Students had an opportunity to share their poetry at the Poetry Lounge Slam on October 7, 2011. | Tyler Otte/THE CHIMES

Freshman Esmeralda Barcena has a clear and clean-cut style of storytelling. Using spoken word as her medium, she displayed her unique talent this past Friday at Biola’s 11th annual Poetry Lounge, sponsored by Associated Students and multicultural relations.

Poetry inspired by Barcena’s experiences, testimony

Barcena fell into spoken word by using writing as therapy in high school. She got involved with her high school’s poetry club where she was able to develop her own unique and poised style of spoken word. Her spoken word for the night seemed to be inspired by her past experiences, including issues of self-esteem, the highs and lows of friendship, finding value in yourself and not in others and rising above low expectations. Her last poem about rising above expectations was highly influenced by her own personal testimony, making it more riveting, and undoubtedly one of the best poems of the evening.

“I just thank God,” Barcena said. “It is all about God because at first I was nervous, but then I decided that whatever I say is going to impact someone.”

Barcena moved her way to the top and won this year’s 11th annual Poetry Lounge.

Poetry Lounge event meant to cultivate inspiration

This year’s event was subtitled “The Slam Edition: Speak Up and Speak Out.” Nancy Davong, the multicultural relations chair for Associated Students said her vision while planning this event was cultivating inspiration.

“This event is put on to encourage students to echo the campaign of the AS president and vice president, John Drebinger and Janine Marderian, which was to speak up and speak out,” Davong said.

Davong said this year’s slam-style Poetry Lounge was a great way for campus to nurture the art of storytelling, and Poetry Lounge allows for students to not only tell their own stories but to inspire others.

First year as a competition

“This was the first time that Poetry Lounge was a competition,” Davong said. “It wasn’t really competitive in nature, but it was a way for Biola to come together as a community and reach others by sharing the mic.”

Simply Cat was the emcee for the evening. With her soul-laden mothering voice, she led the audience in the process of encouraging the poets and having a great time. She continually reminded the audience of the fact that it was not about the competition.

“The points aren’t the point, the poet is the point,” Simply Cat said.

Adam Lacanilao came in second, shocking some with his first poem in which he discussed a slightly provocative and comical love story. Lacanilao‘s poem took place in Arkansas, used phrases like “a bear on a balloon” and suggested buying a duck as a pet. Furthermore, as the rounds progressed Lacanilao’s poems took a more serious tone. Beginning his poem in the second round with singing seemed to surprise some of the audience, but it also prepared them for the heaviness of the coming verses of poetry. In the last round, Lacanilao’s “Paradise Lost” and Sodom and Gomorrah references were beautifully interwoven.

Cameron Gardiner came in third, impressing many with his quick rhythmical voice, somewhat echoing the sounds of rap music. Intertwining lots of historical and recent cultural references such as “Pilgrim’s Progress,” “Twilight” and Haley Williams, the audience was gripped within the first poem as they were serenaded by the rap-like sounds of Gardiner. Gardiner’s theme for the night was poverty, seeing as his second poem was about Skid Row. Gardiner ended the night suggesting everyone raise their glasses as he began to describe a gaudy woman who embodied the secular-stricken musical form of hip-hop.

All of the performers were current Biola students, and spoke with talent, poise and passion.

“I’m grateful and humble, all poets were great and I’m blessed to be a part of this community,” Adam Lacanilao said.