Jardel's passion for poetry wins through
We managed to catch a few minutes with Poetry Slam winner Jardel Rodrigues whilst he was revising in the library at St Johns campus.
Jardel didn’t excel at school and decided not to not continue his studies further. He set his sights on a career in plumbing and construction, but always had a passion for English and poetry. He started writing rock songs when he was young and wants to produce his own anthology of poetry.
Poetry has changed my life. I’m not sure what I'd be doing now if it wasn't for poetry.
Taking advice from an old college tutor in north Trafford he was encouraged to go back to college to study something he was passionate about. ‘I didn’t take her too seriously at the time’ he said, but I thought about what she said and decided to give it a go. I chose to study on the Access to English Writing and Media course. I’m really enjoying being able to share ideas with like-minded people. I’ve applied to university and am looking to go to Salford and do English and Creative Writing. A couple of years ago that would have been out the question.’
‘I’ve decided to stay local for the poetry scene, so I can be close to where the gigs are taking place. I go to lots of poetry gigs and have taken part in poetry slam competitions. It's as close as you can get to a rap battle with poetry and brings a whole new level to urban poetry with music. There’s a really competitive edge! I entered the poetry slam competition and performed at Contact Theatre and won. I’m going forward to the winners slam and hoping to become the Slam King.’
I really enjoy writing poetry and have got some ideas for a novel. My work’s already published in some anthologies but I want to publish my own anthology. I want it to be different and work with a publisher so I can create a magazine of urban poetry.
‘Poetry has changed my life. I’m not sure what I'd be doing now if it wasn't for poetry. When I finish my degree I’d like to do pastoral care working in schools with kids disengaged in English and get them to engage in poetry through rap music.’
