Elizabeth Rose Murray

Part of the attraction of The Flatlake Festival was the chance to do a poetry slam on the Sunday. Armed with several erotic poems, a postcard from my father and a back-up poem the postcard inspired – I was determined to give it a go.

I’ve read before, but it was pretty disastrous. My voice was so shaky I think the spatter of applause afterwards was more a sympathy vote than appreciation for the poetry. So I’m rather proud of the fact that although the list was full when I arrived at the tent, I begged my way onto the list to perform.

First major poetry slam

I’m not a natural performer – I can address a crowd in factual situations (presentations, teaching or training) but there’s something raw and difficult about reading your own poetry. I’m also conscious of my north-eastern accent. Don’t get me wrong – I like accents – but mine is blunt and harsh and my intonation often gets me into trouble.

Anyway, I pushed for it and got what I wanted. The biggest obstacle was over, but there were a few surprises waiting:

1.    lots of children
2.    a huge crowd

The presence of so many children meant I decided to read the only non-erotic poem I had and it was the one I’d not practiced and had the least confidence in. The poetry slam hosts and some of the performers were so funny, that the riotous noise from the tent brought more and more people, until there wasn’t enough room in the tent. By the time my turn arrived, the crowd had swelled to around 150 people.

Somehow, it was much easier this time. I don’t know whether it was the size of the crowd or the fact that I broke the ice by knocking the microphone off its stand, or because I had the postcard to read as a lead-in.

The result? I made the crowd laugh, fluffed the last line, got a few cheers and came in third. None of that seems important – the amazing thing is that I went through with it and came away wanting to do more. I also learned the following:

1. follow your instinct (I should have read Silence)
2. practice your work

I´d recommend that anyone serious about writing gets their name out there not only online and through publications, but by facing a crowd. It gives a different persepctive and gives the solitary task of writing a solidity, a purpose. And if it falls flat, it´ll teach you something so you improve next time. Like the art of writing – it just takes time, effort and practice.

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