5 Slam Poems That Haven't Gone Viral, But Should

2013 has been the year of viral slam poetry. At Power Poetry we're thrilled that young poets are having their voices heard--especially since folks like Paul Krugman seem to think that poetry is dead (wut?). But we did notice that none of the 2013's viral poems were written or performed by women of color. And that's something we want to change with these seriously kicka** poems.

1. People Like Us, Emi Mahmoud

Emi Mahmoud performing "People Like Us" during prelims at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI). She is a student at Yale who came and blew minds and hearts out of everyone's bodies (if you're a poet, you get it). We can't wait to see her again this year in Boulder, Colorado for CUPSI 2014.

2. A U.S. Birth Certificate Speaks to an Immigrant Family, Aziza Barnes

Aziza Barnes is a poet living in New York. Her first book, me Aunt Jemima and the nailgun, was published July 2013 by Button Poetry Press. Her work is in Muzzle Magazine and the West 10th Literary Journal. She will be attending Callaloo’s inaugural UK writer’s workshop at the University of Goldsmiths in London in November 2013. She writes for members of the Diaspora to promote transformative empathy and for her ancestors, both known and unknown. Aziza is a poetry editor at Kinfolks Quarterly. You can also follow her on Twitter: @AzizaBarnes.

3. Prayers for the Daughter of an Ex-Rapist, Katherine George & Arielle John

Katherine George (singer) and Arielle John represented CUNY Brooklyn at CUPSI 2013. Arielle John is a senior at Brooklyn College and Katherine George will be competing at the Brooklyn College Grand Slam for a spot on this year's team. Both women represent the courage and beauty of two mediums coming together. We <3 them.

4. Bring Back the Dead, Safia Elhillo

Safia Elhillo was also at CUPSI 2013, held at Barnard College, on the behalf of NYU. She is Sudanese by way of Washington, D.C., by way of NYC, and is currently an MFA candidate in poetry at The New School. Safia recently released book of poems, The Life and Times of Susie Knuckles, published by Well & Often Press. She is a poetry editor at Kinfolks Quarterly. You can follow her on twitter: @mafiasafia.

5. Mother, Mary Anne Rojas

Mary Anne Rojas is a Afro-Caribbean poet, essayist, daughter, and activist from the Bronx. You can find her work in Rattle Magazine, Up the Staircase Review, and VerseWrights. She is a recent graduate from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in English and Africana and Latino Studies. This was the largest crowd she ever performed for and hopes her entire family watches. Mary Anne was part of the SUNY Oneonta Poetry Slam Team for four years and now roams the streets of NYC when she's not writing awesome content for Power Poetry. If you see her, say hi!