Poetry Slam

[Oceantide]

Yesterday we
Attended a late night
Poetry slam
In my “home” town

Seven competing
One left standing
He thanked us all
Bowing modestly

One told my story
Of shutting her door
To protect her daughter
When flashbacks threatened

One told their story
Of being sold
To the highest bidder
Based on bulk

My boyfriend nodded
In pained assent
Glancing my way
I snapped approval

The judges ranked high
The judges ranked low
How can one’s pain
Be counted in numbers?

My poet didn’t make it
His poet left standing
It’s all in good fun
Yet his earned cash.