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By Kenny Chang

Daily Bruin Reporter

It is perhaps one of the most studied forms of communication, yet it is still not dominant in everyday language.

It can be an art form, a picture of time, and indicative of whoever wrote it.

It can exist on several layers and only on one layer. It is poetry.

Located throughout Los Angeles are multiple clubs, lounges, bookstores and other establishments that help to promote poetry and spoken word as a creative force, enabling people to experience and understand other individuals.

Spoken word presentations are open forums for novelists, playwrights, poets and lyricists, among others, to come and share their work.

“We’re trying to promote reality,” said Lola Terrell, administrative assistant at the Baroque Bookstore, which regularly holds poetry readings and spoken word presentations.

“It’s a different reality in a way versus the popular culture,” she continued. “It’s thinking, looking at things in different ways, and seeing how others experience life and view life.”

Many view poetry as a mechanism to express oneself, to provide a glimpse inside the inner workings of one’s mind and soul.

“I think poetry is a decent outlet,” said Todd Cole, sales representative at Midnight Special Bookstore and Cultural Center, a venue with poetry workshops and open poetry meetings. “People enjoy poetry in a public environment. Poets love to be heard, and love to be heard by other poets. And if for anything, just for the ability to get their voice out there and to critique and hear some of their so called competition.”

Cheryl Keyes, UCLA professor of the cultural history of rap class this quarter, also celebrates the beauty and power of poetry as it influences rap and new writers looking for a voice.

“The 1960s represents what we call the new black aesthetic ... in which there were new writers in search of a voice, looking for something natural to black artists,” Keyes said.

“What was traditionally considered poetry then did not necessarily have to rhyme,” she added. “It had to be functional, make sense, and appeal to the black masses and their causes.”

As a talented songwriter, Keyes writes her lines by focusing on words and phrases that are realistic, situational, and able to touch people’s lives.

Poetry is an art form that gives artists voices, that can appeal to masses, stirring social change, and help listeners get a new perspective on life.

“I hope (reciting poetry) is a type of gateway to other public showings of art and creates a larger venue for artists to be heard,” Cole said. “If you’re an artist, optimally you’d have a voice, and (venues like us) can give these artists that voice.”