A thoughtful question came in recently from a local arts event attendee: “What’s the difference between a poet and a spoken word artist?” It’s a great question that many people wonder about as they discover the rich, vibrant world of the literary and performing arts.
Let’s break it down for everyone, because the arts are for everyone. Whether it’s words, music, sound, photos, movement, or color, we live with the arts every single day. And frankly, we can’t live without them.
Quick Guide: Poet vs. Spoken Word Artist
DEFINITITIN AND MEDIUM
A poet is anyone who creates poetry. Their work may live quietly on the page, be read silently, or be performed aloud. Poetry doesn’t always need to be spoken—it can be experienced visually, even through sign language or read by someone who is deaf.
A spoken word artist creates poetry specifically meant to be performed. The power of their work lies in how it’s delivered—through voice, rhythm, stage presence, and emotion. Their poetry is made to be heard and felt in the moment.
INTENTION AND FORM
Page poetry is designed for reading. Structure, language, and layout play key roles in understanding it. It often invites slow reflection and interpretation.
Spoken word poetry is built for performance. It prioritizes sound, timing, and emotional resonance—how the piece lands when spoken aloud.
Performance vs. Page
A poet may or may not choose to perform. Some prefer the intimacy of the written word, others enjoy live readings.
A spoken word artist is first and foremost a performer. Their work is meant to be experienced live, often memorized, with attention to delivery and audience connection.
ACCESSIBILITY AND AUDIENCE
Written poetry can sometimes be abstract or layered, rewarding close reading and familiarity with poetic techniques.
Spoken word poetry is typically more immediate, clear, emotional, and designed to reach a wide audience in real time.
SO, WHO’S WHO?
In short, All spoken word artists are poets, but not all poets are spoken word artists. It’s about medium and intention. Some poets publish and perform. Some spoken word artists print their work. The lines blur—and that’s a beautiful thing.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The Arts Are For Everyone
Whether it’s a poem scribbled in a notebook or a powerful spoken word piece echoing off the walls of a local open mic, the arts connect us. They help us make sense of the world. They tell stories, stir empathy, provoke thought, and offer healing.
Poetry—on the page or on the stage—is one of the oldest art forms we have. And it’s still evolving every day, right here in our community.
So if you’ve never been to a spoken word night, go. If you’ve never read a poetry collection, check one out. If you’ve never written a line of poetry, grab a napkin and start. Because the arts are not just for artists. They’re for everyone.
We need the arts. Every day. In every form.
From the music in your headphones, to the rhythm of a well-told story, to the photo that makes you stop scrolling—the arts are everywhere. Let’s keep celebrating them. Let’s keep creating. Let’s keep listening.
We welcome Ailehs Tony to BEP Voice as our resident “Reel Talk” host. Ailehs is a retired combat Veteran who says, “I still strive to serve the Veteran community by not only volunteering in the community, but also providing one on one peer support, coordinating peer support groups, and assisting with community resources.