metal gate\u2019s
\n<\/span>familiar screams like laughing hyenas
\n<\/span>once again flooding my brain,
\n<\/span>deafening my emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember strumming the strings of
\n<\/span>my favourite instruments, an off tune
\n<\/span>melody flooding my ears and making
\n<\/span>the world violently cringe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Sydney<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWhat do I like?
\n<\/span>Well, I like,
\n<\/span>I like to hike.
\n<\/span>I\u2019m not a quitter,
\n<\/span>but I\u2019ve never finished one.
\nI\u2019m simply a beginner.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I\u2026 like?
\nI don\u2019t know,
\n<\/span>You tell me.
\n<\/span>I do like to take my canoe for a row
\n<\/span>in the chilly river.
\nThe slow waves hit my body
\n<\/span>and I suddenly quiver.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I actually like?
\nQuestions running through my head.
\nWhat do I like?
\nI do not know what to like.
\nI do not know what to hate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m wondering,
\nwhat do I like?<\/p>\n

I like music.
\n(Really, do you?) <- Inner voice in my head
\n<\/span>I like singing.
\n(You sound like a chicken)
\nI love ballet.
\n(No you don\u2019t)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Catia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMy perfect world (#complicated)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nobody has a perfect world. Beauty,
\n<\/span>lushness, greatness success and amusement, why
\n<\/span>would you want that for free if you could just
\n<\/span>work for it instead? My perfect world already exists.
\n<\/span>Things are already meant to be and we can\u2019t
\n<\/span>change them because if I got everything I wanted
\n<\/span>I would just be a horrible, spoilt, obnoxious little girl
\n<\/span>and that would make this world so much more chaotic
\n<\/span>and I would be dead by the time I was 6 because of
\n<\/span>a sugar addiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In conclusion the world should be left how it is currently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Catia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI Remember<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I remember running into my brand new rooms,
\n<\/span>wondering what my wallpaper was going to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember counting sheep on entry
\n<\/span>that were filled with the cries of my little devilish sister.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when life was so easy,
\n<\/span>everything was done for me.
\n<\/span>Clothes ironed, lunch made and packed,
\n<\/span>help with homework, dropped off at school.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember all the nights when my dad was mad at me
\n<\/span>for purchasing too many clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when my brothers would bring out the horses
\n<\/span>making me run away with fear of
\n<\/span>massive beaming eyes,
\n<\/span>and their enormous bodies chasing after me.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the horrible day when I was locked
\n<\/span>in my dad\u2019s stable storage room
\n<\/span>and I cried till I had no energy.
\n<\/span>It was a 2 minute eternity!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Catia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nSo on a cold Christmas eve me and my mam also my stepdad, went for some bits and bobs. We parked right outside and all of a sudden I stepped out of the car and then I jammed my finger in the car door. I screamed and I really couldn\u2019t be bothered because it was freezing and I was terrified I didn\u2019t even want to look at it. It was all black and blue it was literally throbbing everyone was just looking at me because I screamed so loud even the pigeons got a fright. I was really looking forward to Christmas but I had to go to the hospital on \u201cChristmas eve\u201d. And I was so scared because I saw a big needle and the nurse said don\u2019t look and she stuck the needle all the way through my nail and bone I felt sick but I felt glad because I could go home for Christmas. It was quite funny on Christmas morning because my brother and sister had to help me open my Christmas presents and we were all laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Paris<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI am the queen of girly fashion I like sparkly things and girly stuff like jewellery the colour of pink and I love learning new things about make-up and hair like a beauticianist. I like to design clothes like dresses, skirts and also accessories earrings, hats, bracelets, necklaces and thinking outside of the box.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Paris<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nRain is like a Treasure Chest<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0<\/span>walked.
\nThe purpose for why I did so was unknown.
\n<\/span>The previous rainfall left treasures behind.
\n<\/span>However, only some appreciate them.
\n<\/span>The dews, the freshly fallen dews,
\n<\/span>the dews that hang on the now crystal-like webs,
\n<\/span>spun with both precision and care.
\n<\/span>The long overdue sunlight reflecting the small drops
\n<\/span>of liquid.
\n<\/span>Making them glint,
\n<\/span>like jewels on a necklace.
\n<\/span>Rain is like a treasure chest.
\n<\/span>The newly made puddles that now reside on the
\n<\/span>floor, their glory disappearing soon enough.
\n<\/span>The kids scattering about in their raincoats,
\n<\/span>all rushing at once.
\n<\/span>Their boots smashing the glass surface.
\n<\/span>The images that hide in the puddles
\n<\/span>scattering the fractals of light that reflected,
\nreflected the images of the surroundings that looked
\n<\/span>down at the puddles, as if they were inferior to them,
\n<\/span>like their excellence is too much just to be copied,
\n<\/span>copied to be put in a mere, fragile structure.
\n<\/span>Rain is like a treasure chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Jody<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWriting has a power. I have a passion. Combine the two and BAM! You have me, a book crazy girl with a love for horror movies and novels, manga, and mostly anime. All which I spent way too much money on. But it\u2019s worth it! If you buy a book, you\u2019re essentially buying another world. A side story to reality. Though not everyone likes that. People say reading and watching anime is for nerds. You know, the silly stereotypical people who get judged for liking to learn? I mean, what\u2019s wrong with that? Learning is great, apart from maths. Maths is like, insanely burnt bacon compared to English. English is a full English Breakfast! Eh? Eh? Get it? Because it\u2019s English? Oh nevermind I\u2019ll stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Jody<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWalking Down the Streets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d light you up like a light,
\n<\/span>like a light.<\/span><\/p>\n

The motion I feel is robot-like,
\n<\/span>robot-like.<\/span><\/p>\n

The future for me is too bright,
\ntoo bright.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll hit you with a left and a right,
\n<\/span>and a right.
\n<\/span>Sort your position out, it\u2019s too tight,
\n<\/span>too tight.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I get in the ring it\u2019s such a sight,
\nsuch a sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boxing\u2019s what I do overnight,
\n<\/span>overnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Chorus)<\/p>\n

Boxing is my chore.
\nWanna do it more and more
\n<\/span>After you spar with me you will be sore. I\u2019d win in a fight against the earth\u2019s core.
\n<\/span>Don\u2019t answer me with a no.
\n<\/span>Don\u2019t ever dare call me bro.
\n<\/span>If you do you\u2019ll be a servant like a crow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Charlie<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWhat a plumb. What a bum. I\u2019ll beat you like a drum. What is your name, chum? Ha what a name this isn\u2019t how you play this game. That\u2019s just lame. You are lame, that\u2019s what I said. I think you need to back to bed. After this line you will be dead. Is it true you live in a shed?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Charlie<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI am like a walking anime encyclopaedia.
\n<\/span>I am mosuto of blood and death of Japanese media.
\nI know about Dragon ball super and I know Beerus can be defeated by Goku.
\n<\/span>If you don\u2019t believe me I will show you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Artjoms<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMy perfect world would be amazing. There would be no teachers and there would be everything you ever wanted. All you would have to do is think about it and it would appear. Buildings would be made of anything you want and you could have anything inside of them. Any furniture, any food and any leisure of whatever size. There would be anyone you wanted to see and all illnesses wouldn\u2019t be a thing. There would be no work or school. There would be phones and outdoor activities like biking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Artjoms<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMince and dumplings are as dark as the moon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mince and dumplings are as horrible as the gristle sometimes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mince and dumplings taste bad a lot when they\u2019re under cooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mince and dumplings are nice like pancakes.<\/p>\n

\u2013 by David<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nUrg this place makes me wanna cry,
\n<\/span>they moan about my shoes, my hair, even my tie.
\n<\/span>I don\u2019t know why we\u2019re treated like fleas,
\n<\/span>black and yellow ties!? I\u2019m not a bumble bee! They don\u2019t care about us they just want to teach,
\n<\/span>I think I\u2019d learn more if I was taught by a leech. These people do my nut in every single day,
\n<\/span>they\u2019re never satisfied until they get their own way.
\n<\/span>I feel like I\u2019m being lectured over and over,
\n<\/span>can I swap with someone who\u2019s in a coma? They shout and rant when I\u2019m on the bleachers.
\n<\/span>Urgh can\u2019t the government fire these teachers?
\n<\/span>In this place there\u2019s nothing to achieve.
\n<\/span>Thank goodness the bells\u2019 gone- I can leave<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Georgia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI like to act comedic especially on stage.
\n<\/span>If I was in a book people would skip to find my special page.
\n<\/span>Acting is my passion and all those parts I\u2019ve took.
\n<\/span>Judge me? Expect a sarcastic look.
\n<\/span>I\u2019ve aced literally all my tests,
\n<\/span>don\u2019t challenge me \u2018cause everyone knows I\u2019m the best.
\n<\/span>You could say I\u2019m amazing, that\u2019s pretty clear,
\n<\/span>everyone knows I\u2019M the one to fear.
\n<\/span>I like music, that\u2019s why I dance.
\n<\/span>Fail once? Don\u2019t expect a second chance.
\n<\/span>I like art cause I\u2019m good at that too,
\n<\/span>Don\u2019t challenge me cause I could draw rings around you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Georgia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI Remember<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

My childhood was absolutely glorious,
\n<\/span>I honestly had the best times being a
\n<\/span>mischievous little diva.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when me and my dad
\n<\/span>were in Paris and we went to a
\n<\/span>toyshop just to look around.
\n<\/span>Little did he know a perfect Barbie
\n<\/span>doll was standing there, looking back at
\n<\/span>me with shimmering plastic hair.
\n<\/span>I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!
\n<\/span>She was smiling at me like we were
\n<\/span>best friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next thing you know, I\u2019m rolling on the
\n<\/span>floor, begging my dad to let me claim
\n<\/span>her.
\n<\/span>I wasn\u2019t going to take no for an
\n<\/span>answer.
\n<\/span>I could see my dad standing there with
\n<\/span>trepidation.
\n<\/span>Finally, he came to his senses.<\/span><\/p>\n

I guess Karma caught me.
\n<\/span>I remember falling off a red vintage
\n<\/span>chair and was so dramatic about it
\n<\/span>that I laid on the floor for 1 minute
\n<\/span>waiting for my dad to pick me
\n<\/span>up. He wanted to laugh but my
\n<\/span>very serious face told him, \u2018don\u2019t push it\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though most of time I was being
\n<\/span>a little drama queen, I was pretty hilarious.
\n<\/span>I actually accidental re-created a
\n<\/span>scene in Bambi.
\n<\/span>Basically, it was pyjamas day at school
\n<\/span>and my bestie Adrienne and I
\n<\/span>came to class wearing bunny onesies.
\n<\/span>At break, I was going to re-unite with
\n<\/span>her to play\u2026
\n<\/span>Then CRASH!!!
\n<\/span>I was laying there on the concrete
\n<\/span>floor just like thumper on ice.
\n<\/span>Iconic, eh?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by Shana<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n


\nI\u2019ve Been Wondering\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been wondering\u2026
\n<\/span>Imagine in another world, in another universe\u2026
\n<\/span>People could smell videos\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

How mind blowing is that???
\n<\/span>Imagine just freezing someone\u2019s snap on snap-
\n<\/span>chat and they let out gas?
\n<\/span>How hilarious would that be?
\n<\/span>It\u2019ll almost kind of make you sorry for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

I wonder what it would be like if
\n<\/span>people acted like animals.
\n<\/span>Like as if we were all feral
\n<\/span>children.
\n<\/span>TBH we all kinda are. We have really
\n<\/span>bad mood swings that make us all
\n<\/span>look like hot-headed pigs.
\n<\/span>Our teeth are sharp and just weird. Ew.
\n<\/span>We bark at little kids and scare them away.
\n<\/span>I don\u2019t know about you but this is pure
\n<\/span>proof that we have scary animal syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n

(It\u2019s not an actual thing but it sounds
\n<\/span>cool so I\u2019ll let it be. )<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 by\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Shana<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Rowan McCabe<\/strong>\u00a0is a spoken word poet and workshop facilitator who regularly performs his work around the UK. He has appeared at Glastonbury Festival and the Royal Albert Hall, was the winner of the 2015 Great Northern Slam, was longlisted for a 2018 Saboteur Award and his work has been featured in the Guardian, on BBC Breakfast and was commissioned by Radio 3\u2019s The Verb. He has ran poetry and performance workshops for New Writing North, The Forge and in 2018 was invited to run a week\u2019s worth of sessions in The British School in the Netherlands.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Don MacDonald<\/strong>\u00a0has performed at Glastonbury, was a Great Northern Slam 2017 semi-finalist and won the 2018 Great Gateshead Slam. He runs the region\u2019s most successful spoken word event \u2013 Born Lippy, which showcases slam poets and international performers with support from national spoken word organisation Apples and Snakes. He was a Senior English Lecturer at Newcastle College, a youth worker for 13 years and has delivered poetry projects on behalf of Scotswood Area Strategy and Excelsior Academy. He has just completed an MA in creative writing at Northumbria University.
\n<\/em>
\n<\/span>SlamFresh<\/strong>\u00a0was funded by the Community Foundation and ran in conjunction with Apples and Snakes.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Myself and fellow poet Don MacDonald started SlamFresh because we both feel that there are very few opportunities for under 18s to perform at poetry events. Often poetry slams and open mics happen in a pub or a bar, so the only chance young people get to perform their work is in a school setting,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_surecart_dashboard_logo_width":"180px","_surecart_dashboard_show_logo":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_orders":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_invoices":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_subscriptions":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_downloads":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_billing":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_account":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"article_type":[9],"class_list":["post-331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-as","article_type-read"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":49,"label":"A+S"}],"article_type":[{"value":9,"label":"Read"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/DSC01740-1024x577.jpg",1024,577,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Fiona Simpson","author_link":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/author\/fiona\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":49,"name":"A+S","slug":"as","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":49,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":192,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","cat_ID":49,"category_count":192,"category_description":"","cat_name":"A+S","category_nicename":"as","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=331"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}