Poetry Slam Response

          Tucked away on the corner of 4^th and Broadway in Lowertown, Saint Paul, the Black Dog Tavern recently hosted a poetry slam called “Nu Griot’s Gumbo Revolution.” The small wine and coffee bar was packed to the point where there was nowhere to sit or stand to see the local poets. Among the Minneapolis and Saint Paul natives performing that night was the once aspiring people’s politician, Marcus Harcus. Harcus read a few of his pieces, which ranged from three to four pages. Between each page break he was so passionate that he threw each finished page to the floor with great emphasis. Harcus focused on the huge gap between the rich and the poor present in today’s society. He read his poem titled “The Missing Class Ain’t the Middle Class,” but I was unable to find a copy of it at the slam or online. Essentially, Harcus talked about how the majority of Americans are living in poverty and that the comfortable middle class is nonexistent. He talked about how there was a lack of jobs even for qualified people, which brought several sounds of approval from the audience. Harcus' prose style equipped with long lines allowed him to elevate the intensity of his performance with each word, drawing the audience in closer and closer with each breath. His performance seemed bigger than the bar itself, covering issues so big and prominent.
          Even though I couldn’t find “The Missing Class Ain’t the Middle Class” online, (other than references to it on Harcus’ fan page) I found another poem written by Harcus about how history seems to have skipped over the era of slavery in its detailed volumes. Yes, Marcus Harcus wrote another long ass poem: http://nefermaathotep.tumblr.com/post/46223106839/via-marcus-harcus-wrote-another-long-ass-poem Harcus uses prose in his poem entitled “Getting Over Slavery & Getting Over Racism” to convey his thoughts on how we avoid talking about slavery in today’s society. A line from this poem that really struck me is in the first stanza: “Although they [Americans] don’t mind commemorating the better parts of our national history, things they can be proud of, they’d rather forget and downplay the significant influence and trauma of the ugly aspects, things that are deeply shameful, like historical oppression of the indigenous and Stolen African populations.” Harcus is very blunt and assertive in writing about this sensitive topic, showing his passion and mindset on the topic. I think the free prose style of this poem allows Harcus to display how he truly feels without the limitations of rhyme or meter, making it that much more meaningful.

            The poetry of Marcus Harcus focuses on issues of today’s society and what we can do to resolve them. His poetry has meaning and conveys concepts the everyday man can relate with, and for this I find his work very grounded and progressive. His performances of these poems only make them more powerful, and I am glad I went and witnessed his poetry out loud.