Marc's Leave of Absence

At the end of the 1999 NPS (National Poetry Slam) I announced the first of two leaves of absence I would take from my leadership role as lifetime president of Poetry Slam Inc. At the Slam Family meeting held at the Chopin Theater in Chicago I read a rough draft of the following letter to the faithful few present at the meeting. (That year not very many slam poets cared enough to attend the one and only organizational meeting held to ensure that the guy lines for the event were steady and secure.) It is interesting to note that many of issues addressed in the letter (officially sent on March 20, 2000) are still conditions affecting Poetry Slam Inc and the movement in America.

DEAR EC, SLAMMASTERS, & SLAM FAMILY, March 20, 2000

It’s been a struggle but I’m finally breaking free – I lingered on for months past the date I originally proposed as the commencement of my leave of absence. Like an over-responsible parent I’ve been rechecking everything in the household while the taxi waits at the curbside to hurry me away on my Leave of Absence vacation – will I ever get to the airport and take the trip I’ve promised myself?

Yes, I’m getting in the taxi now and I’ll be on the plane soon.

The TV business and the trademark infringements are the primary reasons for my delay. Over the past months they have caused Steve Marsh, the Executive Council, several dedicated Slam Family members, and myself much anxiety and a great deal of effort.

I’ve always considered the Slam (and all the philosophies that guide it) as a gift to be passed on freely to those who want to contribute to and carry-on its traditions , its reputation, and the development of performance poetry and its audiences. The generosity and energy of the thousands of dedicated slammers, organizers, and audience members over these past fourteen years has been astounding. All these combined energies are why we are now a prominent force for the enjoyment of performance poetry across the country and around the world.

But when outside entities try to use the reputation and resources built upon and by those energies for self-centered advancement and financial gain without recognition to or support of the Slam Family; or worse, cheapen the reputation of the Slam by associating it with slick, high price competitions or low caliber entertainment/literary gimmicks, I frankly get pissed off and can’t keep my nose out of it.

Yet, I am … I am going to climb into that taxi and take off for my Leave of Absence, and I think it’s a good time to do so. Steve Marsh has been doing a fabulous job as Business Manager. His wisdom, pragmatism, and hard work have already transformed PSI from a rag tag revolutionary impulse into a healthy, newborn institution. The EC and several highly involved slammasters and family members are daily addressing the problems and opportunities hurled at our fledgling non-profit identity. And as much as I have, in the past, fought the idea of the Slam Family becoming an institution -- that’s exactly what we need to be to survive the next years of our history.

Before I fly off into the nether world of my Leave of Absence I would like to offer a few observations about this thing we share in common – the Slam. Since I was there from the beginning I have a fairly good sense of how things have changed, and since I’m Marc I have strong opinions about which changes are good and which are detrimental to the future growth of the Slam Family. (If I were a guy with no opinions fourteen years ago, there most probably would be no such thing as a Slam Family.)

1) The emphasis on competition has become far too serious. “The Points are not the Point” axiom coined by Alan Wolfe is disappearing from our group consciousness. We have stopped being playful out of fear of offending the poet on stage and causing them (sometimes only in their minds) a point loss. I urge you to find ways to diminish the importance of who wins and enhance the elements of “fun” at the NPS and at all local slams.

2) Many of the works performed at slams nationally and locally are rhetorical. The tactics of the politician have replaced figurative beauty and subtle revelations of poetic language. More and more the profoundly sensitive poems are overshadowed by the easy and popular verbiage of the media salesmen. Such rhetoric plays to the mob mentality. Poetry, I opine, is a portal divine (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the bad rhyme.) not a pedestal for opinion and propaganda.

3) PSI needs to include within its governing constituency a group made up purely of audience members to temper the views of the performing poets. The balance of “poet concerns” to “audience concerns” is out of whack. A show that does not consider its audience’s needs is doomed to failure. To accommodate the performing poets at the expense of the audience means -- in the long run – no audience.

4) Great strides are being made to use the Slam reputation as a foundation for fresh creative ways of introducing poetry and performance poetry to a wider audience. This is what I see as the most important direction for PSI to take. Gary Glazer’s Poet Plaza project, the Slam Bus idea, Paul Seres’ Word TV project, and the other ideas being proposed are our future.

The Slam was never meant to be stuck within the limits of a competition. The original show was a “Variety Show of Poetry Entertainment aimed at assaulting your heart and mind.” (Where are the Poetry Ninjas when you need them?) If the Slam Family wants to continue to rock the world of poetry and make a difference, use PSI as a foundation to create the next “wild idea that works” to bring words and voices that matter to a public that needs them. Once again, climb on Puck’s back and fuck the competition. (That one is even worse.)

5) Lastly, all of you please continue to embrace each other as a family. That word “family” may seem corny, but that’s truly who and what we are. Danny knows Gary knows Deb knows Bob knows Taylor (who’s he) knows Pat knows Allison knows Ray knows Sarah knows Mike knows Reggie knows Maria knows Guy knows Paula knows Toby knows DJ knows Kenny knows Kim knows Tamara knows Jean knows Emily knows Krystal knows Cin knows Sheila knows Jim knows Ginger knows Alan … and on and on … think about it.

I lived the first thirty-five years of my life without such a family. (Not even close) It’s a rare and delightful thing to be part of. Don’t take it for granted.

As Steve will probably tell you there are two things I still have to finish up while on my Leave of Absence – the god damn taxes (the Chicago NPS was cleared about $15,000, all of which has gone to PSI in its efforts to establish itself as a non-profit organization – three cheers for Henry, Maria, and Emily) and the final negotiations with Paul Seres on the TV project. I hope to have these out of my hair by the end of May and then instead of being a lame duck president I’ll be a fully free and irresponsible wild goose poet again. Hooray! Honk Honk!

All my good wishes go with you. Be good to each other – but, please, don’t stop the arguing, I’d never recognize you when and if I come back.

Marc (So What!) Smith