Brenna Twohy - The Fisherman Takes the Fish Home & Tells Her He Loves Her

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Brenna Twohy, performing at Honey in Minneapolis, MN.
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Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

[@hotchacolate2]

One. A magician talks about the record for holding one's breathe as his assistant lowers herself into a tank of water. And he calls it 22 minutes, but I promise you it's longer. I promise you, it's years.
Two. This is how I remember it. On our first date, he ran his fingertips across my skin like he was reading my palm. When I would fall asleep with my glasses on he slid them off and he cleaned them, and then placed them on my nightstand. Every single time.
Once, I took a sip of wine and I shrugged and I set the glass down on the counter and he poured it down the sink. And then the entire bottle. He said life is too short for bad wine. He said, “you deserve better”.
Three. I love doing magic tricks. I love the way I know the lie from the beginning. I love the way I can see the turn coming.
Four. This is the hardest part. That boy is not made of fists. That boy learned how to braid my hair. And these things do not untruth themselves when the first door slams. And I did not stop loving him all the months I was holding my breath.
And this is the hardest part. The way a fish is still a fish, even after she's been gutted. Even after her lips split clean in half after from hook. And the hook. And the hook...
And do you think the fish blamed herself? And her own stupid, opened mouth?
Do you think the fisherman apologized? Said all he wanted was to hold her. Said I have touched that hook for years and it never once pierced me. Darling, how could I have known?
And do you think the fish forgave him? Said I'm sorry too. I promise I will try harder to breathe outside the water.

[@ellamcdonald-lee2186]

I always love brenna’s poems, this one is no exception.

[@noku3360]

Ella McDonald-Lee same, always leaves me in awe 🥰

[@kenzie9501]

Having endured years in an emotionally then physically abusive relationship... Really hit home.

[@wildgr33n]

I love both version you have of this online, the one thats 3 years older and this one.

[@philemntungwa423]

“ I love doing magic tricks I love knowing the lie from the start” ❤️😭

[@juliea8925]

this is my favorite of her poems. the emotion she has in her voice never fails to give me chills.

[@jordanshaw8752]

this was moving in a way i can't put into words. thank you

[@kaydee8014]

One of my all time favourite poems

[@teagannam]

This poem hits hard. Especially listening to it for the second time (seeing the turns coming).

[@rosieposie2331]

: ( good poetry leaves you feeling the poets emotions 😔 hope she’s swimming free and happy!

[@taran.151]

"I promise I will try harder to breathe outside the water" oof. back to Harry Styles' Adore to quell this sadness lol.

[@Panfolils]

This is my favorite one

[@mayanasir2961]

i have goosebumps. just... wow.

[@paulcastanedaayon4351]

Beautiful poem!

[@nyorp7572]

aaaa i love this version but the first one just hits different

[@Bunny-ei1wx]

God i love her peoms

[@marshagetchell8111]

it hurts

[@freya4764]

❤

[@s.a.m.presents3895]

This poem is phenomenal but I miss the kitchen/food poisoning analogy

[@vixen1173]

Can someone explain this? I mean I get it but I'm not sure if I'm correct

[@MsDragontooth]

I think its about a abusive relationship. First he love bombed her. Was the perfect bf and than he turned into an abuser but she still loved him and apologized after fights. That's the analogy with the fish and the fisherman.

[@omarmabrouk7758]

@@MsDragontooth OMG thanks i understood the metaphors well but i didn't know how to connect them to the reality, i was waiting for her to say a word that explains it but she didn't.

[@ChickpeaVids]

Look up the same poem on TH-cam but under "Write about now". That version is longer and gives more easily understood context to the metaphors. I prefer it to this one, but both are so powerful.

[@lyra1492]

This is what dating a narcissist is like

[@amani.1865]

Harry Styles and the fish

[@livloren1077]

Harry Styles new music video

[@ElectraSirena]

Shivers, put into words so lovely and painfully.