Photo by Sean Richardson.

There were two poets in my bed, another on my couch.

That night was a blur of running back and forth between two venues.  I headed to the eBar around 5pM to set up chairs and get everything ready for the Guelph Poetry Slam.  Then Macer and I went to perform and host the MojoDay celebration held at the Guelph Googenheim.

I love the Goog.  I feel it was there where I starting maturing into who I am today.  I learned so many life lessons during my time there.  It was a pleasure to be in that space again.  I can’t wait to visit again.

Right after that, it was back to Guelph Poetry Slam to see Alessandra Naccarato do her thing.  What a lovely voice!  If you haven’t heard her work out, please check out one of my favorites of hers.  I had already missed the first round, but I managed to see Fannon secure his first win at the Guelph Poetry Slam. Congratulations!

That morning after, Alessandra and I ran around downtown in search of food and Seigfried for a radio interview. I had a chance to sit in and listen to her interview. I managed to catch a little bit of it on video, check it out here:

Isn’t she wonderful?

Next time, I’ll give you a bit of an update on how my manuscript is coming.

Question: What did you think of the last poetry slam?

Matthew Dryden

Photo by Michelle Darby-Wyatt.

I’ve been performing my poetry for just over two years now.

The idea of performing my poetry started with this video.  Eight months later, I found out about the idea of a poetry slam.  Once I got the idea in my head that people actually competed with their poetry, I was onboard.

Right around that time, Beth Anne Fischer started up Semantix, Guelph’s first poetry slam.  I completed in the very first slam and soon became a part of the team. From then on, I have been very involved with spoken word and performance poetry in Guelph.  As the poetry slam grew, I also grew as a poet.  I put out a chapbook, then another, then an album.

I learned the importance of authenticity

From the humble beginnings of the poetry slam to where we are now, I have grown by leaps and bounds.  I have become more responsible.  I learned the value is making meaningful connections with the people around me.

There is still a lot I have to learn, but I am happy with how far I’ve come since I first stepped to the microphone. I can’t wait to see where I’m at after another two years.

Question: How has spoken word poetry forced you to grow as a person?

Matthew Dryden

Well, this is it.  My new site design.  It’s been a long time coming.  I’m very happy with how it all worked out.  The idea for it all came from taking a lot of what kind of person I am and have been.  I am nothing if not a product of everything that has happened to me in the last 3-4 years.

Take a look around, I hope you like it.

Matthew Dryden