I perform slam poetry at open mics in the Southwest Arkansas region. At its core, slam is a counter-cultural phenomenon against academic ownership over the poetry genre that seeks to democratize poetry, creating a space where the voices of the oppressed and disadvantaged can be heard. My poetry investigates place, learning and development, academia, and nature–all through a style that emphasizes simplicity, accessibility, and Midwestern values and dialect features. My most recent project has been an exploration of salvaging a past in subcultures one no longer identifies with.