Reflection Essay

Emma Stappenbeck

Mrs. Elswick

Creative Writing Reflection

November 13, 2012

“I have an acquired taste for language, yet it is seldom an actual focus of mine”- Saul Williams. Words are some of the most powerful forces that can be used. Through the power of words, countries have been liberated, people freed, law changed, the world would have not developed into such a beautiful place had it not been for the power that each word specifically has. Saul Williams, the great Slam poet, director, and star of the film, “SLAM”, displayed the power of words throughout his film. Through his struggle with the justice system, society and within himself, he found that words were the resolution. For myself, words have always been a way to express how I feel without having to say any of them.

            The film, “SLAM”, written, directed and starring Saul Williams, is about the main character Raymond Joshua who through the power of words finds himself with a new perspective of the world. Ray is from the inner city near DC and like many other men from his area, a struggling Black man just trying to get by. Ray turns to selling dope, and is caught with marijuana during a shooting of his close friend. Ray is convicted and put into jail. In order for Ray to survive within the walls of prison, he writes his Slam poetry. He writes about the issues he is facing within the jail and out in society. As opposed to joining the two lead gangs in the prison, he turns to words and a creative writing class. Also, when a fight breaks out between the two groups, Ray is able to settle both sides down by slamming a poem about the common problems both sides are facing. After being released, Ray is faced with the choice of either running, snitching, or going to trial and facing two to three years in prison upon conviction.  His friend Lauren, a writer from the deep city, as well as his creative writing teacher, teaches him that through his words, he can free himself, get through anything, and face the punishment he has inflicted upon himself. In the conclusion of the movie, the scene depicts Joshua in front of the gates of the Capital Building grasping the gates that guard the entrance; this symbolizes Ray embracing his punishment. The power of words help Ray get through rough times, get him to learn about how much power he has, and teaches him that the cycle of violence and injustice that occurs around him can be stopped, through the power of words.

            Throughout the semester, thus far, in creative writing I have learned so much about writing and words. I have learned overall that choosing the right words, not making sense and structure all can make or break poetic pieces. I first started out using rhyme schemes and easy words, like any run of the mill “poet”. The more my writing assignments increased the more my diction has improved. Also, I always thought that all poetry must make sense when you write it. However some of my best writing has included metaphors that have no specific meaning, they either sound good or the words just work together. It is amazing the options that words can give you. The power that the words give me, are limitless. All my emotions can just pour onto the page, and unlike any other assignments, I thoroughly enjoy writing my poems and do not need to follow any thought pattern. For example, my first few poems had rhyme scheme and specific ideas, but by my last few opens, such as the observatory poem, have organization but no strict thoughts, my creativity has gotten more adventurous. Lastly, structurally my poems have advanced by also growing more creatively. When I want to add emphasis, such as my emotion poem, I can isolate different words. My poems look much cleaner now than it did in the beginning of the year. Structurally making a poem look good can make them much more appealing and stronger.

            In conclusion, the power of words is a unique power. Unlike any other power, words give you something you can feel, see and hear. They open up the doors for you to use creativity and create images unlike anything else. Saul Williams’ character Raymond Joshua used words for self discovery, something that I feel all of the students in my creative writing class are doing. I personally use this to empower me to try new things and explore new emotions within each of my poems. I feel as though my writing now is not successful without that gut feeling after, knowing that something provoking, to at least me, has been written on the page. As a creative writing student I believe that, that feeling I am putting into each of my works, expresses the true power of words.