I learned a lot this week at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Mostly i re-learned how the relationships i have built over the years of being part of this community have developed and deepened.

My friend Sean Mcgarragle said “you realize that most of us have grey hair now.” It is a funny observation that in the world of spoken word and urban arts in general, that if you are over thirty you present, in fact, as an elder. Lest we all get competitive about how many grey hairs we have, It really hit home this week just how much I have grown alongside these brilliant friends, as a person, creator, and champion of the spoken word and oral tradition.
I felt the love deeply all week and am deeply honoured to be honoured by so many peers. This was the most fun CFSW I have attended. The best poetry, the most diversity in style, the greatest interest in FUN and the fewest egos.

In a workshop one day a couple of years ago , Zaccheus Jackson-Nyce said to a group of teenagers that if they can learn to communicate artistic ideas, they will then be able to practice clear communication in the rest of their lives too. – That being able to get your thoughts or feelings across effectively is possibly one of the most important skills to acquire in life.  I agree.

This festival showed that not only can we communicate from the stage, but we are also learning how to communicate face to face in the most progressive and open ways. Pretty good for a bunch of word nerds. Pretty amazing when there was so much to talk about. I am honoured to call you family, and have been amazed this week to watch you all work through disputes and hard conversations with so much grace.

I just want you all to know that i will do anything for any of you in a heartbeat. Also, i would show you my Bieber, AND cater your boat party if you’d just ask.
So much love cfsw12.

Thank you.
M