01/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 1, 2026 II theSunday Special

Open mic nights and packed poetry slams give Malaysian youth a powerful platform for self-expression The rise of spoken word poetry

My poetry is my way of journaling what happens to me and it enables me to make sense of and find wisdom in whatever situation inspires me to write.”

P OETRY is a delicate form of art that comes straight from the heart. Like painting and sculpture, it comes in many forms and draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. Spoken word SRHWU\ LV D VSHFL¿F W\SH RI SRHWU\ WKDW KDV gained a large following over the years. It is performed out loud, not just read on a page. It is a cross between storytelling and performance. The poetry is delivered aloud with emotion and rhythm. Every spoken word poem tells a story, evokes raw emotions and addresses real-life issues. The poet uses their voice, tone and body language to make the words even more powerful. The spoken word poetry scene in Ma laysia is thriving, with poetry events and open mic nights serving as platforms for both up-and-coming and experienced poets. These events serve as a creative outlet for self-expression and sharing, especially for youth with a lot to say from their fresh, unique outlooks on life. One of them is Anis Nadia Ismail, a spoken word poet and author of Notes from the Heart , a collection of poetry spanning 18 years. She is also the founder and editor of an independent publishing company that serves as a platform for writers to publish their work. She started performing during secondary school. She BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

Anis

even performed at her friends’ weddings as a gift. Things started to get more serious after she joined a poetry slam organised by Jalan Dalam and was exposed to the poetry scene in the Klang Valley in 2024. “I’m actually quite new to the local poetry scene, but from what I can see, there are both established avenues like Jalan Dalam, which has been around for many years and newer ones sprouting, such as Echoes and Closed Quarters at Ruang Hidup Manjalara,” Anis explained. Anis draws inspiration from personal experiences and often writes poems in the moment as she works through her thoughts. She also likes to write poetry inspired by the songs she listens to, giving each song an interpretation through her poetry. “My poetry is my way of journaling what happens to me and it enables me to make sense of and find wisdom in whatever situation inspires me to write. A lot of it is centred around nostalgia and melancholy as I write about whatever life brings.

Anis often performs at her friends’ weddings as a gift.