Why It Matters
"And the things I make matter. And the people I share my work with matter. And what spaces like the Poetry Room have shown me is that all of us together, matter". - Theo Van Hof
Masaki’s Note: Theo Van Hof and I first met in a college writing workshop, where I got to see his words up close — the care he puts into them, the honesty. Watching him grow from that classroom to the stage of The Poetry Room has been one of the quiet joys of this community. This one's his.
Poetry
I wrote my first poem in an office that did online marketing somewhere in East Berlin when I was 18.
It was a haiku about tacos.
A few years later, I walked up on a stage in a part-time bookstore and stood in front of a microphone for the first time and performed a poem.
I had spent months writing and editing my words. Crafting each word carefully to carry the exact meaning they needed. Rehearsed it again and again. In front of the mirror, in the shower, in the car, on walk, that poem and I went everywhere together. And I was ready. I got up on stage, relieved to be blinded by the lights above, and I began. My heart racing, breath shaking and convinced that my legs were going to give out. And I performed the poem. I performed the absolute fuck out of that poem. All my passion, rage, sadness, grief and longing for a different, better world finally distilled into one magical moment.
It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be because right then and there I was in. Poetry, writing, reading, whatever, I was in.
After I sent the poem to a friend of mine, they asked why I write. By then, each of my creative writing classes had asked me to reflect on this at some point. My answer was always the same really. I needed a way to organize my thoughts. Something to give order to my life. Because I’ve spent a lot of my life confused.
What to do.
Who to be.
And how the fuck did I even end up here in the first place?
That last question seems like a joke, but I mean it. Why am I here? I don’t have an answer beyond simply: chaos. The universe is entirely chaotic. I mean look around! Does any of this shit make sense? All of us occurring spontaneously for a little blip of time and then right back out of existence we go. Maybe we come back to this life, I don’t know, but the point is, I’ve come to realize, it doesn’t matter why I’m here. It just matters that I’m here. A life that is mine to do with what I want (no matter how much the market might try to take that from me). Free will or not, simulation or not, some alien’s fever dream or not, this shit feels real. And the things I make matter. And the people I share my work with matter. And what spaces like the Poetry Room have shown me is that all of us together, matter. Sharing our stories and little pieces of our lives. Sharing our art and lending an ear. To be heard is to be understood. That’s what I hope I can offer people. A chance to share a bit of themselves and for me to understand them better.
A few weeks ago, I went back up on that stage. I stood in front of the same microphone and read the same poem. My words changed. My performance changed. But my heart still thumped, my breath still wavered, my legs, though, held firm. Because this time they were on solid ground. Supported by a whole community of people, so brilliant in their own way. And I knew that in this space, someone, everyone, would help me back up if I fell.
There is nothing in the world as beautiful as a community of poets, writers, just trying to understand themselves, each other and this chaotic, fucked-up world we live in a little bit better. I write to understand yes, but I now write to connect with the beauty, passion and love I know we are all full of.
Together, onward poets!
We write.
-Theo Van Hof
Next Event
Our last open mic before our summer break.
Join us for an evening of lyrical expression and artistic camaraderie at The Poetry Room Open Mic! Whether you’re a seasoned poet or stepping onto the stage for the first time, this event is your platform to share your words, thoughts, and emotions with a supportive audience.
Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 7:00 Doors/Sign Up
Start Event 7:30p - 9:00pm
Location: The Robin Theatre
Optional Theme: An Ode or give someone/something praise!
Donations appreciated
Venmo: ThePoetryRoom
Cash App: $ThePoetryRoom
Donations help us keep our open mics free.
