It is refreshing to be able to recite poetry and have an audience feel what you feel, see what you see, hear what you hear, taste what you taste, think what you think — even if it is for just a moment.

Among a crowd of ACC students and faculty, Steven Dunn showed off the talent of his poetic words at the Open Mic event ACC’s Writer’s Studio hosted several weeks ago.  His words have sat with me ever since.

Humbled by his Veteran title, Dunn shared an experience of being a man in uniform serving our country.  He had a very interesting perspective, for he didn’t want to be thanked by the woman who walked by him as he expressed in his poem.

Although he fought for our country, there seemed to be this conflicting feeling of greatness drowned by the harsh reality that lives are being taken in the name of the country whose war he fought in.

With his first book, Potted Meat, recently published, I asked Dunn what some of his goals are as a writer. His response was to help people of color become more successful writers. In the most selfless way, Dunn writes to gain experience and then condition others to be great writers themselves.

Dunn, along with fellow writers, hosts a public reading “The Art of Storytelling,” which takes place at the end of each month at Prodigy Coffeehouse.  It sounds like the perfect time to kick back and listen to people unfold their emotions, life and their being.

But it is not easy to share your work with people, especially strangers.

It takes much courage and a calm mind – if you can stand to keep one – in front of a bunch of eyes staring back at you.

As a great writer himself, I had to know who his favorite writer happened to be; that, or someone he looked up to.  He said that he is a fan of James Baldwin and I can see why; but he also enjoys the lyrics of artist such as Outkast and Nas.  You know, good music.

In the end, poetry and spoken word is powerful.  If you are a writer, a poet, a speaker, do not be afraid to speak out.