Thursday, November 20th, 2008, Carlton Johnson and Reginald Black where specially invited to George Washington University, one of the most prestigious college campuses in the D.C. area. Hosting their yearly poetry slam by the ladies of Strong Hall, Carlton and I arrived about six o’clock and after setting up Carlton and I took a walk around the college campus and prepared ourselves for the slam. It was then Carlton gave me a little history on how he became a poet also taking timeout to mentor a young talented man like myself.
We then headed back to the event which started at seven o’clock. Upon return, an attendant told us that we can leave our papers at the table. To my surprised the event mediator Sarah O’Conner who invited us was sitting in the room. I introduced myself and discovered she is actually one of my customers at my daily spot Farragut North Metro Station. I also introduced myself to the other attendants who were busy helping Sarah with posters and banners at the sign-in table. At this point everything was ready. The audience started filling the chairs within the piano room. Throughout the room art was displayed by artists of Miriam’s Kitchen with a beautifully display self-serving set up of food.
First to perform was Miriam’s Kitchen’s Writers group. Surprised to learn that such a talented group, tuned ears throughout the room listened to their performances. The first poet Roy from their Writers group was exceptionally well versed. Emotions filled the room when he read a poem about a lost friend, also performing another poet form their Writers group another talented writer preformed and up next yours truly dazzling the stage with his own work of artist skills in writing Reginald Black as a hush filled the room I was thinking that I had a tough act to follow, but after introducing myself and getting a round of applause I felt good about wanting to be heard. The poem I preformed was called “Lost and Confused.”
Afterward I introduced Carlton who also was given a round of applause. Carlton won the crowd over with his infamous “Passions of One’s Soul”. Disappointed we had to leave in such a hurry we packed our things and headed over to our next engagement that night. I felt being an advocate was hard work that night.
Contacts: Carlton Johnson [email protected], Reginald Black [email protected]
