After delivering three caustic poems en route to the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí Grand Slam title, Michael Christenson was all smiles.<\/p>\n
The night and the poetry slam season’s top poet said he was happy to win and to have heard a lot of great poems in the yearly Tournament of Champions-esque contest held Saturday night at the University of Alaska Southeast REC Center.<\/p>\n
“It was pretty exciting,” Christenson said. “I know what I sound like, it’s really great listening to everyone else.”<\/p>\n
Christenson read his word-dense poems from a pamphlet adorned with an anti-Trump No. 45 styled to look like a swastika and crossed out.<\/p>\n
“How late the weasel of regret hibernates this year,” was one memorable line.<\/p>\n
Some poets switched up their style and tone, but Christenson jack-hammered his way through manic works that sounded like a brain incensed and inflamed.<\/p>\n
“I’m me,” Christenson said.<\/p>\n
Morgan Blackgoat, who placed second in the grand slam, took a more scatter shot approach on her way to the final round.<\/p>\n
Blackgoat’s poems dealt with ailing loved ones, feminine strength and a missed opportunity for intervention when someone was being mocked.<\/p>\n
However, she could get angry, too.<\/p>\n
Both Blackgoat’s and Christenson’s final poems wouldn’t pass George Carlin’s seven-word litmus test.<\/p>\n
The night’s other competitors, Jasz Garrett, Melissa Bowhay and Kristin Price, all also received high scores from the contest’s judges, but some poets could not advance past the second round.<\/p>\n
Each brought their own voices and perspectives to the proceedings. Price favored knotty, internal rhymes; Bowhay shared seemingly personal challenges in life and love; and Garrett delivered her emotional stanzas without the assistance of notes.<\/p>\n
Audrey Kohler, Alayna Duncan, Kylynn Machir and Miriam Wagoner also performed. Kohler served as the host of the event alongside Bill Merk.<\/p>\n
Everyone received applause or snaps when appropriate.<\/p>\n
“There was a lot of good poetry out there,” Christenson said.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at 523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @capweekly.<\/b><\/p>\n
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