Goosebumps ran down my arms as Laney delivered her passionate poem about the intricacies of relationships. As she expressed herself with conviction and charisma, the entire venue seemed to relate to her every descriptive word.
As she uttered the last stanza, the crowd erupted into applause. At that moment, I immediately knew that An Ode To Our Women— a live poetry showcase by poetry me, please— would be a night to remember.
The Vibe Of The Night
When I arrived at S.O.B.’s, also known as Sounds of Brazil, in New York City, I felt inquisitive about what the night was going to bring.
When arriving at the venue, I stepped into a room that was slightly dimmed (like you’d expect to see at a poetry event). On a large stage, a projected montage of photos from past poetry events highlighted the nearly 200 women who have performed on the PMP stage since 2021.
After taking a glance at the menu, I looked up and the entire room was packed.
poetry me, please (PMP) is NYC’s largest spoken-word poetry series that provides a global stage for poets to share their voices. With an average of 400 guests per show, the monthly showcase creates a safe space for poets to display their talents.
“Our mission is to connect poets with high-quality content to help them build their portfolios and expand their reach. Each poet receives professional video and photography content, social media features, and access to an exclusive creative community—all at no cost,” the founder of poetry me, please, Rashan Brown, tells BrownStyle Magazine.
I loved how PMP created a night for women to express their creativity through the power of poetry and storytelling.
Brown, a poet who goes by Rush The Mic, says that every part of the night was intentional to celebrate the power and beauty of women’s voices.
“Women’s voices have shaped the poetry me, please stage from the very beginning. We’ve always opened our shows with a Black woman, recognizing them as the foundation of our community,” the New York native explains. “Women make up 68% of our audience, reinforcing PMP as a safe and empowering space for women worldwide.”
He continues, “Honoring their contributions isn’t just important—it’s essential. Poetry is a vessel for truth and women’s stories deserve to be heard, celebrated, and preserved. This showcase amplifies their narratives, ensuring their impact resonates for generations. For me, it’s deeply personal. Raised by a single mother and many aunts, this will always be a tribute to the love, strength, and wisdom they poured into me.”
The Power Of Storytelling
It was exciting to be in the room as we celebrated the power and beauty of women’s voices. I felt inspired as each poet shared a piece of themselves on stage.
Throughout the night, several women opened up and invited the audience to explore various topics ranging from familial relationships and personal identities to the neighborhoods that contributed to their growth. The beauty was that each story was unique and allowed each woman to bring their flavor to the stage.
Angela Star utilized the assistance of a band and her voice to storytell and sing sweet, yet humorous melodies. Taylor Knighton swept the stage dressed as a goddess in gold while sharing her relatable thoughts. Kreshonna Keane had us reflecting on our journey while she discussed overcoming challenges and blooming into the woman she’s becoming.
Everyone effortlessly articulated their feelings and emotions, making it easy to absorb every thought-provoking verse. They truly shined!
What I found most fascinating was how many layers the ladies had. Each poet came from different backgrounds and had different careers, yet they all possessed a talent for storytelling and public speaking.
I was impressed by each woman’s courage. Although they all had different careers, they were all able to unlock something within themselves that gave them the confidence to display their art.
We All Possess A Talent, Explore Yours
During her live performance, poet Taylor Knighton reminded the audience that “every good and perfect gift comes from above.” In my opinion, she couldn’t have said it better.
We are all blessed with a gift, with a talent that is unique to us. That’s why it is only right to allow ourselves to truly shine by acknowledging and calling attention to our talents.
It may not be literally on a large stage, but figuratively, the world is our stage. Take your spot and show us your capabilities, show us your gift, and show us you!
To learn more about poetry me, please, visit poetrymeplease.com!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
