Art will save the world

​Last night I went to the local open mic for poets. It's one of my favorite events around here and they do it once every month.

​I felt that this month was an especially relevant time to go as art is healing for both the person who creates it and the person who experiences it. It is always important that people feel safe and encouraged to express themselves, their stories and their feelings. When the world around us is in a major upheaval and people feel lost, scared and alienated it is more important than ever.

​I am always impressed by the courage and grit these poets have to share not only their work, but their fears, their regrets and their deepest secrets to a room full of strangers. I am also equally impressed by the audience, which always comes together to offer the highest level of support and unity I have ever experienced.

​When a person gets to the mic and announces it's their first time they are greeted with thunderous applause and smiles. When a nervous person stumbles on their words the crowd cheers them on. When someone shares something particularly sensitive, such as about being abused as a child, the crowd responds with sincere love and respect. It is the kind of environment I wish we fostered all the time.

​I heard so many inspiring and unique poems last night. There is always something so profound and engaging about hearing poetry read by the person who created it.

I thank all the brave souls who showed up last night to share their heart, their soul and their art. As the host of the night said at one point, "Art will save the world."

​I truly believe he was right.