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St. Cloud State University
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Spoken word poet brings passion, rhythm to Atwood
By Regina Eckes
Published:
Thursday, February 6, 2003
Media Credit: Blair Schlichte
Christopher Longoria from San Francisco performed his poetry for students Monday night in the Atwood Quarry.
When Christopher Longoria took the stage Monday night to perform, there was only a stool with a water bottle on top, a music stand and a microphone. But within five seconds he transformed the plain stage into a museum of his soul. Longoria wore his heart on his sleeve along with his pants, arms, eyes and any other part of his body he could use to communicate with to the audience.
This very loose rapping talking poet was a highlight for the people that got to see him. Longoria's style of spoken word poetry fascinated the students by constantly changing his rhythms, beats and using sounds to emulate what he was trying to get across. Even those wandering through the Quarry on their way to Pizza Hut had to stop and listen then snap themselves out of his trance if they wanted to continue on.
Longoria's 45 minute show contained a variety of pieces, from ones he had been working on over a period of time to a simple journal entry. They also varied in length from 10 seconds to several minutes and the subject matter was a mixture of his background as well as current events. Longoria supplied a blend of his actual performing with relating to the audience and letting nothing go unsaid.
"Man, I got this nasal drip thing, must be the weather, man," Longoria said after taking a swig of water.
He also used whatever language he preferred, whether or not it was "appropriate." He ranged from four letter words to apologies for his language. "I'm cussing my a- off, I'm sorry," Longoria said.
Of course, in this collegiate atmosphere nobody minded his ability to act as just another student, a student with an incredible talent, but one of us nonetheless.
Longoria enjoys bringing his poetry to schools and universities more than professional venues sometimes. He does not always want to "spit," as he sometimes calls his performance, for just another professor or other poets. On campuses it is not a competition but a way to release everything he wants to say with the utmost freedom.
Some students of poetry believe that readings should be kept to the educated or upperclass. This is an opinion that Longoria strongly rejects.
"Separating poets from the people is separating yourself from the foundation from where it came," he said. After Longoria's performance, attendees got a chance to ask him questions about anything they desired. This 24-year-old poet has an extreme sense of knowledge when it comes to the history of poetry. Of course spoken word is his true forte, but he respects and is still influenced by other writers such as Keats, Guiness and Emerson. When asking him about poetic roots, one feels there is not a question that can go unanswered.
Unlike musicians today who come off as being righteous and honest, such as Pink always complaining about how "misunderstood" she is, Longoria has a quality about him that speaks the truth, the actual thoughts he has that are inspired by his heart.
Whether this characteristic resides in his eyes, voice or even his water bottle, one cannot say. But he knows what he is talking about and tries his best to "reach people's hearts before their minds."
"He really captured your attention and was very unique," said sophomore Jacki Pillatzki. Ben Pederson, a PSU attendee, agreed that Longoria was certainly different in his style. "Spoken word shines through his image and how he speaks. I felt he was very true."
What Longoria wishes to convey to his audience is that he is speaking not from his heart, but from his soul. He is telling the truth about how he feels and he has original emotions and poetry to share.
"If you have an original lifestyle, you're going to have original poems," said Longoria when asked about how hard it is to come up with new and inventive ways to express himself. Due to his life, passion and love for sharing his poetry with the world, Christopher Longoria showed he was anything but ordinary.
