Throw time out the window. Red is more than just a color — it’s a symbol of beauty, love and passion. Betrayal hurts no matter where you are in life. Sounds like something you hear from an advanced thinker, a man or woman of philosophical nature, right?

Well it is.

Students at N.C. Central University, the Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School to be exact, have come up with poetry based on themes of love, betrayal and the shortness of life for the Shadow Slam! Poetry Slam.

The event will take place tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building Theater.

Marylin Tom, one of the advisers for the school’s literary club, is eager to hear what students have to say.

“These students come from the rap/hip-hop culture so that’s what they latched onto,” she said.

“We kind of just went with it.”

The event, in addition to being supported by the J.D. Clement Early College High Schools, is being hosted by NCCU’s Ex Umbra literary magazine.

Gregory Wilson, editor of Ex Umbra, saw a lot of talent and an enjoyment for performing poetry in the students.

“Students will be rated on a 10-point scale by the guest judges, who can be swayed by the audience’s reactions --- but their decisions are final,” Wilson said about the scoring.

The Early College High School students are nervous, but remain confident about their work.

Tenth grader Rachael Johnson is simply nervous about her chances at the Shadow Slam.

“It’s going to be hard to compete against college students, and I don’t think I’ll get first place, but I’m going to try,” Johnson said.

“Competition is just about getting out my feelings and convincing others that poetry is cool,” said ninth grade student Jacqueline Powell.