Townsville Poetry Slam heat winners

When Jonathan Keim walks down the street, he often puts his earphones in. He's not listening to music; it's just so he can rap while he walks along without people giving him a strange look.

Jonathan Keim, also known as J. Smiles, has won the Townsville heat in the Australian Poetry Slam competition.

Jonathan charmed the Townsville audience with his rap, "Monday Morning", which explores his Monday morning experience of waking up from some crazy dreams.

Originally from Colorado, USA, Jonathan is now studying Creative Arts at James Cook University in Townsville. He plans to stay in Australia for a year and then wants to continue travelling. Jonathan says he's been making up rhymes since fifth grade, but didn't actually start writing them down until about three years ago when he moved from Colorado to San Diego.

Jonathan tied for a place in the State Finals with local school teacher David O'Regan at the Townsville Heats. The will both go to Brisbane to compete for a spot in the National Poetry Slam final at the Queensland State Library on October 25, 2008.

Jonathan says he's expecting to meet lots of poets from all around Australia, and is looking forward to the opportunity of sharing his rhymes, and hearing others.

"[It's] what I've always dreamed of doing; to go around the world and sing my poetry," he says.

By day Poetry Slam heat winner David O'Regan is a high school ancient history teacher, but in his home time he likes to dabble in satirical poetry on topics like sprinklers, pole vault and students with double-barrelled surnames.

David won the Townsville heat of the Australian Poetry Slam in a draw with fellow contestant Jonathan Keim on September 3, 2008.

David has been a teacher for about 30 years, but only started writing poetry about eight years ago after a neighbour suggested it. He won the Townsville audience and judges over with his satirical gardening poem, Garden Sprinklers.

David wrote the poem while sitting in his garden one day. He noticed each of his neighbours had a different kind of sprinkler, and the idea grew from there.

On the night of the heats, competition was strong and diverse in age, style and subjects.

Heat winners David and Jonathan will now advance to the State Finals in Brisbane on October 25, 2008 at the Queensland State Library.

David says he has no idea what to expect in Brisbane, so he won't choose which poem to perform until he's had a chance to check out the audience.

But he says no matter which one he chooses, the adrenalin will be pumping!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• entertainment
• news
• performing
• arts
• short
• film
• poetry
• slam
• spoken
• word
• abc
• local
• community
• competition
• talent
• peoples
• choice
• video

[pick8lock]

this guys ok but not dope enough for comp

[liseylicious]

struttyyy haha he was my teacher too! :)

[struttyy]

He was my teacher too. One of the greatest.

[SuperBluehaze]

great stuff, mate.

[skateroftheville]

the second guy is my teacher