Poetry slam previews students' San Fran journey

"Never satisfied, I will practice my practice forever."

These were the powerful words spoken by Sinnea Douglas, 18, as she performed for a City Hall audience yesterday her spoken-poetry piece about wanting to become a teacher.

Douglas is one of the six members of the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement team who will bring their rhymes, cadences and powerful messages to San Francisco for the Brave New Voices National Poetry Slam team championships next Wednesday through Saturday.

Founded in 2006, the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM) provides a safe environment and means of expression for 13- to 19-year-olds across the city. By learning the art of spoken-word poetry, they engage in critical thinking and, as founder and executive director Greg Corbin puts it, "discover their voices."

PYPM offers free writing and performance workshops on Saturdays at the Science Leadership Academy, at 22nd and Arch streets, and holds poetry-slam nights every third Saturday at The Rotunda on Walnut, on Walnut Street near 40th.

PYPM also looks to give kids an expressive outlet, provide mentoring, develop confidence and encourage community outreach.

"I like the opportunities that it gives me," said Douglas, who is competing for the second time at Brave New Voices. "Opportunities to grow as a poet, as a writer, as a person, to meet new people, to push myself, and to step outside my comfort zone."

The Philadelphia team won in 2007, and this year, teammates have been "busting their brains" practicing four or five days a week, up to seven hours a day, Corbin said.

"It's intense because we want to win and we're dedicated, but it's fun," explained Safiya Washington, 16. "We have the best bond possible."

But these teens also know that there's more to it than competition.

"What they get is the exchange of community, to interact with people of a different cultural background, different landscapes, and to see tangible solutions," Corbin said.

"I'm very proud of these young people," said Mayor Nutter, who's been known to bust a rhyme occasionally. "Art and culture and the creative economy are critically important for Philadelphia."

The city's Fund for Philadelphia, Southwest Airlines and the Lomax Foundation all chipped in to help pay for the trip.