Mass Poets Really ‘Louder Than a Bomb!’

By Haley Tran

Dorchester, MA-“Listen to the poem!” Dissatisfaction roars throughout the crowd at every slam… if they don’t like the judgement of a performance.

Louder Than a Bomb, held this year on May 6, 2016,  is the biggest poetry slam and festival in Massachusetts, as well as the US.  Louder Than a Bomb was founded in Chicago, but has progressively spread across the nation.

A poetry slam offers a forum for poets to share the spoken word genre, a public forum for free verse.  

The audience claps, snaps, and yells out support when they hear a line that really touches them.

In the past month, Louder Than a Bomb has gathered together 42 schools in the region with around 300 young voices to share their story.

On May 6th, four teams were the spotlight in Strand Theatre: Freeverse!, Codman Academy, Urban Ego, and Indigo Poets Society took the Finals Stage by storm.

Each team was competing for the opportunity to be able to be put on a team for the international slam, Brave New Voices in Washington, D.C. on July 12-16. http://youthspeaks.org/bravenewvoices/

Other than that, Louder Than A Bomb is a large showcase of the best of the best slam teams in Massachusetts this year.

From fourth to first place: Freeverse!, Codman, Indigo Poet Society, and Urban Ego. Every poet was fantastic and unique in their own way despite their ranks in the competition.

The scores and numbers aren’t the point; the point is the poetry!

Slams are often criticized for harsh scrutiny and possible discouragement by the possibility of low scores, but we clearly emphasize how important poetry is and not the points.

Louder Than a Bomb is an amazing experience to be a part of regardless of your status as a writer or not.

Poets in this field are innovative and not just writers, but performers and advocates for a fresh outlet to share stories.

We are more than just talented people who can form a metaphor: we are a tight-knit community built upon love and support. There is no community more welcoming and radiant than the ones found within spoken word.

Anyone who is even the slightest bit interested should take no hesitation in attending a local slam or open mic. Even if you can’t write, it is a wonderful sight to witness.