It’s been a long, hard week here at Chez Belle.  Congress is getting back into the swing of things, the election is taking off and, of course, I chose this week to get sick, missing the coolest event of the year: Simon Doonan at the W.  [headdesk]  But it wasn’t all bad…

While I was laying on my couch recuperating, I watched a documentary that I had TiVoed from OWN called “Louder than a Bomb.”  The documentary followed four groups of Chicago high school students as they prepared for and competed in the largest poetry slam contest in America.  

Now, some of you are probably thinking, “Poetry slam = Granola Hippies in a Coffee Shop with Bongos.” But just watch these two videos, and you’ll see some of the awesomeness that grabbed my attention and admiration.  

Nate Marshall, Lebron James

Adam Gottlieb, Breathe Now

These poems are good, but the ones featured in the documentary are even better.  And the stories told about the lives these kids lead and the issues that they’ve overcome–neglect, abuse, crime, etc.–through poetry are incredible. So if you want something inspirational to lift your spirits and make you feel better about America’s youth, pick up a copy of “Louder than a Bomb” on Netflix.  (Sadly, it’s not out for sale until March 20, 2012.)