Eloquence, imagery, and lyricism… oh my!
We already knew our beloved YouTube was a beacon for creativity, but did you know that includes some of the most captivating modern poetry as well (granted, we might be a little biased)? From poems with imaginative stories to those of sharp social analysis, some of our favourite creators have quickly become some of our favourite poets!
These are perfect for a rainy day (or as a rainy day soundtrack), paired with a cup of tea and a cuddly blanket. So warm up the kettle and get cosy.
Here they are: Five of the Best: Poetry Videos!
Little White House (asmr poem) – doddleoddle
Whether or not ASMR is your jam, we can’t deny how much we love the entire atmosphere of Dodie Clark‘s video. Dodie’s quiet voice, paired with some soft fairy lights, creates imagery for this poem that becomes wonderfully visceral.
We’re pretty sure we can smell the fresh paint, the crisp notebook paper and the lilac flowers sitting on the windowsill. And that kettle that’s boiling? Well, it’s perfect timing, as we’ll be ready for another cup of tea by the end of this list!
The simplicity of this poem works flawlessly, as it gives each of us the room to create our own mental image of the perfect little white house. Actually, watching the rest of the poems from said house would be a dream come true! Plus, there are dotted mugs and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a dotted mug?
We’re ready for another cup of tea whenever you are, Dodie!
YouTube Is Dead | A Slam Poem – justkissmyfrog
This poem from Leena Normington was posted in response to the latest conversation about creativity on YouTube. Not only does the tempo of Leena’s voice emphasise the gravitas of what she is saying, but by allowing each word to linger on screen, she’s made the poem’s intention much more potent.
We also love this piece for offering another creative argument to the conversation about original content. Leena is direct and her use of familiar symbols – like the infamous “green room” – comprise a work about YouTube culture that is undeniably provocative.
Most importantly, this poem reminds us there is always new, creative, and high-quality content being made, and we don’t want to miss out on any of it!
Instagram Insecurities – A poem type thing – thisbedottie
Oh my, where has the time gone? We’re well into our list and halfway through our cup of tea, which means it’s certainly time for a captivating piece by the one and only Dottie James. Discussing Instagram insecurities, Dottie’s sustained, almost uncomfortably direct, eye contact forces us to confront the idea of constructed beauty on the app.
The conversational tone of this video sets it apart as a unique piece within our list. As opposed to building a world for us or speaking for a collective, Dottie simply reflects on the contrived beauty that now defines Instagram as a platform.
And it’s Dottie’s tone specifically that we love most about this poem! For a piece addressing a topic as important as body image – and knowing when body image is manipulated – the accessibility of the message is paramount. Having such sensitivity to this subject, especially knowing that many young girls will be watching, gives this poem power to have a great impact.
It’s soft, it’s thoughtful, and it gave us chills! We’re glad our tea’s still hot.
Sea Legs | A Poem – candysomething
Congrats on making it this far! Are you feeling your creative juices flowing yet?
We bring you Candice O’Reilly‘s nautical piece from her recently-released poetry collection, Sea Legs and Other Stories. Reciting the poem from behind a pair of ethereal curtains, Candice paints for us a beautifully complex, metaphorical maritime image. We love the way this poem utilises the sea and the sky to make tangible the implications of perspective.
There’s a lot to unpack in this piece. We’ve watched the video dozens of times and forgotten all about those last drops of tea waiting to be finished, and we are still finding enthralling new bits and pieces with every verse! We’d be inclined to that bird’s eye view, too.
Hi, I’m a Slut – A Slam Poem – Savannah Brown
By now, Savannah Brown is officially one of YouTube’s poetry legends, right? This piece is raw and unfalteringly powerful. What we love about this poem is that Savannah does not shroud her point in flowery language; we are forced to confront the dark, uncomfortable aspects of our relationship with sexuality. How do women feel about sexuality? How have our concepts of masculinity and femininity affect that perception?
Plus, Savannah is a master at expressing both strength and vulnerability in the cadence of her voice. She refuses that women be pitied for the experiences she shares, but she insists we comprehend how damaging they are.
We are meant to feel revolted, to feel proud, to feel ashamed, to feel empowered. For one piece to do all that in under five minutes is stunning!
So there you have it…
Five of the Best: Poetry Videos. We hope these videos inspired you and allowed your creative juices to flow! Now that you’ve poured that second cup of tea, go grab a piece of paper and get writing, and if you’re feeling up to it, go record a video. Share your creativity with the world!
Want more Five of the Best? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered:
- Five of the Best: Women About Women
- Five of the Best: YouTube Culture Videos
- Five of the Best: YouTubers Telling It Like It Is
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