Gayle Danley at Compass House

Slam poet Gayle Danley presented at Compass House on Thursday, October 10. The shelter, for runaway and homeless youth, hosts Writing for Life, a  YA-WNY residency that encourages the expression of difficult emotions through the creation of "altered books," journals of memoir writing and found imagery. Funded with major support from the John R. Oishei Foundation, the program is taught by teaching artist Sherry Robbins and art therapist Kristen Crosson, with a performance/presentation by Danley.

Arts and Education Director Sunnylee Mowery and Program Director Palmer Davis attended the performance. Both were inspired to witness firsthand the ways the arts empower youth, enrich lives, and erase barriers between different age groups, as interns, staff, teenagers and performer discussed poetry, relationships and self-expression in a productive setting.

Announcing to the group seated in chairs and couches that she was going to perform some slam poetry, as soon as pen and paper were passed around, Danley engaged the young people by insisting they score her work, and encouraging a conversation about what to title her newer pieces. Danley soon had the entire group laughing, singing and crying along with her, as she shared personal memories of her parents, children and early years as a poet. After a set of fourteen poems, Danley asked everyone to share their scores, giving the young people the opportunity to provide some gentle critique of her work.

The evening wrapped up with three teenagers spontaneously sharing poetry of their own. One read a piece he had written during Danley's performance, one recited a piece from memory, and a third read from her cell phone several poems she had posted online. Danley provided personalized suggestions for each of them, urging everyone to use writing as a safe outlet for their feelings.