This was one of the most rewarding nights of poetry I've ever been a part of.

The plan was to have the students from the 10-week course I've been teaching come out to the night (BEFORE the typically raunchy night starts, of course) and have a semi-private showcase of local poets perform for them in preparation for their own assembly at school next week.  The poets - Rose Smith, Dave "Big Daddy" Noble, Gina Blaurock, Dan Thress and Donielle Johnson - were absolutely phenomenal (and 100% school-safe!).  After the features ran, I had some of the students read and that's when the magic really kicked into gear.  

Two weeks ago - two weeks! - I had a group of shrinking violets.  Last night I had freakin' slam poets!  The students were really taken with the features, immeidtaely began incorporating the lessons of the night, and all of their hard work to date showed to boot.  They were putting on a SHOW, man - costume changes, off the mic stuff...they just went there.  The chaperones that came with them - their advisor Maureen, the principal of the school, a parent and a handful of teachers - were blown away.  NO ONE knew the program had developed these kids to this extent, and I was immeausrably proud of them.  I was originally excited for them to see the Writers' Block poets and venue, but as the show progressed it really turned into a communal thing that just dug into the kids and pulled out all fo this beautiful effort. the lovefest during and after the show was really tear-inducing.  Not for ME of course, but....for others.  Lots of little stories in here. --Scott Woods

Made possible by a grant from the Ann Sherry Foundation. Bust-A-Rhyme takes place at Independence High School, Columbus, Ohio. Project creator/coordinator: Maureen Welp, Graduate Student, Ohio State University.

Bust-A-Rhyme poets: Charity Love, Kiara Smoot, Kyieshia Locke, Megan Beckman, Alexis Taylor, Ciera Shanks.