It's part poetry recital, part lyrical boxing match. It's called Slam Poetry, and it's been heating up coffeehouses and pubs across the country since Chicago poet Marc Smith coined the term in 1986.
Poetry slams are the focus of a growing creative community.
Poetry Meets Godzilla by Jim Dwyer Poetry meets Godzilla. Godzilla, stomping through Tokyo, sees a haiku master spinning seventeen syllables of magic. In the beginning was the word, and poetry gives it power. Haiku master takes zen bow, shoots love into the heart of Godzilla. In a nutshell, the sport is competitive poetry.