NOTE: Ollie uses gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their). We encourage discussion in the comments, but please respect Ollie's preferred gender pronouns when referring to them.
*Ollie's work is always so brilliant and heartbreaking. They always have a way of making their message so powerful and "understandable" (as much as you can understand someone else's suffering). I just hope they never stop writing and performing poetry :)*
This poem really speaks to me. It is like Ollie went right into my mind. "She doesn't have to leave the theatre during the rape scene, the trigger warning does not apply to her." "My rapist' face is everywhere." Of course I never wish this on anyone, but you wish a certain degree of empathy, not pity. Overall amazing.
5 years later and this poem still has my all time favourite quote "this conversation is not an easy one. but easy and worthwhile are not synonyms" wow.
This moved me, not just because it was so powerful but because I was once where Ollie is now. I was that survivor still trying to work through the trauma. You will get there, keep believing that, and know that you are strong.
I love the way that Ollie reads. Their voice is beautiful, with just the right amount of texture and rasp. The way that they give off so much genuine emotion… You live Ollie's poem with them.
I absolutely love their passion. In every one of Ollie's poems, eyes are opened to different sides of issues we hear every day. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to relate all the time to my husband, but they definitely put it in perspective: being able to relate is not the same as understanding. Sometimes you want to relate to what hurts your lover, but you won't be able to. The understanding Ollie has with their partner is beautiful, and many couples could benefit from this kind of sentiment. Bravo, Ollie, and thank you.
This is by far my favourite poem ever. I love the power and strength in their voice as well as their message. This means so much to me as I can relate and understand what they are going through and has went through. I am proud of them for their bravery to speak, step, and stand out. ❤️ I watch this whenever I’m struggling and it always helps me. Thank you, Ollie.
Ollie's poems are often the only thing that keep me sane. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Their poems deserve a lot more attention honestly.
Ollie's poetry is ALWAYS AMAZING! That is the only word I can think of to even remotely describe their work, simply amazing. They just have such a way with words that evokes an emotional response! Ollie, you are one kick ass person!
for some reason i always find myself gravitating towards this poem. just want to give credit where it is due and express how much i think they did at great job with this piece. THANK YOU for giving it to us.
"And I could just collapse and know the silence is not an easy one." Damn Ollie you blow me away every time. I cannot describe what it feels like to listen to this poem and understand how they're feeling. Ollie, you are an inspiration
Absolutely incredible.... You have put words to what I have never been able to say, thought me about a language I didn't even know I was speaking, and brought clarity to a tragedy that too many of us have to experience. You are incredible.
Ollie you have showed me that not every single human is not the same. We all have different Ts. My friend Sally introduced me to you and wow am I glad.
NOTE: Ollie uses gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their). We encourage discussion in the comments, but please respect Ollie's preferred gender pronouns when referring to them.
Closet Time it literally says in the comment you're replying to: them.
the microphone makes the shape of a tie on their shirt and it really completes the look
eatyosalads it really does😂😂
Wait I've thought it was a tie the whole time
"My life is a shitty job that she's never been poor enough to have to keep" my gosh, yes.
Wooooooooo that line was SICK!
"I don't need her to be sorry, I just need her to be listening".... perfect
"It is so easy to talk about what a shame it is when you've never had to feel ashamed of claiming the word survivor."
"I have cried so often in my life that it is no longer exciting or dangerous" Yasss Ollie. You get me so much it's scary!
"Suffering is not a contest."
Feels game too strong
yesss
*Ollie's work is always so brilliant and heartbreaking. They always have a way of making their message so powerful and "understandable" (as much as you can understand someone else's suffering). I just hope they never stop writing and performing poetry :)*
Ollie is one of my absolute favorite poets OF ALL TIME. So amazing.
God, Ollie's poetry always astounds me. They're really incredible.
Also, extreme respect for Button Poetry for commenting their preferred pronouns, seriously. Props, dudes.
Thank you so much for this. I remember and it happened 45 years ago!!!! 45!!!
"how do I tell her that sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing?"
couldn't have said it better myself.
"How do I explain to her that sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing?"
Ollie is amazing and absolutely love all of their work.
I'm so glad the comments section is supportive. This is a really tough thing to talk about. Great poem, Ollie.
This poem really speaks to me. It is like Ollie went right into my mind. "She doesn't have to leave the theatre during the rape scene, the trigger warning does not apply to her." "My rapist' face is everywhere." Of course I never wish this on anyone, but you wish a certain degree of empathy, not pity. Overall amazing.
Each line more quotable and powerful than the next.
5 years later and this poem still has my all time favourite quote "this conversation is not an easy one. but easy and worthwhile are not synonyms" wow.
I love their poems so much.
This moved me, not just because it was so powerful but because I was once where Ollie is now. I was that survivor still trying to work through the trauma. You will get there, keep believing that, and know that you are strong.
Ive watched this probably at least 50 times and I still cry every time I do. They are such a beautiful poet.
I love the way that Ollie reads. Their voice is beautiful, with just the right amount of texture and rasp. The way that they give off so much genuine emotion… You live Ollie's poem with them.
Ollie is such a beautiful person, their words have such a catch, so raw, so real.
They're so brave for writing this. The rawness and pain and love is inspiring. Ollie, just wow.
I absolutely love their passion. In every one of Ollie's poems, eyes are opened to different sides of issues we hear every day. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to relate all the time to my husband, but they definitely put it in perspective: being able to relate is not the same as understanding. Sometimes you want to relate to what hurts your lover, but you won't be able to. The understanding Ollie has with their partner is beautiful, and many couples could benefit from this kind of sentiment. Bravo, Ollie, and thank you.
Ollie speaks so powerfully, their words left me crying.
They are such an amazing poet they give me chills every time
Ollies poems are a great example of how powerful words can be. They always leave me speechless.
Hands down one of the best poems I've ever heard. Their way with words was incredible.
This actually made me cry. I relate to it so much and it's so validating to hear these thoughts put into words and spoken so well.
I don't think I'll ever forget this poem
This is by far my favourite poem ever. I love the power and strength in their voice as well as their message. This means so much to me as I can relate and understand what they are going through and has went through. I am proud of them for their bravery to speak, step, and stand out. ❤️ I watch this whenever I’m struggling and it always helps me. Thank you, Ollie.
Olli, if you read this, i just wanted to say i feel that way too. thank you. lots of hugs.
Ollie's poems are often the only thing that keep me sane. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Their poems deserve a lot more attention honestly.
Ollie's poems will forever by favorites. They never fail to amaze me, to make me shiver and feel.
Ollie's poetry is ALWAYS AMAZING! That is the only word I can think of to even remotely describe their work, simply amazing. They just have such a way with words that evokes an emotional response! Ollie, you are one kick ass person!
They're just so damn good at conveying how a moment feels.
for some reason i always find myself gravitating towards this poem. just want to give credit where it is due and express how much i think they did at great job with this piece. THANK YOU for giving it to us.
Ollie.. How do you always make me cry..?! ❤
Ollie is amazing, absolutely adore their words
Oh my god I love their poems.
"And I could just collapse and know the silence is not an easy one." Damn Ollie you blow me away every time. I cannot describe what it feels like to listen to this poem and understand how they're feeling. Ollie, you are an inspiration
favorite line: "but my life is a shitty job she has never been poor enough to have to keep."
This moved me so much I'm crying.
I may not have gone through what they are saying but I started to cry because I could feel the emotion in myself so I thank you for this
Ollie... You've stunned me again with your words. Thank you. And thank you Button Poetry for sharing them!
Ollie's poetry is always so incredible
Absolutely incredible.... You have put words to what I have never been able to say, thought me about a language I didn't even know I was speaking, and brought clarity to a tragedy that too many of us have to experience. You are incredible.
ollie's poetry is so beautiful. i love their work it's so amazing i feel a strong connection with every one of their words. bless ya ollie.
Ollie's work is definitely at the top of my favorites list.
Really tough stuff. I'm looking into more videos and their poetry is really fantastic and thought-provoking. Great stuff!
Ollie is one of my favorites.. everything they say is so raw and powerful.
"pity: the emotion that feasts while it talks about the starving" is a line i still think about, holy shit
"sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing." kills me.
I am sobbing in the college library.
My friend introduced me to Ollie and I'm obsessed, they're so powerful in how they speak.
That was FANTASTIC.
Ollie you have showed me that not every single human is not the same. We all have different Ts. My friend Sally introduced me to you and wow am I glad.
i really enjoyed how this poem kinda had a 'happy ending' :)
That poem was so beautiful, so raw, and so important. Ollie's truly amazing.
i can't get over how powerful this is
This brought tears to my eyes, Ollie's poems are powerful and I love listening to them.
I love Ollie. Their poems are...amazing.
Ollie is so amazing, I felt every moment of this piece.
Ollie will always be my favorite.
I love all of their poems but this one speaks to me on a whole another level and i can't stop thinking abut it.
woah. WOAH. I’ve never related to a poem more.
I adore there work ollie is so talented I cant express how much this poem helped me come to terms with what happened to me.
I've never related to something so hard, Ollie thank you for making me feel alittle less alone.
Ollie is honestly amazing, i love their poems so, so much. and i really connect to this one.
One of the best poems I've heard in a long time
Ollie is by far my favorite poet :)
I love Ollie so much, their poems are so amazing
ollie always writes such beautiful poems
This is truly amazing Ollie you are one of my favourites
THIS IS AMAZING I'M CRYIN'
Ollie has saved my life more than once
Wow... Oh wow...
Awesome, just awesome.
Thank you.
Wow. Such an absolutely incredible poem. Well done Ollie
This is so powerful. And all too relatable
So powerful.
Love you Ollie
Interesting and thoughtful! Thank you!!
so brave and strong , and powerful. Thank you for sharing .
I adore Ollie's words
Thank you, Ollie. This is beautiful.
I do not need her to be sorry , I just her to be listening
This is so so relatable. wow.
Fantastic.
"loving someone means inventing your own language"
omg i love these poems
Wow so powerful
Ollie is my favourite ❤️
I absolutely love her...
This is so beautiful :')
This was so sad and beautifully done 👏
I love Ollie!
such an amazing poet
It's like Ollie sucked all of my memories out of my brain to write this poem. Holy shit.
This poem gives me hope that I can one day find someone to deal with me when I am reliving my sexual trauma
I'm crying...