Analogue Video by Marvin K. White. Transcribing by Descript. Podcast by NotebookLM
INT. POET'S STAGE - EVENING
[The lights are dim. Three poets stand in a line, trembling slightly. The host, an enigmatic figure in black, holds two books in her hands.]
HOST
Three poets stand before me, but I only have two books in my hands. Only two of you will move forward to compete to be America’s Next Top Poet.
[She glances from one poet to the next.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Steven, your poems are heady, elusive, but deep. Samiya, your poems are deep, heady, but elusive. Sharon, your poems are elusive, deep, but heady.
[The host paces, weighing her words carefully.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Together, you make up three halves of the perfect poem. You would think that the forces of you coming together would have the makings of the perfect anaphoric storm. But, oh, poems are rough seas and rain, and clouds, and—and—umbrellas.
[The poets exchange glances, trying to gauge each other’s reactions.]
HOST (CONT'D)
The poet whose name I do not call must immediately pack up their pens, their journals, their laptops, their thesauruses, and leave the reading.
[Pause for dramatic effect.]
HOST (CONT'D)
The first name I will call is the poet who we all thought would crumble under the pressure. But week after week, she has shown that no one can beat her—metaphorically.
[Beat.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Sharon...
[Sharon takes a breath of relief, tears brimming.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Congratulations. You’re still on your way to becoming America’s Next Top Poet.
[Sharon steps forward to accept her book.]
HOST (CONT'D)
The judges found your line breaks mesmerizing, and are interested to see if you can now recover from a break.
[Sharon nods and steps aside.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Will Samiya and Steven please step forward?
[Samiya and Steven step forward, hands clasped nervously.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Now, only two poets stand before me. The beautiful opening line and the tragic closing line. One delivers one line to the next in beautiful expectancy, while the other sends chills up the spine of the poem. But only one stands alone. Only one has captured the imagination of the judges, while the other has freed it.
[Pause.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Only one keeps the poem fresh, while the other goes stale. Only one uses the pen to open the wound, while the other one uses it as salve.
[The host holds up the second book.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Samiya... You’re still on your way to becoming America’s Next Top Poet.
[Samiya gasps, tears falling as she steps forward.]
HOST (CONT'D)
I hope that the young poet we met during auditions will tap back into that confidence that wowed us all. And in that tapping, bring forth a poem that will see her all the way to the end.
[Samiya takes the book, nodding, and steps back.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Steven...
[Steven lifts his head, smiling sadly.]
HOST (CONT'D)
I hope you take everything I taught you. I hope you take everything I taught you and run.
[Beat.]
HOST (CONT'D)
I hope you take everything I taught you and run far. I hope you take everything I taught you and run far and write fierce poems and publish fierce books. I think it is in you. I think you just have to find it.
[Steven nods, holding back tears.]
HOST (CONT'D)
Good luck to you. See you later.
[Steven turns and walks off the stage, a mix of pride and sadness in his eyes.]
FADE OUT.
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