We were lucky to catch up with Masaki Takahashi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Masaki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Poetry Room Open Mic, really brought back the love of writing for me. I was very fortunate and doors kept flying open when I started hosting these events. It’s crazy to think about. But the reason it has been meaningful is because of the community built. It has become a place where people can be heard, listen and grow. This is a place where people can feel good about their work but still know they can still grow if they choose to or be comfortable with their craft as is. Some people like myself, are dedicated to take this as far as possible, competing with other national poets. For some people, this is cathartic and that’s a beautiful thing. It doesn’t always have to be hardcore but everyone who is dedicated to their craft, belongs here. The feedback on what The Poetry Room has meant to people has been different. For some people it pushed them to be more dedicated and better at their craft, for some it was a sense of freedom, a sense a belonging, some people learned new cultures and were around people they never have been exposed to. I can say The Poetry Room open mic taught me a lot and exposed me to a whole different worlds. So the experience of hosting The Poetry Room has been highly satisfying, enriching and a blessing to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a spoken word artist from Lansing, Michigan, the proud founder/host of The Poetry Room Open Mic, The Poetry Room LLC which is a 501 3C tax-exempt non-profit and I am also the current Poet Laureate of Lansing, Michigan.

I got into writing as an angsty teen. I got really into hip hop. At the time, I got into hip hop it was counter culture. It was the time of Korn and Limp Bizkit. I couldn’t relate to them. Being Asian-American, being otherized, you tend to love counter culture because it was rebellious. The mainstream didn’t love us. I couldn’t relate to wearing Abercrombie and LFO singing about how Chinese food makes them sick because I couldn’t afford Abercrombie and I love Chinese food. Chinese food is the most delicious. I was far more drawn to 2pac saying ““For every dark night, there’s a brighter day.” I rather hear Mos Def rap “Like the nationwide projects, prison-industry complex/Working class poor better keep your alarm set/Streets too loud to ever hear freedom ring/Say evacuate your sleep, it’s dangerous to dream”.

The Poetry Room is for the real. Its mission is to give people a platform to express and voice their lived experiences. You come here to stand for something. When you’re a true writer, you realize your purpose. Your purpose is bigger than your entire life. The message is bigger than you. The Poetry Room is inspiring and honest. It’s vulnerable. It’s a message with a purpose. One of my mentors once asked me “How do you improve on silence?”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pandemic had shut EVERYTHING down. I had so much planned, I finally got one of my favourite poets of ALL-TIME to agree to come feature at The Poetry Room but we had to be in quarantine.

But just like everything in life, you have to find the silver lining. We started doing virtual showcases. The open mics were a mess to deal with and the showcases were easier. I had to invest in lighting, a new camera and lenses but it was dope! It was like playing fantasy basketball but with poetry. I got like almost every one of my favorite poets to come by! I got to do events with my friends who had moved, I even got to reconnect with a childhood friend who is a editor at Penguin Random House. He and I started writing poetry together in 4th grade. So, that really made me happy. The showcases also had raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits and shared their mission to our audience. So, we really made the best out of the situation.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

At the end of a show, or an open mic, people feel good about themselves and their work. I sometimes forget this. There are so many times I get stuck in my own head that I have to be the best but that is complete bull and full of ego.

I have to remember that this is fun. It’s hard work and I completely love the process of writing and performing but when I lose sight it’s often selfish, and myopic. When I look up, and see people smiling and happy, that’s when I remember this is not about me and never was. This is about us. When you write, and you share your work, it’s no longer just your work, it’s the audiences’ to consume and interpret.

You do your best everyday. That’s the process and that is what is rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.517poetryroom.com
• Instagram: theoriginalsaki
• Facebook: the517poetryroom
• Youtube: theoriginalsaki