High school poetry slam event held at Alley Theatre

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Eighteen students from six Houston high schools 'bared their souls' at a 'slam' poetry competition on Saturday at the Alley Theatre.

"To blow away this hastily painted surface that seem perfect yet ripped apart at the seams torn to bits to leave you crying in tattered rags," said one participant.

Those stirring words came from one of the 18 local high school students who took part of the poetry slam. These boys and girls hit the crowd with powerful stories and messages.

Topics range from body image issues, depression, and abuse to race and surviving teenage years.