Deeply Valued Passions: “The Spoken Word Poet”

If you’ve been following my blog, then you would know that we’ve arrived to part three of this series. If you’re just tuning in, for context I suggest checking out “Deeply Valued Passions: The King of the 1s and 2s, and Deeply Valued Passions: Pressured System”. If you’re interested in finding out about the amazing passion projects that others are creating then this is most definitely the blog post for you. Join me as I celebrate the artists, creators, and innovators out there and keep reading to learn about how you too can create something meaningful.

  “19 years old

    First time flying alone 

    Across borders 

    15 hours in the air 

    4 plane rides In a 5 day period 

    Nervous, scared, my heart booming out my chest

    Am I gonna get lost in the airport?

    Am I gonna get claustrophobic? 

    Am I gonna have a panic attack on this plane?

    The reality is, 

    I am not allowed to feel fear on a plane

    I am what will cause the fear“

                                                                        - Plane Rides by BMO

The spoken word poet and writer of the poem “Plane Rides” is a 21-year-old American University student locally from Laurel, Maryland, but originally from Kassala, Sudan. She is a spoken word writer and slam poet who is pursuing a career in public health and preventative medicine. She is part of American University’s dope Speak Fresh poetry team, a home on campus for poetry, writing, and performance. Most recently, Speak Fresh has been successful in winning the regional DMV slam competition. Courageously drawing from her personal experiences and vulnerabilities, she has won several slam poetry competitions throughout the DMV and has touched on what it means to be a modern Black Muslim Sudanese-American woman. Her success as a slam poet has provided her and her Speak Fresh team with the opportunity to compete and represent AU at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) in Philly this upcoming week. To monetarily support the Speak Fresh team, feel free to generously donate to help fund their trip at https://www.youcaring.com/sydneymclane-991041

Let us lift them all up in the light of goodness and hold them there.

This poet’s love for slam poetry began with watching others perform. It is my hope that after reading this series that these individuals provide you with the same inspiration. With the support of her friends, she finally decided to commit to sharing her stories beyond pen and paper. What began as an undeniably exhilarating experience and love for performing on stage developed into a passion project that uses poetry as a vehicle to delve into some of the most pressing political, personal, and social experiences of our time. In this way, she uses poetry not only to share about some of her past trauma and most difficult life experiences; but also as an outlet to heal. It takes a lot of courage to be your most vulnerable self in front of an audience and be willing to heal yourself in the process. Why not use something that you love and are skilled at to heal you and make you become an even better version of yourself? We all have burdens to carry, so if you are able to find a passion project that makes carrying those burdens much lighter — then allow it to do just that for you. 

In this craft, she has connected and networked with a myriad of other poets and poetry lovers, and I’m sure you understand the benefit of expanding your social circle. These connections could open doors and build bridges for you. Having a passion project is one thing, but be sure to connect with other people who are just as passionate and talented at your craft. Network and connect with these individuals just for the sake of it, aside from what you believe they may be able to bring you to the table. Who is the talented spoken word poet? To support and find out when Bayadir Mohamed-Osman will be performing at a next open mic night near you, feel free to follow her on Instagram @yourbaya and her Speak Fresh team’s Instagram @speakfresh. 

There are a number of reasons why I write. I don’t write because I have all the answers. I write so that I have to sit and take time to reflect. From those reflections, I share what both others and I have learned and sometimes what has been most difficult for me. I also share to stimulate dialogue, because I have seen the value of what dialogue can do and where it can take us. But, I know that this platform has not yet manifested into all that it can be for me. I’m sure we all have hopes and intentions for our passion projects. After all, these projects are our life’s work. But I’d like to encourage you to allow it to be all that it can be for you and expect more. Allow it to take you to places that you didn’t plan for it to take you to. When your passion project has gotten you to where you desire to be, share with others -- so that it can do the same for someone else. 

Many thanks to Leayrohn, Malik, and Bayadir for sharing about your deeply-valued passions; and I cannot wait to see where your art forms take each of you!