I read this beautiful poem in my English class and I’m so happy we got to see her point of view. It makes me sad how Muslim majority countries are suffering even though the innocent women, men, and children had nothing to do with the 9/11 events😞
"Affirm life. Affirm life. We got to carry each other now. You are either with life, or against it. Affirm life." I'm always speechless when I finish watching this. Always tearful.
Pain is poetry love is hurt, tears are a live, but here to see it alive & breathing. My heart touches on this piece with a right fist of steel in the air. If you don't feel this, ur not alive. Mad props to that woman, undisputed talent within u girl! Keep on keepin on!!!
These words are so touching that they have spread around the world. I am in USA and my dear little brother from Morocco shared them with me. I am sure that your words have even touched GOD. May he rain blessings upon you!
words can be so powerful and she knows how to do it. It made me cry. And I don't think people should hate on her. She's expressing something inside her the only way she knows how. And I think it's brilliant and it's a gift few of us have.
this brought tears to my eyes she is so right. we need to seek truth, peace and justice. not look at things for what we think they are, but for what they truely are. not be quick to judge and accuse.
this made my heart swell so much cause we are all human beings no matter what race we are a bad person bears no color you cant blame the innocent of one mans actions in this world...love this so much had to cry with her words..She has 2 brothers in the Navy in the US and i honor them both,,thak you my brothers for you service..God Bless you all...xoxo
TAKBEER, Mashallah very very nice words of a wise lady to describe her brothers in a poem and show the affection of her poem on stage in front of audiance. inshallah allah gives her the baracha.
This is such a moving piece. First Writing Since is still relevant in 2010! That is awesome writing. Thank you for posting this and Suheir is blessed that this was able to come through so loud and so clear.
Years later the same cycle has cycled. I can agree we have progressed and have more advantages, but as a society we are still struggling. Beyond beautiful poem.
this poem is priceless i always shed a tear because it reminds me of the poor innocent women and children dying in palestine and this poem shows that islam only represent peace manshallah for her for being so honest
thank u suheir i hope god be with u and keep u strong and beautiful. you speak the truth from your hart. and u let people know about what is gowing on in middle east we love you .MASHALLAH
(3:19) I've read TOO MANY BOOKS to believe what I'm told! You are either with Life or against it. Affirm Life! Loved this poem sweetheart. Very moving!
the message is WAKE UP!!!!!!! and for all those hating on what the sister said in her poem we will pray for your awakening, like the other comment said, we gotta stop seperating ourselves into categories, we are the HUMAN race..and we got some folks thats abusing their gift of life and oppressing people, we gotta fight that negative energy.... incredible poem, i salute the sister for having the guts to put it out there, peace!!!!!!!
"And it doesn't even relate to me" Yet you stayed to comment it If it doesnt bother you or relate to you...dont watch it "it doesnt do anything to help the issue" what do u expect fool? it outlines her views and is beautiful poetry
ive lived in both Texas and currently Toronto you cant possibly believe that canadians are dimwitted? thats just being naive. this ladys got a great voice. she spoke from the heart and everyone could feel it
shit i cant lie as a arab male hearing this everytime i shed a tear this is what 911 felt afterwards mad cause it happened mad because your own country men start thinking you did it.
I have no idea how many times I have heard this but it gets more powerful every time.
Barbara Park same.. 🙌🏾
Same. That is its power.
and another 9 yrs on, how many times I've listened to this, and it resonates more than ever. I hope peace comes to everyone soon
17 years ago and still relevant today. Beautiful
Circling this back around. Just as powerful then as it is now. Thank you for sharing ❤️
I read this beautiful poem in my English class and I’m so happy we got to see her point of view. It makes me sad how Muslim majority countries are suffering even though the innocent women, men, and children had nothing to do with the 9/11 events😞
"I've read too many books to believe what I'm told."
best quote ever.
i love this poem.
i nearly cried when i watched it the first time.
all i gotta say in response is: word.
Sending so much energy and Love to our Africans Americans ALL OVER THE WORLD. Gaza my heart still is bleeding for you all.
"Affirm life. Affirm life. We got to carry each other now. You are either with life, or against it. Affirm life."
I'm always speechless when I finish watching this. Always tearful.
Her poetry is strong and true. It blows me away every time...and she pointed out things I never really realized. AMAZING.
One of my favourite Spoken Words pieces. I always tear up, I've watched it so many times. It's so beautiful!
Never teared up from a poem until I saw this
years after she first spoke this, I still visit it for a deep breathe of real
This piece hits harder now more than ever
Pain is poetry love is hurt, tears are a live, but here to see it alive & breathing. My heart touches on this piece with a right fist of steel in the air. If you don't feel this, ur not alive. Mad props to that woman, undisputed talent within u girl! Keep on keepin on!!!
So passionate and so truthful, that was beyond amazing.
These words are so touching that they have spread around the world. I am in USA and my dear little brother from Morocco shared them with me. I am sure that your words have even touched GOD. May he rain blessings upon you!
She spoke this in truth and this is 18 years ago
This was absolutely amazing, the tears welling in my eyes have no reason to lie.
words can be so powerful and she knows how to do it. It made me cry.
And I don't think people should hate on her. She's expressing something inside her the only way she knows how. And I think it's brilliant and it's a gift few of us have.
my god... sometimes you dont realise just how powerful words are until you hear them used like this... amazing
she is soo beautful and her words were touching.. and the smile at the end .. sigh.. she won my heart
"you are either with life or against it" sooo damn true!!!!!!!!!!!!
this brought tears to my eyes she is so right. we need to seek truth, peace and justice. not look at things for what we think they are, but for what they truely are. not be quick to judge and accuse.
This poem made an impact on my life. Suheir Hammad might not ever know, but I'm thankful. Affirm life!!!!
"I cried when I saw those buildings collapse like a broken heart..." god... soooo gooooooood
She never fails to make me cry. Goodness, that was beautiful.
I'm balling. That ripped my heart out. Why is it painful poetry is the most beautiful?
this made my heart swell so much cause we are all human beings no matter what race we are a bad person bears no color you cant blame the innocent of one mans actions in this world...love this so much had to cry with her words..She has 2 brothers in the Navy in the US and i honor them both,,thak you my brothers for you service..God Bless you all...xoxo
TAKBEER, Mashallah very very nice words of a wise lady to describe her brothers in a poem and show the affection of her poem on stage in front of audiance. inshallah allah gives her the baracha.
Amazing!!!!Deep stuff...i'm a muslim woman so i can relate 2 this..masha Allah
I'm speechless at the power of this woman's words. WOW
I cried at the truth, and smiled through my tears at the hope, in her poem. Wow. Just wow.
I love this poem... More I love that there are no ignorant comments. good things only last so long in this life
This is such a moving piece. First Writing Since is still relevant in 2010! That is awesome writing. Thank you for posting this and Suheir is blessed that this was able to come through so loud and so clear.
Still one of the best I've ever seen
this is the kind of poetry that people need to be hearing these days. it should be spread far and wide. ignorance and apathy are killing society.
'and not way his soul down'....i cried when she said that....
Your words speak truth, a truth that pierces through all darkness! Please keep speaking ... your words rain freedom!
Wow. How words make us feel. She brought me back to that day. Very powerful.
Truly beautiful. I love the way she reads it. You can hear the rhythm in her voice.
speech, poetry ... how ever you want to corral it I loved it. Truth and beauty.... sigh. thank you for posting it.
Among the best poems I've ever heard
Years later the same cycle has cycled. I can agree we have progressed and have more advantages, but as a society we are still struggling. Beyond beautiful poem.
i was touched,
never have i herd such powerful truth.
thank you for this.
ive seen it over 4 times now .. i love it ..
shes good
i felt chills running down my spine, tears falling down my cheeks.
affirm life.
This girl is so beatiful. Shes a genius
i love suheir hammad. she's just amazing. so elocuent.
Powerful. I was deeply moved by that. I hope there is light at the end of this tunnel.
crying so hard right now. this is beautiful.
in one word beatuiful
Bitter sweet word of pasion and pain my eye cry as you cry my love goes out 4 you
this poem is priceless i always shed a tear because it reminds me of the poor innocent women and children dying in palestine and this poem shows that islam only represent peace
manshallah for her for being so honest
thank u suheir i hope god be with u and keep u strong and beautiful. you speak the truth from your hart. and u let people know about what is gowing on in middle east we love you .MASHALLAH
(3:19) I've read TOO MANY BOOKS to believe what I'm told!
You are either with Life or against it. Affirm Life!
Loved this poem sweetheart. Very moving!
Thank you for blessing us with wisdom Suheir Hammad.
I love this poem. It is beautiful.
It speaks of truth and pain.
this is one of the best poems i have ever heard
-Her power of wordsx is crazi yo i love it.
God speaks. Tears heal. We should listen. Compassion wins...always.
wow, so you dont need hardcore passion and steel vocals to deliver def poetry. All you need is the words. That was beautiful.
I love this. can listen to it a thousand times.. Beautiful words
omg i am crying. i am! this was so touching so wise so beautiful.
This deserves 100 Million Views
That was brilliant. I was actually moved to tears. Wow.
This should have over a million views by now
I start shaking every time I watch this vid. Amazing.
Wow! Her words are gentle yet powerful! Poem almost brought me to tears. Beautifully written and great performance.
Suheir Hammad=the truth.
love her. love her. love her!
I don't know if Suheir is wathcing the posts but whatever... It felt good to hear something I can relate to... Thank you sister!!
this poem made me fall in love with your work.
this girl is so real. lovin it
the message is WAKE UP!!!!!!! and for all those hating on what the sister said in her poem we will pray for your awakening, like the other comment said, we gotta stop seperating ourselves into categories, we are the HUMAN race..and we got some folks thats abusing their gift of life and oppressing people, we gotta fight that negative energy.... incredible poem, i salute the sister for having the guts to put it out there, peace!!!!!!!
this makes my eyes water. it is so powerful. you go girl.
"And it doesn't even relate to me"
Yet you stayed to comment it
If it doesnt bother you or relate to you...dont watch it
"it doesnt do anything to help the issue" what do u expect fool? it outlines her views and is beautiful poetry
Wow! I watched this in my Communications Class today. Very powerful.
Wow, wow. wonderfully said. I still can't believe this. It's wonderful.
Suheir, you brilliant poet! You always speak so truthly and from the heart-- I love hearing your voice and the passion and humanity in it--
hell yea THATS MY PEOPLE!!! taken the words out of my mouth
she is GREAT!!!!!
Not a single dry eye !! Stunning...
Deep but so true you pick the right place to speak to get that,message out
Deep, deep, deep. It's too bad words so strong and deep, no matter how loud and correct will never be heard or understood by the masses.
she took me on a trip shes real !
M.xmkkr I p00eoii2u32000i364y4aur
not going to lie or b/s anyone
i'm a 20 year old guy
i cry everytime i watch this
Its crazy how timely this is, this many years later
Oh wow. She's amazing.
I completely agree. God bless her.
ive lived in both Texas and currently Toronto
you cant possibly believe that canadians are dimwitted? thats just being naive.
this ladys got a great voice. she spoke from the heart and everyone could feel it
Cuts so deep..........FREE PALESTINE
I keep saying "Stop clapping! I'm trying to hear!"
this is probably the best poem i've heard about those events, and the gov't-sponsered fearmongering that happened afterward.
Hate, racism, self-victimization will dehumanize not only ourselves but everyone that surrounds us as long as we allow it to exist.
"I have never owned pain that needs to spread like that..." damn.
In tears but in love and for life
you are an insperational woman
God be with you.
God help you bring your beautiful words to the world.
wow...amazing i love def poetry jam, great move by Simmons such a good way to express peoples values and views.
shit i cant lie as a arab male hearing this everytime i shed a tear this is what 911 felt afterwards mad cause it happened mad because your own country men start thinking you did it.
Her words are powerful enough
I'm trinidadian too, good way to put it.
Hits even harder today