_________________________________________
     /      -Winter Solstice Poetry Slam-      \
     |           -December 12, 1998-           |
     |  Recorded & Edited by Aubrey McMichaels |
     \___http://pages.prodigy.net/aubreymcm/___/


Siri Macallan exclaims, "Welcome to the Third Winter Solstice Poetry Slam!"
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "The rules are as follows."
Siri Macallan says, "All work MUST be original.  So you have to have written
 it yourself."
Siri Macallan says, "Or if you are presenting it for someone else, you have
 to give them credit for it."
Siri Macallan says, "Judges, please REPORT to me after each piece, and rank
 them from 1-20."
Siri Macallan exclaims, "Let the Slam begin!"
Siri Macallan grins.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Ed, you're first."
Siri Macallan grins.
Edward Straker smiles at Ananya Karinovna.
Ananya Karinovna smiles at Edward Straker.
Edward Straker turns to face his wife and the crowd.
Edward Straker recites:

    "My poem is called 'The Solstice Gift'"

Edward Straker recites:

    "I had believed that life did not consist of miracles
     And sunlight to me seemed dim
     Everyday living was not lyrical
     Life was simply grim."

Edward Straker recites:

    "I hid emptiness behind walls carefully chosen
     All grief locked away
     All emotion in me frozen
     Just existing day to day."

Edward Straker recites:

    "Then something sacred guided me
     Like a bird my spirit flew
     Long forgotten flower inside of me
     Bloomed again when I met you."

Edward Straker recites:

    "All at once something deep inside of me
     As cold as Solstice frost
     Became as a blazing star so bright to me
     And brought back what I'd lost."

Edward Straker recites:

    "We have those who would wish ill to you and me
     Because of bitterness concealed
     But when I hold you tenderly
     Love is our protective shield."

Edward Straker recites:

    "So now to honour Christmas tradition
     I could give any gift to you
     But knowing you I have the suspicion
     That mere packages won't do."

Edward Straker recites:

    "So, my precious I offer a special luxury
     And every word is from my heart
     You will always be loved endlessly
     For from you I won't part."

Edward Straker recites:

    "So you see, the gift I bring you
     Is one extremely rare
     It is a vow of love so true
     A love that we both share."

Edward Straker recites:

    "So my gift is verse spoken
     My Solstice gift of tenderness renewed
      words in Russian as simple token
       Ya tebya lyublyu, Ananya means I love you."

Edward Straker bows to the audience, and smiles, and looks lovingly at his
 Ananya. His poem is finished.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "The next poet is Jennifer Plumley."
Jennifer Plumley stands back up.
Jennifer Plumley says, "This was written in August of 1997, and I'm afraid
 there is no title..."
Jennifer Plumley clears her throat.
Jennifer Plumley recites:

    "Empty inside,
     No place to hide.
     Running from the world
     While it's knocking at the door.
     The pain is here,
     The pain is gone."

Jennifer Plumley recites:

    "The numbnewss inside
     Ready to explode.
     Lashing out,
     Trying to make do
     With what other people think--
     What other people feel."

Jennifer Plumley recites:

    "Can't slow down,
     Can't speed up.
     Stuck in one place,
     Stuck on one feeling.
     Wishing it would go away...
     Will it ever go away?"

Jennifer Plumley recites:

    "Anger, pain, hurting deep.
     Close your eyes, catch your breath-
     Don't give in
     Until the end.
      
     There is no end."

Jennifer Plumley bows.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Will Carpenter is up next."
Will Carpenter gets a leather-bound journal from inside his gym bag.
Will Carpenter smiles.
Will Carpenter says, "This was written last night, and there is no title."
Will Carpenter clears his throat loudly.
Will Carpenter recites:

    "As we stared, arm in arm, at the blaze ahead
     A sudden chill poured over the night.
     Stilling our hearts, feeling ourselves yearn for the heat of the fire
     We moved closer, pressing together, fighting for warmth
     Not knowing that what grew in us was not desire for heat.
     Not caring that we risked the sanctuary of lonliness.
     Not realizing that the burden we would pay could last a lifetime."

Will Carpenter recites:

    "We stared into the fire, embers crackling and popping,
     But at the same time stared into each others souls.
     Seeing, believing, and trusting the other to be gentle
     With what we saw within our idiosyncracies and differences.
     The fire grew, along with it bringing a subtle happiness.
     And as we watched with distracted eyes, sneaking sideways glances,
     Your hand snuck into mine, my hand closed around your cold fingers.
     And with that touch, that blissful tingling touch,
     You became mine forever."

Will Carpenter takes Joy Nalewi's hand into his, kneeling down beside her. 
 He glances into her eyes, and gives her a soft kiss.
Will Carpenter asks, "Joy, for now and forever, I love you with all my
 heart.  Will you marry me?"
Joy Nalewi gasps.  She looks rather startled.
Edward Straker gets an impish expression on his face and lets out a hearty
 cheer.
Farrah's jaw drops.
Eden Santana blinks.
Amanda Carter blinks.
Jess Whiterose says, "wow"
Joy Nalewi's face went chalk white.
Jennifer Plumley blinks.
Edward Straker gets an impish expression on his face and lets out a hearty
 cheer.
Farrah Romero says, "wow"
Laurence Howarth blinks.
Siri Macallan says, "Wow."
Sabrina McCloud blinks.
Jess Whiterose grins at Will Carpenter.
Bryan Hit gets an impish expression on his face and lets out a hearty cheer.
Edward Straker exclaims, "yahoo!"
Jake Chatterley lets out a hearty cheer for Will Carpenter.
Laurence Howarth says, "goodness"
Felipe Jean-Desonau applauds.
Laurence Howarth smiles.
Farrah Romero lets out a hearty cheer for Will Carpenter.
Amber Diehl gets an impish expression on her face and lets out a hearty
 cheer.
Joy Nalewi 's eyes fill with tears of happiness.
Jake Chatterley snuggles up to Eden Santana.
Jennifer Plumley says, "Say yes!"
Joy Nalewi says, "Will, you know I'd love nothing more than to marry you."
Jess Whiterose grins at Joy Nalewi.
Joy Nalewi says, "I love you."
Will Carpenter smiles.
Will Carpenter says, "I love you too."
Joy Nalewi just kissed Will on the lips.
Will Carpenter just kissed Joy on the lips.
Joy Nalewi cuddles up to Will Carpenter.
Amanda Carter says, "What a beautiful moment"
Will Carpenter sits down.
Joy Nalewi lets out a deep sigh of contentment that seems to come from the
 depth of her soul.
Will Carpenter says, "I'm done."
Will Carpenter blushes a nice shade of off-pink.
Will Carpenter grins.
Siri Macallan says, "Please judge for poetry, not proposal."
Siri Macallan grins.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Our next poet is Felipe Jean-Desonau."
Felipe Jean-Desonau says, "I don't even know how to begin to compete with
 that..."
Felipe Jean-Desonau grins.
Siri Macallan grins.
Edward Straker says, "Propose to someone."
Edward Straker grins.
Felipe Jean-Desonau says, "First I'd say, congratulations though"
Felipe Jean-Desonau grins at Will Carpenter.
Felipe Jean-Desonau says, "My poem is called Winter air... And in momento
 for this occasion I dedicate it to those two lovebirds"
Felipe Jean-Desonau chuckles.
Felipe Jean-Desonau says, "And to the first two newlyweds as well"
Felipe Jean-Desonau nods to Eden Santana.
Felipe Jean-Desonau nods to Edward, Ananya, Will and Joy.
Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Simple sleep in burning embers,
     Warm remains of cold Decembers."

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Frosted ground though lightly tread,
     To the fire logs are fed."

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Wind picks up and it starts snowing
     Through dead trees, the wind comes blowing"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Inches high, the snow mounts still
     Wind blows louder, becoming shrill"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Waiting for the storm to slow
     Then I may be free to go"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Less and less, the snow's subsiding
     Darkness remains and warmth's still hiding"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Then the hushing sound of a fleeting storm
     And I must leave, though here, I'm warm"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Glance out the window, sheets of ice
     I turn to you for a quick goodbye"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Warmth of breath and tingling touch,
     Reminds me of your love so much."

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "One more kiss you'll give to me
     And warmer through the night I'll be"

Felipe Jean-Desonau recites:

    "Take care my darling, don't despair
     Tis the effect of winter air"

Felipe Jean-Desonau chuckles.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Cecilia, you are next."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Cecilia Scully nods.
Cecilia Scully recites:

    "This is entitled, "How do you tell someone....""

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "My world is collapsing
     All the walls around me
     Are caving in
     Everything has been destroyed
     Because you left me"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "You walked out the door
     And my life was over
     My body continued to live
     But my soul was dead
     I am an empty shell without you"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "Everything that I am
     Everything that I have done
     Has been because of you
     I love you more than life itself
     But now you're gone"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "Without you
     My world stops turning
     The sun stops shining
     And I no longer want to live
     I am nothing without you"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "Then one day
     You came back
     The world started to turn
     The sun started to shine
     And I decided to live again"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "There is no world for me
     Without you
     You are my heart and soul
     You turn me from a half
     Into a whole"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "You are the embodiment
     Of everything I love in this world
     You've finally come back to me
     And I still don't know
     How to tell you what I'm feeling"

Cecilia Scully recites:

    "I've come so close
     So many times
     But I don't know what to do
     How do you tell someone
     That you love them?"

Cecilia Scully curtsies.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Our next poet is Farrah."
Farrah Romero grins.
Farrah Romero says, "Not wanting to break the romantic mood.."
Farrah Romero grins.
Farrah Romero says, "this poem is dedicated to all the single girls ou
t there"
Farrah Romero grins.
Farrah Romero recites:

    "What I Want For Christmas"

Farrah Romero grins.
Farrah Romero poem By Farrah Attia Romero.
Farrah Romero snickers.
Farrah Romero tries to get a serious look on her face.
Farrah Romero fails miserably.
Farrah Romero grins a wicked grin.
Farrah Romero recites:

    "To My Dearest Santa Claus
     Far away at the North Pole
     I'd stay up and wait for you this year
     But I have this monsterous cold."

Farrah Romero sneezes.
Farrah Romero coughs.
Farrah Romero recites:

    "Santa I don't ask for much
     And I'm fairly easy to please
     But could you send me some sweet guy
     To make me weak in the knees?"

Farrah Romero recites:

    "He doesn't have to be all rich
     Money does not matter
     I only want the sound of his voice
     To make my heart go pitter patter"

Farrah Romero recites:

    "I know my Christmas list is short
     I only wanted one thing
     Oh and santa when he comes
     Make sure he has a ring"

Farrah Romero recites:

    "See all my sisters are married
     To husbands that are very well paid
     I don't want to be the only Romero girl
     To end up as an old maid"

Farrah Romero grins.
Farrah Romero recites:

    "As I close this letter up
     I'll sleep dreaming of this
     That on Christmas morning I will wake up
     To a kiss from my Christmas wish"

Farrah Romero curtsies.
Farrah Romero giggles.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Our next poet is Reod."
Reod Hunt says, "Yello"
Reod Hunt asks, "So, can I recite Shakespeare?"
Siri Macallan says, "You can, but Shakespeare already won a long time ago."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Reod Hunt says, "yes... ok hold on then"
Reod Hunt says, "shhh"
Reod Hunt recites:

    "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
      Thou art more levely and temperate:
      Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath
 all too short a date"

Reod Hunt recites:

    "Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
      And often is his gold complexion dimm'd
      And every fair from fair sometimes declines,
      by chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd"

Reod Hunt recites:

    "But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
      Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest
      Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
      When in eternal lines to time thou growest"

Reod Hunt recites:

    "So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
      So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."

*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "Morris is our next poet, to be followed by Amanda who
 is last this year."
Morris Cothern says, "Nevermind my outfit, I had no time to get a better
 one..."
Morris Cothern says, "This poem was written by a friend of mine who shall be
 unnamed. He gave me his consent to use it."
Morris Cothern says, "This poem is titled Life and Death."
Morris Cothern clears his throat loudly.
Morris Cothern recites:

    "Because I knew not how to live, I knew not how to die.
     Death would not come, although I called,
     So sick of life,
     I'd cry "

Morris Cothern seems sad.
Morris Cothern recites:

    "I'd cry for what I had not done, and what I would not do.
     Not pain, nor love, not angst, nor fun,
     Emotions heard, but never knew.  "

Morris Cothern lowers his gaze.
Morris Cothern recites:

    "My legacy a single thought,
     I've spent my life to cope,
     Yet still this cruel curse follows me,
     This sordid curse..."

Morris Cothern sighs.
Morris Cothern recites:

    "Of hope"

*******************************************
Siri Macallan says, "And our last poet is Amanda."
Amanda Jackson smiles.
Amanda Jackson says, "Everyone, my poem is short, and nothing compared to
 the others, but never-the-less I  wote it and would like to share it"
Amanda Jackson says, "It is called Gold, titled after my favorite color"
Amanda Jackson smiles.
Amanda Jackson recites:

    "Gold is......."

Amanda Jackson recites:

    "Gold is the sunrise, filling the sky,
     Gold is the gleam in the jungle cat's eye.
     Gold is the treasure, piled in the chest,
     Gold is the pin, securing my vest."

Amanda Jackson recites:

    "Gold is the feel of a hot August day,
     Gold is the cross upon which we pray.
     Gold is the pride of the majestic eagle,
     Gold is the color that represents regal."

Amanda Jackson recites:

    "Gold is Autumn, with leaves aglow,
     Gold is sunflowers, lined in a row.
     Gold is the wild African plain,
     Gold is the hue of the great lion's mane."

Amanda Jackson recites:

    "Gold is the crown, upon the king's head,
     Gold is the feel of a warm cozy bed.
     Gold is the ring, too prized to be sold,
     Gold is the color that never grows old."

Amanda Jackson says, "Thats it"
Amanda Jackson curtsies.
*******************************************
Siri Macallan exclaims, "And a huge Thank You to our judges!"
Siri Macallan says, "The prizes will be awarded a little later, when they
 are completed..."
Siri Macallan says, "But I can announce the winners..."
Siri Macallan exclaims, "Third place this year goes to Filipe Jean-Desonau!"
Felipe Jean-Desonau says, "Merci, and it's pronounced Felipe"
Siri Macallan exclaims, "Our second place goes to Farrah Romero!"
Siri Macallan says, "And First Place for the Third Winter Solstice Slam goes
 to...."
Siri Macallan exclaims, "Will Carpenter!!"