Slam Poem by: Reid Castillo

(In the style of a southern pastor)

It is said (Short pause)

that every moment (emphasize) counts. (Pause)

To cherish every second of the day until you're dead. (Long pause) 

(Increase speed and volume)

What if every moment is the same? (Pause)

What if you sit, doing the same thing, expecting your life to change? 

Will you ever break the cycle that you have molded into your life?

Will insanity (Emphasize) ravage every neuron in your brain until you (Emphasize) lash out?

(Long pause, Deep breath, Soft spoken)

Nothing, (Long Pause)

Nothing will change. (Pause)

Is there any reason? (Pause)

ponder that—

In fact (Emphasize) don’t because in the end (Emphasize each word), who will care? (Pause)

(Gradual increase in volume)

Ask your friends, ask your parents, ask the 5th therapist you’ve been to that 

Knows you but (Emphasize each word) does not see you. (Long Pause) 

Scour the internet for help. (Pause)

Have it tell you to dive into the (Emphasize) black nothingness so that it can (Emphasize each word) spit you out. (Pause)

Have it tell you that one must fall so deep that you cannot fall any further,

But for how long (Short Pause)

must you (Short Pause) 

(Emphasize) Endure. (Long Pause)

(Collecting thoughts, Quiet and reserved) 

How do I tell him? (Pause)

(Long-winded, Sorrowful) 

How can I say to him that he’s spent a thousand of the forty-seven hundred (Emphasize) weeks of his (Emphasize) life following something he doesn't believe he's good at? (Pause)

(Sniffle, Short breath)

How can I diminish the false hope that has dictated every step he took. (Pause) 

Should I allow him to remain blissful? (Short Pause)

Or should I try to communicate with his hollow shell? (Long Pause)
(Look down) 

Nothing, (Long Pause) 

Tell him, (Pause)

(Quiet, Spoken under breath)

Nothing. (Long Pause) 

(Long-winded cackle, Smile, Increased volume)

You dare not say it (Pause)

You dare not say it because you worry they’ll send them after you 

Lock you up 

And feed you 

Their 

(Angrily)

DELUSIONS. (Long pause)

(Deep Breath, Yelling on the brink of tears)

You are not lost; I reach to you—and I see you, and I pray that I can guide you. (Pause)

You may not understand it, but you know it. (Pause)

You fear it, yet you are intrigued by its existence. (Pause)

You must embrace its’ undying potential (Pause)

 and let the belief (Emphasize) SURGE into you’re 

(Emphasize) VEINS.