ATTLEBORO -- (Poetry Slam (from poetryslam.com): A competitive event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. Typically, the host or another organizer selects the judges, who are instructed to give numerical scores (on a zero to 10 or 1 to 10 scale) based on the poets' content and performance.)

This weekend's third annual Poetry Slam at the Attleboro Arts Museum recognizes the power of words and truth in an Olympic-style poetry competition that blends poetry, music and comedy and turns audience members into active participants. We spoke to Simone Beaubien, poet and SlamMaster for this weekend's slam, as well as the long-running Boston Poetry Slam, about a SlamMaster's role, the vibe of a poetry slam, and the power of poetry in general.

The Sun Chronicle: You hold the title of Slam Master for the Boston Poetry Slam as well the upcoming slam at the Attleboro Arts Museum. What does that role entail?

Simone Beaubien: In a generic sense, the "SlamMaster" is the host of a poetry slam: think "ringmaster," "Master of Ceremonies," and "poet wrangler," and that about covers it. That's the role I'll be playing at the Attleboro slam.

In a more specific, official sense, the SlamMaster acts as the primary contact for a poetry slam registered with our national organization, Poetry Slam, Inc. (PSI). That's my role with the Boston Poetry Slam, and it entails everything mentioned above, plus responsibility for making sure our slam is nationally registered and up-to-date, organizing and keeping records for the poetry slam competitions we hold, and applying to send a team to the annual National Poetry Slam. SC: How long have you been involved in poetry slams and what inspired you to get involved?

SB: I've been the SlamMaster for the Boston Poetry Slam since the original SM, Michael Brown, stepped down in 2004. Before that, though, the slam had been going strong since 1991. I first found the scene when a local poet, Jack McCarthy, saw me read at a library open mic and encouraged me to come out and read. I tried the open mic first, but when I started seeing poetry slams, I thought, "I can do that" I've been involved with the BPS as an open mic regular, a slammer, a member of the slam team, coach of the slam team, and the SlamMaster, and each of these roles has had something to teach me.

SC: How would you describe a poetry slam?

SB: It's a fast-paced competition where poets have a limited amount of time to impress judges randomly selected from the audience: storytelling, lyricism, and stand-up comedy all come together in what's evolved to a modern oral tradition. Slam is not a passive performance; in addition to the judges, other audience members are strongly encouraged to participate by cheering, whistling, or mildly heckling the hosts or judges. Kids and adults alike learn the power of a single word, line, or figure of speech when spoken aloud.

SC: How would you compare a poetry slam to a poetry reading, a spoken word performance, etc.?

SB: In theory, the only difference is that the performing poets are being scored. In practice, of course, it can mean that poets going for the win may choose to perform poems that connect with the greatest number of people possible. Slam poetry has a reputation for addressing personal and political issues, because that's more likely to elicit a high score from a random pool of judges.

SC: This sounds like a fascinating event as well as a powerful one. Especially considering that it is being held during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, what are your thoughts on the power of poetry?

SB: I think poetry has as much power as the reader or listener chooses to give it. Like any art, sport, or other creative human endeavor, its existence is based on a passion for expression. When a community rallies around that expression, it gains in strength and meaning.

SC: What is your background in poetry? Why have you gravitated to the art form, and what do you think it has to offer as a medium?

SB: I started messing around with writing poetry sometime in eighth grade; I think prose intimidates me because I often get hung up on writing dialogue, and I most enjoy writing in imagery. Poetry works out as a great medium for me because I really like to tell stories, especially stories about people, and poetry affords me a pithy, non-linear way to do that. SC: Do you think poetry gets the attention it deserves in modern-day education? How could it be more integrated?

SB: I do think that poetry gets short shrift in schools these days, if only because teachers are so restricted in the amount of time they have to devote to it in the curriculum.

Plenty of students are exposed to Shakespeare's sonnets and William Carlos Williams, but they're left to form their opinions from that very small sample.

It's like listening to Beethoven's Ninth and some B. B. King, then trying to figure out if you like music.

If you go ...A

What: Third annual Poetry Slam

Where: Attleboro Arts Museum, 86 Park St., Attleboro

When: Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Info: Presented in conjuction with the Boston Poetry Slam in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend