The Spotlight Verse: Poetic Haze and the Power of “I’m So Dope”
- Lukumi Arlota
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
In the next installment of The Spotlight Verse, we’re honored to highlight the magnetic poet known as Poetic Haze.
When she first arrived, there was a softness in her aura—a quiet nervousness. You could feel it in the way she observed the room, scanning faces, maybe sizing up the energy. But the moment her name was called and she stepped onto the stage, something shifted.
Suddenly, she was glowing. Alive. Vibrant.
When she opened her mouth to speak, I was stunned—not just by her words, but by her confidence. Whatever nerves she carried in with her were gone. What stood in their place was a voice that demanded attention. Her presence was bold, dynamic, and fully embodied. She didn’t just perform—she owned the stage. Poetic Haze didn’t read a poem. She delivered an experience.
And for this spotlight, we’re focusing on just one piece: her explosive poem “I’m So Dope.”
“I’m So Dope” – Confidence as a Calling
The poem begins like a declaration, a spoken incantation of self-worth and unapologetic brilliance:
“I’m So Dope I mean I’m Different, optimistic, persistent…”
With this powerful opener, Poetic Haze introduces herself through a poetic acronym—but quickly reveals that this is more than clever wordplay. It’s an ethos. A philosophy. A challenge to the room to see her in full color.
From the moment the poem begins, Poetic Haze commands your attention—not just through her words, but through her stage presence. Her body speaks along with her verses. Her tone rises and dips like a skilled musician playing their favorite instrument. She raps, chants, testifies, and preaches—without ever missing a beat. Each word is felt before it’s fully understood.
“I can take you to your own atmosphere / and meet the you you’re supposed to be…”
This isn’t a poem about being better than anyone else. It’s about being in your own lane, at your highest vibration, in your divine alignment. Poetic Haze speaks not just to the audience but into them—pouring energy and affirmation into every ear.
Her voice crescendos with the kind of passion that makes people sit up straighter and listen harder. It’s not manufactured. It’s not rehearsed. It’s real, pulsing straight from the gut.
A High That’s Healing
“I’ll show you the different ways to be submissive / submissive to your own high…”
In this powerful line, Haze flips the narrative. She challenges the audience to submit—not to outside pressures or expectations, but to their own elevation. Her metaphors come at you like waves—dopamine, morphine, PTSD, stars, Pluto. She weaves in psychological insight, spiritual truths, and cultural commentary all at once.
And yet, in the middle of it all, she never loses her connection to the room. She smiles. She pauses for reaction. She nods to the beat of her own brilliance.
The poem is a verbal mixtape—part manifesto, part healing session, part battle cry. And it ends not with a whisper, but a breathless release. The audience is left in awe, catching their breath while she casually exhales greatness.
Poetic Haze: More Than Dope—She’s Divine
Watching Poetic Haze perform “I’m So Dope” was like watching someone fully embody who they were born to be. The transformation from quiet arrival to commanding artist was inspiring in itself, but it’s the authenticity that makes her unforgettable.
She doesn’t ask for permission to shine—she invites you to shine with her. Her stage presence is electric yet grounding. She leaves the audience not just entertained, but changed.
So to Poetic Haze: thank you. Thank you for your vulnerability, your voltage, and your voice. In a room full of noise, you brought clarity. In a world full of distractions, you gave us presence.
You aren’t just dope.
You’re the reason poetry still matters.
Lukumi Arlota – Contributing Writer
Lukumi Arlota is a mental health advocate, black empowerment activist, public speaker, and business owner.
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