Phoenix spoken-word artist Jason Lalli won’t be boxed in by a one-word label. He defines himself as an awareness/ vulnerable/empowerment/performance poet. “It comes with a great responsibility as I shine light by speaking the truth about issues that are often overlooked or ignored. Ultimately my goal is to speak to a soul, to touch a heart with a perspective that will help, guide, and empower them to experience personal growth.”
I see the world as clay
With imperfections in need of attention
As a work of art, yet to be molded waiting to take shape
Jason was a well known name in the performance-poetry community, hosting and sharing his work at slam events, co-founding the Phoenix Festival of the Arts, and establishing Infuse Open Mic in collaboration with the Phoenix Art Museum, when his life took a frightening turn. He experienced a series of traumatic brain injuries starting in 2018. “A tornado came through. Brain injury left me with high anxiety, emotional volatility, and cognitive deficits.” Through years of therapy he has slowly recovered, although he considers himself an entirely different person now. “I had to grieve the death of the old me.”
I see my hands as a vessel
My mind, sketches a rough draft that was inspired by my heart
My mouth, is like a tool chest
With words and inflexions not limited to structure
With stories and metaphors
With truth and fiction
I see a way to leave an impression
Not like the footprint in the sand, but like a meteor crater stamps the earth
After his injuries Jason began sharing his experiences, creating uplifting and informative Instagram videos about TBI and his healing journey. The response was remarkable. “I never thought I’d have so many TBI survivors approach me because of my videos, telling me I am the only person they have found who speaks the language of TBI. Most importantly, they no longer feel alone.” This led him into a new career as a life coach and consultant for traumatic brain injury and trauma healing. “I show up for my clients with experiential wisdom and as an empathetic witness, allowing us to connect organically with depth.”
We can’t wait for one person to change the world
What a foolish expectation
We must change it ourselves … one person at a time … one seed in a line
So I extend my hand to plant that seed
To nourish roots with the poetry flowing through my veins
For a long time Jason couldn’t imagine a return to writing. “I did not think I would connect to creativity again, let alone myself. Creativity was as distant a dream as being a professional ball player as a child, seemingly unreachable.” Over time, he returned to his love of poetry. But being a different person had its effects on his writing. “My style has shifted. My rhythm has changed. My delivery, messages, depth, rhyme schemes are all different since my process has evolved.” Returning to performance was also a challenge. He experienced severe anxiety for the first time in his writing career and difficulty with social interactions. He looks back at his older poems from a changed perspective. “I know the intention and story of how and why I wrote them, but now I experience them as if I didn’t write them but as an audience member applying my own interpretation.” In retrospect, he believes that his poetry has transformed for the better. “I feel my writing and performances are stronger than ever.”
It’s the power of one
That one can influence a hundred
That hundred can spread amongst thousands …
The domino effect of selflessness can infect a negative mind
It can cure the excuses used for our lack of trying
So step outside your zone of comfort
Jason draws parallels between sharing his TBI videos and performing his work. They are both based in vulnerability. “I have learned this vulnerability, which requires courage, strength, and bravery, resonates with people. It inspires. It creates a ripple that expands far beyond our comprehension as it creates changes in the worlds around the poet, and the worlds around the audience, and so forth as the ripple expands.”
Unite a community with random acts of kindness
Tell a stranger to smile, or smile at a stranger
This is the beginning of addressing the problems we see
By reaching out to those in need instead of turning our back
On what we think doesn’t affect us
But in reality, we all know it actually does
Currently Jason is combining his skills as a performance artist, motivational speaker and life coach in his work with Decisive Life, where he plans to reactivate his bullying-prevention program. “My work there is fulfilling and I live with a great peace and gratitude for my life and ability to have such an impact on the world around me.” He continues to host poetry-slam events and perform his work for audiences. “I know the power of my presence and my words. I hope to inspire others to find the same within themselves.”
We … we as a community
Can mold our world into the finest work of art ever created
So that our creator can look at us
Like a proud father to accomplished son
And say, “I’m so proud of how far you’ve come,
Now continue to change the world”
— excerpts from “Lasting Impression” by Jason Lalli
Listen to full poem on YouTube.
Dee Cohen is a Prescott poet and photographer. deecohen@cox.net.
