West Texas Poets

We are the West Texas Poets!

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Poetic Spitacular. 1/24/15. Kamiposi. 

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What's Your Poison

Whats your poison?

I am a small line white as snow I help people forget what they came to know I'm worse than cancer cause I make you kill yourself searching for an answer

I am a heart, that pounds at ones sight I worry as if to be broken tonight each day I am deeper in love each day I am caged like a helpless dove

I am the mirror of self doubt I'll show you everything that genetics left out I'm the horrors beauty wants you to see everything you wanted but could never be

I am a drink that soothes the soul I kill your liver but help you forget long ago I help in a pinch but later you'll see that alcohols a prison you cant break free

By A.M

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Please vote for me! 

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Local Open Mics

Alright, a lot of people have been asking lately, so here it is, a list of open mics/poetry slams in the area.  Permian Basin, TX:  Tea2Go, Midland, TX-- Every weekend, 7 pm, Open Mic/Art Show/Poetry Nights. Website:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tea2go/1549104108634807?ref=br_tf Kamiposi, Midland, TX-- Shows most weekends. Open mics on Wednesdays. Website: https://www.facebook.com/kamiposi  The Ground Floor, Midland, TX-- 2nd Saturday of the Month. Open Mic. Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheGroundFloorMidlandTX  To those who say there is no poetry, look around. More locations upon request.

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In The Beginning

In The Beginning  I like to imagine at night,  When the sky is speckled  With stars and each looks  Like a different freckle on  Your sleeping face,  That I was made from  Your rib.  I am attached to your backbone,  Giving you strength and support Whether you know it or not… I am attached to your sternum,  Curving around your organs,  Like spiny fingers stroking  The ebony and ivory keys  In a consecrated chapel,  Resonating with every twist and turn Of your torso.  I am the protector of your heart,  Pumping life just beneath Your chest.  I am the protector of your lungs,  Aware of your constant breath,  Unfailing as it travels from day  To night to day.  I feel every hiccup and cough  Like a tornado ripping your  Breath out of its home.  As you arch your back  To make love to me,  I can't help but notice  How thin you look,  How your ribs protrude  From your skin  Like a lost dog.  I want to be the meat  On your bones,  The delicious bits  You savor like memories.  I was made to be part Of you,  A single shooting star  In the night sky.  Together we would be whole,  A galaxy of constellations Showering down on us From the pitch-black heavens.  We fit like puzzle pieces  Ever expanding outwards  Like generations to come.  As I lean my head against  Your ribs and count them,  As I count my blessings… Like sheep to fall asleep.  I wonder if I shattered Beneath you,  Would a piece of me  Pierce your  Patient heart?  -Seraphine

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The Crowded City Bus

THE CROWDED CITY BUS Riding around town on a crowded city bus, nobody notices him. Nobody makes a fuss. Staring out of the window, watching the world pass him by. As each person disembarks, he slowly waves a goodbye. Some wave back to him and give him a bright smile. Soon to be forgotten again, but he is happy for a little while. So is his ill fated life. Lonely and beginning to fray. Riding the crowded city bus as time passes day after day. Until, one day, there is an empty seat on this crowded city bus. Will anyone notice? Will anyone make a fuss? So, where do the homeless go? Do we really care to even know? Rarely are they heard or seen. Fading away as if they had never been. Though tragedy can befall any of us, no matter how hard we may strive. One thing we should always consider is the importance and relevance of all life. Now, when you see a homeless person  on a crowded city bus, notice and engage them. Care enough to make a fuss. For this could be you.... 2015 Tony Henninger

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Check out this new track! 

-Seraphine

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West Texas Talent and Entertainment

A special message from our friends at West Texas Talent Entertainment:  West Texas Talent is excited to announce that for the next three months they will be working, with other people and groups, to create and facilitate events at the Tea2Go location in Midland. These events will allow a large group of diverse artist to display and present their talents in a family type atmosphere. The following events have been scheduled on Saturdays starting Jan 17th and ending on April 4th.  Jan 17th Open Mic Musical Night 6 to 9 PM  Jan 24th Game Night 6 to 9 PM New and classic games will be available. Jan 31st Art Night 6 to 9 PM Local artist will have a chance to show, sell, and talk about their art.  Feb 7th Poetry Night 8 to 10 PM Events will continue each Saturday with special nights as of now being: Feb 21st the " Know it all" Trivia Contest. $5 Entry Fee Cash and Prizes to the winner. March 14th. Singer Song Writer Contest. $10 Entry fee. Perform your best original songs for a chance to win cash and prizes. I am very excited to have this opportunity to work with Tea2Go and allow our members to showcase themselves and gain more experience and exposure. If you would like to participate in any of the events please send me a message. Each event type will have their own facilitator soon.  Thank You. Daniel R. Ryan III Executive Director West Texas Talent Entertainment

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JanSlam Results

Congrats to all who competed and participated last. First, a huge thank you to our sponsors: West Texas Talent Association and Tea2Go. Second, a big thank you to our emcee Daniel Ryan, our opening act, Tere Harris, and our last minute slammer, Jerry White!  Here are your slam results:  1. Jocelyn Mosman 2. Mariah Stettner  3. Kayla Keel 4. Matthew Rios  5. Joyclyn Freeman  6. Jerry White  7. Kaylee Sims  8. Josh Weir  Thanks for all who came out! We are looking at another poetry slam in February. Stay tuned for more information.  Also, not busy on Friday? Tea2go is hosting an open mic acoustic guitar night this Friday at 6 pm! Don't miss out! Support our sponsors and drink tea!

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January Invitational Poetry Slam Lineup

Your January Invitational Poetry Slam Line Up for this Evening:  1. Kayla Keel 2. Mariah Stettner  3. Josh Weir 4. Jocelyn Mosman  5. Katie Lyn G 6. Joyclyn Freeman  7. Kaylee Sims 8. Matthew Rios  If you want to see this spectacular line up, join us tonight at 7 pm at Tea2Go in Midland. In the Chipotle/Abuelos parking lot off of Loop 250. Don't miss out!

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Imaginary Friend

Imaginary friend It was easier to write about him When I pretend he never existed. Just a figment of my imagination floating in and out of memories, an imaginary the friend. So when I had to remind myself in my tears at 3am. That was never mine at least I could come back with he wasn't real, he wasn't anyone's. Just the dreams of a lonely girl who had everything but wanted something special.  But there's always pictures documenting every single step of their lives together and it seems that she can't even pretend.  First meeting snap First hug snap First time she ever held onto him he was the only life vest in the sinking boat snap The first fight snap The first time the words I'm sorry I hurt you I didn't mean to do it were written snap The first I love you he never replied to snap The first time he smacked her down like the hand of God saying we're just friend I don't want that, stop snap The first time didn't speak for a week snap The friendship deteriorating in every photo starting from a beautiful day ending in the worst night.  They were getting back to normal it seemed as if the key to growth of friendship again graduation some people say it's a time where you leave the ones that you once loved behind but they were building a new road paving something that was going to be beautiful Then She died someone who wasn't even a player their your game but apparently she was a huge part of his and it seemed like it was starting all over again First time he ever said I can't talk to you snap First time his birthday went by her present wasn't received First time he ever looked at there from prom photos in the only thing could see was what was missing snap It was always easier to think of him as something that wasn't real and imaginary friend something that she could hold in her hand but wouldn't have to share with the rest of the world because it was just her use until that she has to look in the mirror and realize he's not there but he never felt the same.  ~ Calliope

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Phoenix Rising

"Phoenix Rising"  She is Phoenix rising  Like the sun,  Daily marching on. It takes more than flames  To stop her.  It takes more than water  To drown her.  It seems that the flames  Only serve to purify her,  Refine her.  If you feed her flames,  Oh, she'll go down,  But only to rise again.  What you see as her ashes,  She uses as her building blocks.  By tearing her down,  You're handing her the tools  One by one.  Oh, yes, the fires burn indeed,  But she is only as strong  As she wills herself to be.  Only a fool would think  That she experiences  A complete absence of pain.  Lest you think  That she never feels  The searing flames;  The scars underneath Scream a different story.  Her power comes from  Her ability to adapt and embrace. Scars do not serve  As definitions;  Rather, they serve  As adjectives.  She is Phoenix rising Like the sun.  But her day is never done,  For she doesn't believe  That nightfall means Her battles are over  And won.  - Rose

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Til I Rise

‘Til I Rise O great protector of the eyes How I long for thee to shut,  Thou shalt not see daylight til I rise.  My bed is not the right size,  Fitting all of me, except for my butt,  O great protector of the eyes.  Sweet in bed is where my body lies,  Alas, my feeble home—my lovely hut,  Thou shalt not see daylight til I rise.  Your member in me thrice dies,  Perhaps you call me thy dirty slut,  O great protector of the eyes.  If I were asleep, I’d hear no cries,  And to my muse, who is stuck in this rut, Thou shalt not see daylight til I rise.  Were I to say you should be circumcised,  You would wince in pain at that deep cut,  O great protector of my eyes.  I write this villanelle for thy thighs,  Though formal, it sounds like smut,  O great protector of my eyes Thou shalt not see daylight til I rise.  -Seraphine

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Ghosts

With a blank stair from beyond the window pane she whispered "Do you believe in ghost?" I looked up from the blood red twine I had been lacing between her veins and said "But of course I do, I believe in myself.." My words trailed away from that moment and the silence sank back into the room with a heavy air. The twine was bright and beautiful against her ivory skin. So I laced through every intricate part of her being, over under, over under. Once the twine became tangled in her regrets, but I was able to free it and continue. My hands began to pull the scarlet cords, and she slowly began to come back together. All of her pieces, though bound, were one again. With a grateful heart, all be it broken she turned to me and smiled. "My darling, who says we are not the things that haunt us?" "Who's hollow bones rattle through this house in mourning?" "And by what measure were you shattered, that of a man?" "You forget yourself my love, we are all ghost here.." And with that I turned back away from the mirror to face the room without windows where I had been left to mend my broken soul.  GRAYE 11.11.14

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The World Will Hear Us

The World Will Hear Us I want to be able to say I Do  One day to the person I want  To marry.  I want to be able to say yes To the wedding dress and cake  Without people giving me dirty looks. When I say I like older guys,  I get called a gold digger and  When he says he likes me back,  He is called a cradle robber.  When I say I like girls,  I get called a fake and a pseudo lesbian.  When a girl likes me back,  She is compromising and lowering her standards.  Love shouldn’t be given a name  Or a title.  It isn’t one size fits all.  Love is custom made For every body shape, size,  And sexuality.  It’s formatted to fit uniquely,  Not universally.  Whether I choose to care for A man or woman or someone In between  Does not make me any more or less Eligible for love.  Love does not always require  Marriage or church bells  Or sex or fighting.  It’s the way bodies move  In a sweaty room to music.  It’s the way poetry tastes on the tongue.  It’s the way applause sounds  To an actress.  Love smells like rain and roses  And new grass and old books.  Love smells musty and fresh  At the same time.  Love doesn’t have to make sense  Or fit into a square or circle.  When I finally make my way  To the altar to say I Do  To the person I love the most, I will say yes so loud,  The world will hear it. When I first make love to  That beautiful person, I will say yes so loud, The world will hear it.  When I first say I love you, I will say it as a whisper,  And the world will be filled  With open ears and sensitive hearing. The world will hear me say yes  And the person I say it to  Will be there with me,  And the world will know  What love is, in its crooked, Sideways, half drunk state,  And in its most poetic state.  The world will know that I said yes No matter to whom or when or where  I choose to say it.  I just hope that when I do, The world will choose  To say yes with me. -Seraphine

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PSA

Hello everyone! Can we get this page up and running again? Poets! Please share your poetry! Readers-- Give us suggestions on what you'd like to read, and feedback for what is posted! :) This is what the community is all about. Let's revive ‪#‎WestTexasPoets‬!

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Slow and Steady

Slow and Steady  September slowly creeps  It's way to October.  The leaves dye themselves  With bits of sunlight.  They are transformed  Into diamonds under rain's  Spherical droplets.  Slowly the months come  And slowly they pass us by,  Like snails moving south.  The sun no longer ascends  And the arch of the moon  Is not as great as in June.  Summer slipped away  Into autumn,  And the crisp air becomes  Stale with rain in my lungs.  Coughing up chunks of memory From spring's allergies,  I learn that my breath is leaking away And I, too, am on a journey,  Slowly creeping my way,  Month by month,  Day by day,  To the cemetery.  -Seraphine