Confessions are often seen as repentance for wrongdoing. In spoken word, confessions offer the opportunity to explore what lies beneath the surface.

Every Wednesday, open mic poets perform at Diverse Universe (215 Tallassee Road), baring their innermost thoughts and emotions.

“Although the name is ‘Poetic Confessionz’ it is really an open mic,” said Montu Miller, a founder of Dreaded Mindz.

Hosted by Mon2 with music provided by DJ Atlas, the event provides a chance for networking and mingling from 9 to 10 p.m., followed by the “poetry power hour” from 10 to 11 p.m.

Sign-up for the open mic occurs at the beginning of the night. Each participant is given five to seven minutes to perform a poem, song or creative form of expression.

“There are always new people on the list and all the poets are different. You never know from one week to the next what will happen,” said Shayla Robinson, a third-year graduate student from Michigan.

Beginning in 2000, the group met weekly in Miller’s living room in sessions entitled
“the Cypher.” The group was comprised of poets, novelists and thinkers.

Some of the participants are graduates of the University and credit the “cyphering” sessions with helping them deal with struggles and frustrations of their lives as college students.

“It birthed out of feeling alone, coming from all over the country but not feeling like we had a base. I always found it to be comforting or healing,” said Lemuel Laroche, a performer known as “Life” in the spoken word community and a University graduate.

As the sessions grew, the group searched and hosted similar events at different places before finding a home at Diverse Universe.

“This year we want to take it to the next level and encourage people to submit their best work similar to (HBO’s) ‘Def Poetry,’” said Laroche.

Confessionz also offers students a different, yet meaningful form of entertainment.

“Students leave Poetic Confessionz with a greater sense of focus,” said Laroche.

Robinson also echoes this sentiment.

“It really gives you an outlet and everyone is here for one reason – the poetry. They make you feel welcome,” Robinson said.