IWPS Day TWO (Click for scores)

RESULT SUMMARY of Thursday's IWPS National COMPETITION

Iyeoka is ranked #1 after last nights competition out of 72 poets.

A part of me is speechless about how things sorted out...

But in a nutshell... I was so fortunate to be among an amazing line up of poets empowered to perform their hearts out.
It was an incredible evening for me to experience.

Google these names, and you will know exactly what I'm talking about...
Christa Bell, Buddy Wakefield, Da Minista, Rives, Q, Versiz, Rachel Finley, Ali Langston, Darling Nikki, Evelyn GV, Mat Rucker.

Thanks to the power line up, many poets that I respect came out for the bout and the crowd was hyped, I couldn't resist the urge to share the main poem I came out here to share, In the Blink of an Eye.

I figured, when would I be presented with another guaranteed opportunity to share this poem with this particular group of people again...
And since now, I live daily with the overwhelming reality that tomorrow is not promised,
I pulled it out and told my story about survival in the 4 min. round as the first poet up.

That poem took me to the top of the ranking of poets in this competition.

Not sure if I can top that moment tonight...
But part of what all of this is about for me, is recognizing the opportunity to create new ones.

And again, as last night, I am in a round with another group of outstanding poets.

We all know that there are NO GUARANTEES IN SLAM.

So my primary objective will be to once more enjoy the gifts and the moments and the art and the passion and the bonding and the winning and the loosing...

I can go on forever.
But won't.
Will update you later.

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo
Charlotte NC