poetry readings
"Poetry is the language of the soul, and readings are the way to connect with others who have similar souls."
There is something special about poetry readings. It is a way to slow down and appreciate the beauty in words.
When you read poetry, you are connecting with the author on a deep level. It is a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with your emotions.
Reading poetry can be a healing experience. In this article, I share some insightful information on poetry readings while sharing readings from a few of my poetry collections by my hired narrators, students, supporters, and customers. Do enjoy.
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11 Poetry Readings Worth Listening

In today’s fast-paced society, it can be difficult to find time to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.
However, taking a few moments to enjoy a good poem can be a rewarding experience. Here are 11 poetry readings that are worth listening to:
1. My Plea-read by Haley Adderley
My Plea
I am trying baby, But I am tired of fighting These surging urges. I can’t conceal them anymore, I don’t want to fight any longer. You set me afire, You ignite the fuel in depths Of my soul. It’s the effortless ease In which you carry Your natural blessings. It’s the electricity in your inviting eyes. It’s the trailing scent Of your hypnotizing perfume. It’s your charming And friendly personality. It’s your sensuous simplicity. Baby, please. Am counting my lucky stars And Consulting Shamans, Hoping that I have A fighting chance. My wilting willpower Has grown weary, And my reliable resistance is getting Weaker. I am tired baby, Have mercy on me. Baby please, I am weak.
2. The Wind and Your Hair–read by Tiana Melvina
The Wind and Your Hair
I enjoy the way your hair Take flight in the wind Obediently dancing To every rhythmic beat. I love the fragrance Your hair releases To the command of The whispering wind. I appreciate the way The sun finds its way Through each wispy strand Lending rich colour To your clustered beauty In every way. I enjoy the way the wind Play those tender games With your hair, One moment it tenderly Toss a few strands Concealing your eyes And Every now and again Enough strands To obscure your entire face, Some strands are even Wise enough To steal a kiss by Slipping through your lips. I love the way you slowly Brush those disobedient Strands away with such Seductive ease. I love the sight of your hair Blowing and flowing In the wind.
3. Individual by Sasha Davis-narrated by Ashia King
Individual
I don’t owe you my light In your darkness. I don’t owe you The smile that dances Above my chin just beneath The tip of my nose. I don’t owe you The breath from my lungs. I don’t owe you The laughter in my soul, The fire in my eyes, The beat of my heart. You don’t get to have me at my best When you discarded me At my worst. My heart is not your playground, My feelings are not your playthings, My tears are not your swimming pools, And my mouth is not your garden. My body is not your forest, My fingertips are not your branches. I don’t hold roots in this world But one of a higher calling I’m a seed sown in rich soil I'm an individual immersed in My own self.
Key Take Away: No matter how it is approached, reading poetry can be a rewarding experience. It can provide insight into the human condition, and expand one's understanding of the world. It can also be a source of great beauty and joy.
How to Read Poetry Book
In order to understand how to read poetry, one must first understand the basics of poetry. Poetry is a type of literature that uses language to express emotions or ideas in a rhythmic or musical way. There are many different types of poems, and each type has its own unique form and purpose. In order to read poetry effectively, one must be able to identify the different elements of a poem, such as the rhyme scheme, meter, and stanza structure.
4. The Good Samaritan-read by Amor Ferguson
The Good Samaritan
He never fitted into the intricate tapestry She created of her perfect lover. He stumbled upon her In the love wilderness. She was badly broken. He fed her the sun on her darkest days. Rearranged the stars to brighten Her darkest nights. He gave her wings to fly again. Added sparkles to her bleak eyes. Sheltered and comforted her Through pouring tears, And put a melodious song in her heart. He never asked or looked for anything In return, He was just a good Samaritan Restoring a sister Who was fractured by another of Her insensitive perfect lover.
5. Drenched-read by Tiana Melvina
Drenched
I am drenched With desires for you. You showed me a snippet of Your sweetness and now I’m left with uncontrollable longings. I am drenched With desires for you. Your irresistible blessings Keep toying with me, You test my self-control And logical reasoning daily I am drenched With desires about you. I am drenched With your tantalizing tendencies, Your butterfly gaze, Your sugary smile, Your graceful walk And your tranquillizing voice. I am drenched With insatiable desires for you.
6. Swimming Lessons-read by Monique Gill
Swimming Lessons
Don’t be alarmed This was the norm For us none swimmers. We would accompany Our brothers and their friends On their swimming adventures In the forbidden river. And as always Most of us sat on the safe side of The river bank or For those who felt courageous The treacherous bridge. We watched in admiration As they demonstrated their swimming Skills while they frolic And horseplay with each other In the dark water. And when they got Tired and bored Their attention turned to us. The little boys with ‘swift feet’ and ‘nuff mouth.’ They perused us Like hunters. Sometimes the faster runners Manage to elude the chasing pack While the slow runners Were always caught. The chasing pack was Well-coordinated, They were too many chasers And most of us invariable Got caught because We became tired. The captured were brought back Kicking and screaming With no heed given To our loud and desperate pleas. We were brought to the middle Of the bridge and suddenly The river transformed into an ocean. With hands and feet held By two captors we were Swung like a swing in the park. Once... Twice... And on the third swing Toss high And far to the center of The deep river With a parting instruction To swim to the edge. On the first occasion I was tossed I remember going down The first time And i saw my world Flashed before my trepid eyes, I resurfaced moments later Feet kicking, And Hands splashing water. I was screaming in fear But none of it helped me Or earned any help or sympathy From the skilled swimmers Looking on. And within seconds The river seems to suck me Below again for The second time, On this occasion, i swear i saw my Mother bawling at my funeral. But somehow i surfaced again From this watery torture. This time i heard my brothers And his friends shouting, Swim! Swim! I was trying my best to no avail And as i was about to Go below for The third time To drink more water and Die for sure I felt the gentle hands Of my big brother Holding me around my waist Reassuring me that i will be ok. He held me while he swam To the shallow side of The river’s edge. When we got there I was instructed To hold on to the grass On the bank of the river and Practicing my kicking And floating skills. My heart was pounding I was existing on the limited breath I started vomiting River water like a pipe While my other brothers And their friends were Having a healthy laugh At the whole episode. For some unexplained reason We accompanied them On these swimming escapades Every time despite knowing Our fragile fate. After repeated exposure To being tossed in The middle of the river, Coupled with my Practice sessions in The shallow portion It all eventually paid off. I gradually learned to swim.
Key Take Away: There are many different ways to approach reading poetry. You can read it for enjoyment, or you can analyze it for deeper meaning. You can also read poetry aloud, which can help you to appreciate the sound and rhythm of the words.
Why Read Poetry
In the fast-paced, constantly-connected world we live in, it can be easy to forget the importance of slowing down and taking a break from the noise. One way to do this is by reading poetry.
Poetry has been shown to provide a range of mental health benefits, including reducing stress, improving memory and concentration, and increasing self-awareness.
7. I Wanna-read by Shania Bellany
I Wanna
I wanna ride You to the precipice Of your fluid imagination Where no rules exist. I wanna flirt With your obscene obsessions Playing your dangerous Love games. I wanna wrestle With your unending urges Just so you can Pin me into breathless submission. I wanna bend You like a bow Just to accommodate My anxious arrow. I wanna travel With you to those Forbidden places Where we can live Dangerously And Our hearts beat Uncontrollably.
8. Twin Tales (Mary’s Story), read by Monique Gill
Twin Tales (Mary’s Story)
This was no Immaculate Conception, Mary and her boyfriend was Just fooling around. She got pregnant. The pressure that came with That realization was unimaginable. Hiding from her classmates, Thinking: How would she finish school? What would mom and dad say? How would her boyfriend take the news? She didn’t know what to do. To her boyfriend, she broke the news, But he became a flip-flopping fool And couldn’t make up his mind. So, she decided one day to visit The doctor. She said he forcibly evicted the fetus From her womb and after Stuffing it Into a jar with fluid, He gave her the news. “They were twins,” she said calmly. I saw the horror in her face And felt her pain as she grabbed her now Vacant tummy. “Twins! Twins! Twins!” she screamed softly. He tears flowed like torrential rain. She was feeling pain only a mother Could understand. TWINS. Twins… Wasn’t that her blessing? Why didn’t the doctor advise her Or counsel her? I sat in her pregnant sadness Silently thinking, And questions started popping up: What’s the purpose of the Hippocratic Oath? Did those jars conceal their silent screams? What does the abortionist do with These everyday memories? What was he thinking while staring Into a young girl’s eye? Does he have a daughter? It wasn’t Immaculate Conception, But they were twins. TWINS! Isn't that some kind of sin? I am in no position to judge But after all these years I can still recall Mary’s story And for me The pain and sadness Never fades. They were twins
Key Takeaway: Reading poetry can be a rewarding experience, providing insights into the human condition and the world around us. It can also be a great way to relax and unwind.
How to Read Poetry
When it comes to reading poetry, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to get the most out of the experience.
- It’s important to read the poem aloud. This will help you to better understand the rhythm and flow of the piece.
- It’s helpful to read the poem more than once. This allows you to pick up on different details and layers that you may have missed the first time around.
- To understand and appreciate poetry, one must be willing to engage in close reading. This means taking the time to carefully examine each word and line of the poem, considering its literal meaning as well as its figurative implications.
- Look at the overall form and structure of the poem, as this can often give clues as to the poet’s intent.
- Paying attention to the sound of the words can also help you to pick up on any subtle nuances in the poem’s meaning.
9. I Am the Teacher You Love to Hate-read by Delicia Andrews
I Am the Teacher You Love to Hate
I am the teacher you love to hate I sit and listen to their pains I am the one who sees their small gains And dare to celebrate. I am the teacher you love to hate. I get branded ‘soft.' I get reprimanded for not following the rules Just because I refused to be a fool. I am the teacher who chooses to Teach my students rather than a subject. I am the teacher you love to hate. I take the time to see and feel their pains, I take time to look a little deeper, To be a little friendlier, To be a father, A big brother, A disciplinarian, and Surrogate husband to imaginary mothers. I am the teacher you love to hate. I share their rainy days and teary eyes, I hear their silent cries. I laugh heartily in their funny company. I take the time To care, To love, To counsel, To advice. I am the teacher you love to hate. I take time to hold their hands, To leave my lessons unattended Just to console. I walk with them, Talk with them, Confront their fears with them, I am always there for them. Yes… I am the teacher you love to hate. I refuse to accept their mediocrities Refused to accept their superficial ‘I can't.’ I remind them of Their-Story Not His-Story. Our-Story. I show them life on a chalkboard. I AM THAT TEACHER! I am that teacher, And I am proud to be, Without any apologies.
10. Seasons of Susan, read by Larry Herron
Seasons of Susan
Before… Before I came to know you Oh, how I longed for you, Longed for your touch, Longed for your companionship, Longed to savour your flavor. I yearned to taste your Sweet and sultry beauty. I craved for you. During… During the season of Susan Oh, how I relished your essence, Each drop, precious, priceless, Unique. The experience took me Above and beyond the clouds. There I lazed in blissful tranquility Satisfied…I was high. Then suddenly… Suddenly. You vanished! Like a prey from its hunter. My ecstasy ripped from beneath me. After… Now I am back to where I began Longing… Yearning… Craving… Wanting… Remembering… The Seasons of Susan.
11. One dance, read by Larry Herron
One Dance
In a dimly lit café Her natural beauty illuminated the table. Soft red lights gentle caresses Her luscious features as slow reggae jams Dominate the cozy space. Beres Hammond was at his vintage best, So I asked you for one dance. That night, the DJ was indulging in Musical Sorcery- With every selection, we sink DEEPER And DEEPER and DEEPER In a sea of romantic fantasies. Her now warm body so soft I can taste her silky smoothness. Her head upon my chest as the lyrics Takes us away captives. My lips refashioned from Whispering honeyed words, To playfully pecking her forehead To lightly caressing Her irresistible lips. We are now drifting in musical waves Where slow Dancehall bump and grind evokes Fast and choppy breaths. Sensual rhythms tie us up so close That the tip of my nose Skim across her steaming body The heat… Radiates the soothing fragrance Of her arresting perfume- I am anchored! We are lost in this dancehall sea And time no longer has meaning As we sail on from One musical selection to another, Riding the waves of a multitude Of lyrical passion.
Key Takeaway: Poetry is meant to be heard, not just read silently on the page. Poetry readings are a great way to connect with an audience and bring the poems to life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poetry Readings
1. What are poetry readings called?
Answer: There is no one answer to this question as different poetry readings can go by different names. However, some common names for poetry readings include open mic nights, slam poetry events, and poetry slams.
2. Where can I find poetry readings?
- Answer: There are many places to find poetry readings. You can look online for listings of local events, or check with your local library or bookstore. Many colleges and universities also have regular poetry readings.
3. How do you give good poetry readings?
- Answer: There are a few things you can do to make sure your poetry reading is successful. First, practice reading your work out loud beforehand so that you are comfortable with the material. Second, make eye contact with your audience and speak clearly so they can follow along. Finally, try to add some inflection to your voice to keep things interesting.
4. What is the meaning of reading poetry?
- Answer: There is no one answer to this question as the meaning of reading poetry can differ for each person. However, some people may read poetry for enjoyment, to appreciate the beauty of the language, or to better understand the emotions and experiences of the poet. Additionally, some people may find that reading poetry can help them to better express their own emotions and thoughts.
Final Thoughts on Poetry Readings
As we conclude this article on poetry readings, it is important to remember one important point. It is essential to understand the purpose of a poetry reading.
A poetry reading is not simply a recitation of a poem; rather, it is an opportunity for the poet or the reader to share their interpretation of the poem with an audience in order to create a connection between the two.
This connection is essential in order for the poem to have its intended effect.
If you're struggling to find enjoyment in reading poetry, this How To Read Poetry post will show you how to read poetry with a new perspective. By the end, you'll be able to see the beauty in poems and understand them on a much deeper level. Don't miss out on the opportunity to engage with poetry in a whole new way – dive into this guide now!
These were all so beautiful. 🥺❤️❤️
Thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.