This is one of the most impactful poems I’ve ever listened to. I have come back to this poem again and again over the years. Just thought you’d like to know. Sending love.
"...And I'm left with nothing but two eyes that refuse to close for fear of what they might dream." "And Jackie smiles, the saddest face I've ever seen, and disappears into his work."
I am so shook right now. I have been looking for this video nearly as long as it's been up. Maybe I saw it here on your channel, or maybe it was a re-eupload, or from a different performance. I'm not sure why it took me so long. Now I find not only this poetry I've been searching for, but I also find it's from a poet I've really come to respect. You're sooo damn good.
I'm glad that the internet gives a place that a poet with a mind for his actions and inaction can take ammunition in the for of words and use it ,like so many a Blockbuster hero, to ignite the explosives of creativity and concern. Thank you sir for showing me more than what my eyes can see.
That's a terrible outlook on life. Yours must suck. What good is the gift of joy if you have no perspective on the opposite, such as yourself. Your bitching about work when you have no concept of what it's like to go morning to night failing to feed your children let alone yourself. How was your McDonald's this week?
I just watched this on upworthy. it brought tears to my eyes. My mom has always done lower class work, and I myself am a single mom with a factory job. Really makes me want to go to college. Youre a wonderful person. I hope you go far in life :)
I get it. I get everything you're saying... I just wish that there was... a solution, you know? Why is a person telling the truth about the twisted human social order (that some people are born as slaves to their "betters") something that only gets 599 likes? How horrible are we as human beings to let that happen? Why have I only heard this now, three years after its initial telling...when things like this have been happening since the dawn of humanity?
THE CREAIVE IS TH ONE WORD THAR PROPELS THE SOUL. ARCONS ONLY WISH, ROB AND KILL FOR THIS FORCE BECAUSE THE DO NOT POSESS IT. THEIR SOUL DOES NOT EXIST, ONLY LIES AND CONTROLL
I’m a Jackie and this guy does have delusions of grandeur, there is no more honour than being a pawn, the height of arrogance is thinking you’re special to the world
Amazing talented writer. That being said. Quit with the winey first world complaining. Can't do a days work to support yourself while most of the world struggles to feed their children daily?
This is one of the most impactful poems I’ve ever listened to. I have come back to this poem again and again over the years. Just thought you’d like to know. Sending love.
Me too
"...And I'm left with nothing but two eyes that refuse to close for fear of what they might dream."
"And Jackie smiles, the saddest face I've ever seen, and disappears into his work."
Outstanding. What a 360 degree perspective on the plight and glory of the working man.
This brought tears to my eyes. The power of words, right? Thanks to Upworthy for bringing me here.
I am so shook right now. I have been looking for this video nearly as long as it's been up. Maybe I saw it here on your channel, or maybe it was a re-eupload, or from a different performance. I'm not sure why it took me so long. Now I find not only this poetry I've been searching for, but I also find it's from a poet I've really come to respect. You're sooo damn good.
that's great to hear- thank you!
I'm glad that the internet gives a place that a poet with a mind for his actions and inaction can take ammunition in the for of words and use it ,like so many a Blockbuster hero, to ignite the explosives of creativity and concern. Thank you sir for showing me more than what my eyes can see.
"dutifully preparing a grand feast for a God who will never be hungry. " "dutifully wiping my reflection from the glass." I LOVE YOUR WORDS.
and if there's a god
he's cold as winter
and never in danger.
That's a terrible outlook on life. Yours must suck. What good is the gift of joy if you have no perspective on the opposite, such as yourself. Your bitching about work when you have no concept of what it's like to go morning to night failing to feed your children let alone yourself. How was your McDonald's this week?
I've watched and listened to these words hundreds of times. Its always like that first time!
ive been watching a few of these, and they always start off good, but near the end hit you so hard with the truth it hurts.
Oh my. Deserves a lot more recognition. Loved it.
I just watched this on upworthy. it brought tears to my eyes. My mom has always done lower class work, and I myself am a single mom with a factory job. Really makes me want to go to college. Youre a wonderful person. I hope you go far in life :)
From 1:24-1:54 he magnificently captures a feeling I've had before and struggled to put in words...this is ingenius
I Watch All Your Spoken Word Videos At Least Once A Week..
It Give Me The Strength To See I'm Not The Only One Struggling ✌
This is unbelievably awesome!
Everything about this is beautiful.
shivers running down my back at certain times
This is an absolutely brilliant poem!
This is simply amazing.
POWERFUL GUANTE.
You RULE my Brother.
my eyes are watering...
"Sacrificed for a cause we don't even understand"
Awesome
Straight up truth!!!
Wow.
you rock.
WOW!
this is Deep!
great job man.
Favorite piece is the pawn that became a knight.
Daaaaaaamn.
G7 pawn ta knight ta King. Checkmate. ❤️✨🎶
but you forgot one thing, when pawn reaches the other side it becomes a queen.
@3:04-3:14 he mentions it as well as the improbability to survive long enough to reach that goal.
Ah yes. The "American Dream". Got any castles yet?
Spoken word is easy to screw up, and it often ends up being terrible. This is clearly not one of those. Wonderful performance.
slayyyy
I get it. I get everything you're saying... I just wish that there was... a solution, you know? Why is a person telling the truth about the twisted human social order (that some people are born as slaves to their "betters") something that only gets 599 likes? How horrible are we as human beings to let that happen? Why have I only heard this now, three years after its initial telling...when things like this have been happening since the dawn of humanity?
there is a solution. anfo. smash the state.
THE CREAIVE IS TH ONE WORD THAR PROPELS THE SOUL. ARCONS ONLY WISH, ROB AND KILL FOR THIS FORCE BECAUSE THE DO NOT POSESS IT. THEIR SOUL DOES NOT EXIST, ONLY LIES AND CONTROLL
I’m a Jackie and this guy does have delusions of grandeur, there is no more honour than being a pawn, the height of arrogance is thinking you’re special to the world
I think you're special :)
Jonathan smiles, saddest face I've ever seen.
Amazing talented writer. That being said. Quit with the winey first world complaining. Can't do a days work to support yourself while most of the world struggles to feed their children daily?