- "This is the one song everyone would like to learn, the song that is irresistible, the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons even though they see the beached skulls."

I've always loved poetry.

I have always been a writer and I've also been writing poetry since I was little.

So it always has had an integral part in my life and it's really nice that now I get to share that with everyone now.

(gentle music) Poetry Out Loud is a competition.

Competitors from all across the United States come together to compete in a poetry competition where you memorize three poems and say them in front of the crowd and try to emulate the emotions that are in the poem.

The stages of competition starts off with the school competition and then it's the state competition and then the national competition in Washington D.C..

They are looking for memorization primarily, but they're also looking for tone, emotion, understanding of what the poem is trying to say, good posture, not making too much movement on the stage and just trying to focus your energy on the poem itself rather than you as the person.

I have a big fear of public speaking.

That's what pushed me to do it, 'cause I was like, I know this is something that scares me, but it's something that I should do just to push myself.

A lot of that nervousness was alleviated when the competitors started conversing with each other and started congratulating each other and wishing them good luck.

It was like this really beautiful sense of community within the other contestants "Like the Sweet Apple, which reddens upon the topmost bow, atop on the topmost twig, which the pluckers forgot somehow.

Forget it, not nay, but got it not, for none could get it 'til now."

I think it is very important to choose more personalized poems, because it helps you kind of connect with the poem more and fuel that emotion with yourself.

You're being very personal and it helps you connect with everyone in the audience, because you are being so completely and utterly honest about everything in your life.

- [Presenter] The winner of this year's North Dakota 2024 Poetry Out Loud state champion is Circe Atkinson of Mandan High School.

(audience applauds) - I was kind of shocked, because the competition was fierce.

Everyone performed so beautifully well and chose amazing poems that kept the audience engaged.

I'm just grateful for the opportunity to do this competition at all, and also the opportunity to represent North Dakota in the national competition.

I think it's definitely helped me in the aspect of public speaking, but it's also increased my confidence in advocating for myself saying what I need.

There's been a lot of self-growth in this process and I am in fact proud of myself.

"Lemon balm is for forgiveness.

Pull up from the root, steep and boiling water.

Add a low-kissed wings, salt, the dried bones of hummingbirds.

Drink when you feel ready.

Drink even if you do not."

I would recommend other people look more into poetry, because it is the essence of human existence.

People pour their hearts and souls into their writing, and poetry is an extension of that.

It's the rawest form of human connection and emotion and being able to perform it like I did today was such an incredible and inspiring experience that I think everyone should have the ability to do.

"Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood is about the capturing of a sailor.

It's basically the essence of why human beings act the way we do.

Oftentimes, when we see someone in trouble, when we see someone in need, we rush to help them.

And in this poem, we see the siren saying, "I don't like doing this, please save me."

And that's what causes the sailor to fall for the trap.

On paper, it kind of sounds more like the siren loves what she does.

When I perform it, I choose to make it more regretful and remorseful and just full of sorrow.

"Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood.

"This is the one song everyone would like to learn, the song that is irresistible, the song that forces men to leap overboard in squadrons, even though they see the beached skulls, the song nobody knows, because anyone who has heard it is dead and the others can't remember.

Shall I tell you the secret?

And if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?

I don't enjoy it here, squatting on this island looking picturesque and mythical.

With these two feathery maniacs I don't enjoy singing this trio fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you, to you, only to you, come closer.

This song is a cry for help.

Help me, only you, only you can, you are unique.

At last, alas, it is a boring song, but it works every time."

(upbeat music) - [Announcer] Funded by the North Dakota Council on the Arts and by the members of Prairie Public.