Middle School Poetry LIVE!

I have a small folio of poetry I wrote while I was in middle school. Each piece is dated, carefully written in all lowercase, and signed. It's standard middle school fare, angsty and overwrought. Every once in a while I get it out to smile at my past self.

There is a variety show at the Far Flung Forest retreat each year. It is very specifically not a talent show, so I decided to bring selections from that folio there to present. I wanted to make it more interesting than a dramatic reading, so I decided to include volunteers from the audience.

I put up a casting call on arrival at the retreat. One of the things I love most about the Far Flung Forest is how game everyone is to play and be silly together. My sign up sheet was quickly filled.

For the performance itself, I called up the actors and instructed them to act out the text of the poems (which they had never heard) as I read them aloud. I used my best dramatic voice, and joined the audience in laughter as they acted out killing, running away from, and generally despising each other. I was laughing so hard by Act III that I peed myself, just a little, as a friend writhed on the ground in mock pain.

It was affirming to have folks appreciate and enjoy my middle school angst so thoroughly.