Yale University’s two spoken word performance groups, ¡Oye! and WORD at Yale, are fostering community and self-expression through the art of poetry. These groups provide platforms for students to explore their vulnerabilities while challenging the conventions of traditional written poetry.
On **November 7, 2023**, WORD hosted its fall semester showcase, aptly named “Word on the Street.” The event featured a diverse collection of freeform poetry, with a thematic focus on the human body connecting the various performances. Following closely, ¡Oye! is set to present its own showcase, titled “Bittersweet,” on **November 16, 2023**, centering on themes of nostalgia and wistfulness.
Faven Wondwosen, a co-president of WORD, emphasizes the unique environment of slam poetry, stating, “For just a few minutes when you’re up on stage, you’re creating a space where everyone feels similarly, where everyone feels the same. It’s a moment of mass empathy.” This sentiment reflects the transformative power of spoken word poetry, bridging the gap between the written word and personal experience through performance.
Both groups place a strong emphasis on community and shared experience. In preparation for their upcoming performance, ¡Oye! poets have dedicated their weekly meetings to writing pieces inspired by the theme “Bittersweet.” These sessions often begin with students sharing personal highs and lows, creating a vulnerable atmosphere conducive to creativity. Following this, participants engage in 30 minutes of writing based on a prompt from artistic director **Emily Singh**. Singh notes the variety of interpretations that emerge from a single prompt, highlighting the creativity and emotional depth present within the group.
Sara Ramos, another co-president of ¡Oye!, speaks to the joy of performing for a bilingual audience, noting that the ability to resonate with poems in both English and Spanish enhances the experience for all attendees. Audience engagement is a key aspect of their performances, encouraging spectators to express their support through snaps and verbal affirmations. The name ¡Oye!, which translates to both “hey” and “listen” in Spanish, reflects the group’s roots in Spanish-language poetry and its commitment to inclusivity, welcoming all poets regardless of their background.
Olutola Britto, ¡Oye!’s publicity chair, shared how his journey to spoken word began during his time in the U.S. military. With limited access to communication, he turned to letter writing, which eventually evolved into poetry. Britto recalls hosting poetry nights with fellow soldiers in Iraq as a form of self-expression. He explained, “When I found something like ¡Oye!, it was so exciting for me, because that’s what I love to do. I like to express myself, I like to write, and I like to hear other people’s thoughts.”
The structure of WORD’s meetings mirrors that of ¡Oye!, starting with members sharing personal experiences before transitioning to writing and poem-sharing, first in small groups and then with the entire club. Wondwosen appreciates the rapid creative output from her peers, stating, “It’s nice to be reminded of all of the art and the talent that can exist so quickly. It’s nice to have WORD bang out these poems in 30 minutes, and they’re gorgeous.”
Spoken word poetry allows for a dynamic exploration of rhythm and tempo that is often less pronounced in traditional page poetry. According to Singh, “When you listen to spoken word poems, they have this insane control of the rhythm and rhyme scheme that flows so naturally.” This freedom enables poets to incorporate their own slang and personal expressions, making the performances deeply resonant.
In addition to their showcases, WORD collaborates with other campus organizations for smaller events. A notable example is their joint performance with the Undergraduate Jazz Collective, which pairs poets and musicians to create a unique artistic experience. Wondwosen remarked on the historical roots of poetry slams in jazz clubs, stating, “It’s such a return to what slam poetry originated as.”
The upcoming “Bittersweet” performance will take place in the **Ezra Stiles College common room** at **19:00** on **November 16, 2023**, marking another opportunity for Yale students to engage with the rich art of spoken word poetry. Through these events, both ¡Oye! and WORD continue to cultivate a space where creativity and community thrive.
