Today's Feature: Drew Law

National Poetry Month Celebration

Bio:  Drew Law is a teaching artist for the American Poetry Museum and the nonprofit organization Split This Rock.  He is also a two time member of DC's National Poetry Slam team, the Beltway Slam  ('11, '12) and a member of the exclusive "Graffiti DC" poets. Drew was a 2011 NUSPA (National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Awards) nominee for “Best Performance: Male.” Drew Law has opened up for artists ranging from Slick Rick and Biz Markie to Sunni Patterson, and Andrea Gibson. He's a host of the prestigious Busboys and Poets and BBE's ground breaking Graffiti DC slam series. Drew is also the host of the TV show "Dope Wordz and Life," a show completely dedicated to spoken word and slam poetry being broadcasted on public access television in DC, Maryland and New York. He's featured all over the country including the "Green Mill," the birthplace of modern slam. Drew Law has a background in working with at risk youth. He holds a deep passion for his American and Palestinian roots. Drew approaches every performance like it’s his last.  He has a deep love for entertaining and serving his community.

Coalminer's Daughter

I Am the son of a coalminer's daughter 
You can tell by the iron ore in my lungs and my affinity for saving sparrows that have wandered a little too far from home

We were both born in a town that you've never heard of


For the first 3 years of my life all I knew was her

and David the gnome

She woke me up on time
Even though that usually meant we were late

She had love in her veins and use to cut her wrists onto my forehead
Told me redemption looked like a Johnny Cash mug shot
Promised me I would never wipe my tears, because when they drop, it reminds you that even pain

Falls away

She had a heart that pumped red blood & blue collars in the back woods where we get drunk off the sky when the moonshines the hardest cause you gotta live this ware-wolf life with a little bit of howl

Said

Son don't trace your footsteps, just paint your path free hand, because Lord knows you can't draw for shyt, and momma can't wait to see what abstract humanity you create for us

Momma

Those burdens you carried. 12 years old already addicted to the fire water. You grew up on the side of the holler that you just didn't get out of. But you found your renegade in a curly eyed man from a desert away

But when dad died

You lost your anchor, and was ship wrecked on a waterfall. Held us in your cabin until  that current beat you down so bad, you were nothing but drift wood for me and your baby daughter to float to shore with

We didn't have money but, God dammit we had love.

You beautiful Loretta Lynn love sonnet you.

And

When we buried you, I could find no gravedigger with neither the skill nor courage to bury something so beautifully flammable. So I commissioned a pic axe gardener to build a flowerbed sized mine that can survive without sunlight. But rise when the moon shines at its peak to wave at fireflies & Goliaths that have nobody to lean on

She was use to getting leaned on

Mom

You let me go. Right when I was strong enough to hold you. Guess you were tired of the night terrors at 4 in the afternoon and didn't want to ruin my sunsets. I miss you every day and I wish I could have you back. But there's something about letting go of loved ones, you get a free hand to hold on to the better things they wanted for you

I am the son of a coalminers daughter

You can tell by the soot on my ring finger

and my ability to bury things

Deep in dark places

Where there is only the silhouette

Of sparrows

The Interview

Where do you draw your inspiration from to write poetry? 
I pull a lot of inspiration from fiction as well as page poetry. Its really all about reading as much as possible to have a full grasp of what your potential is and getting out of your comfort zone. 

What advice do you have for someone that is threatened by poetry? 
Don't ever let applause affect you. People have this idea that good poetry is supposed to have great reactions. That's not always the case, the best poetry always hushes a room. And find a safe place that is comfortable to perform. It may be difficult, but its really worth it. 

What is an interesting fact about you?
I battle rapped for years and was actually pretty successful. I was even a part of a league called Grind Time and I have opened up for artists like Method Man, Biz Markie and Slick Rick. I really fell into poetry by chance and haven't looked back since.

What is an interesting fact about you?  
I was raised in the Maryland suburbs but my father is Palestinian so I really identify as a Palestinian (which may have been a much better interesting point).

Who is your favorite poet? 
Favorite poet of all time would be 2 time individual poetry champion Buddy Wakefield. He's been a huge inspiration.   

Upcoming Event: Graffiti DC Featuring Drew Law and the Graffiti DC poets  April 24th at Liv Nightclub 8pm

Connect: 
@DrewLawDMV
Graffitidc.tumblr.com
@GraffitiDC