so hi can you hear me I can’t there’s a bright light in my face so it’s good for
bright light in my face so it’s good for
bright light in my face so it’s good for me that I can’t see any of you right now
me that I can’t see any of you right now
me that I can’t see any of you right now I’m so incredibly incredibly blessed to
I’m so incredibly incredibly blessed to
I’m so incredibly incredibly blessed to be part of this this event I’m so glad
be part of this this event I’m so glad
be part of this this event I’m so glad I’m so thankful to Prague II I don’t
I’m so thankful to Prague II I don’t
I’m so thankful to Prague II I don’t know where you are but thank you for
know where you are but thank you for
know where you are but thank you for bringing me and bringing us and putting
bringing me and bringing us and putting
bringing me and bringing us and putting us and down and putting us all on the
us and down and putting us all on the
us and down and putting us all on the same stage together I’m really not good
same stage together I’m really not good
same stage together I’m really not good with introductions I’m a poet I can talk
with introductions I’m a poet I can talk
with introductions I’m a poet I can talk about big things I’m not good with
about big things I’m not good with
about big things I’m not good with talking about myself I kind of feel like
talking about myself I kind of feel like
talking about myself I kind of feel like sometimes it’s like a job interview and
sometimes it’s like a job interview and
sometimes it’s like a job interview and for those of you that didn’t or the
for those of you that didn’t or the
for those of you that didn’t or the misfortune of being on the receiving end
misfortune of being on the receiving end
misfortune of being on the receiving end when you go into a job interview it’s
when you go into a job interview it’s
when you go into a job interview it’s kind of like you’re in an interrogation
kind of like you’re in an interrogation
kind of like you’re in an interrogation room and a cop TV show and so they sit
room and a cop TV show and so they sit
room and a cop TV show and so they sit you down there’s usually a bright light
you down there’s usually a bright light
you down there’s usually a bright light and they go like so tell me about
and they go like so tell me about
and they go like so tell me about yourself where do you see yourself in
yourself where do you see yourself in
yourself where do you see yourself in five years and I’m and I’m always there
five years and I’m and I’m always there
five years and I’m and I’m always there and I’m like ah say something smart
and I’m like ah say something smart
and I’m like ah say something smart say something smart say something smart
say something smart say something smart
say something smart say something smart and I said I’ll say something like oh
and I said I’ll say something like oh
and I said I’ll say something like oh well I’m Ephram you know I’m from I’m
well I’m Ephram you know I’m from I’m
well I’m Ephram you know I’m from I’m from Dubai I speak English Arabic fluent
from Dubai I speak English Arabic fluent
from Dubai I speak English Arabic fluent or Kasim you know the regulars I you
or Kasim you know the regulars I you
or Kasim you know the regulars I you know I’m very I’m very sarcastic I’m a
know I’m very I’m very sarcastic I’m a
know I’m very I’m very sarcastic I’m a poet
poet
poet I’m as Hasse as a human being first I
I’m as Hasse as a human being first I
I’m as Hasse as a human being first I learnt to I couldn’t tell time on a
learnt to I couldn’t tell time on a
learnt to I couldn’t tell time on a watch with numbers until I was 20 I
watch with numbers until I was 20 I
watch with numbers until I was 20 I didn’t learn how to tie my shoes until I
didn’t learn how to tie my shoes until I
didn’t learn how to tie my shoes until I was five when I went through school they
was five when I went through school they
was five when I went through school they told me that I was unteachable they
told me that I was unteachable they
told me that I was unteachable they literally told me that they couldn’t
literally told me that they couldn’t
literally told me that they couldn’t teach me and that there was no point and
teach me and that there was no point and
teach me and that there was no point and and they’d filled my head with those
and they’d filled my head with those
and they’d filled my head with those kinds of things and sometimes I answer
kinds of things and sometimes I answer
kinds of things and sometimes I answer questions with way too many with way too
questions with way too many with way too
questions with way too many with way too many would wait way too much information
many would wait way too much information
many would wait way too much information so that’s basically how my job
so that’s basically how my job
so that’s basically how my job interviews go so there’s gonna be a lot
interviews go so there’s gonna be a lot
interviews go so there’s gonna be a lot of different random things so I hope
of different random things so I hope
of different random things so I hope that you will indulge me I am so glad to
that you will indulge me I am so glad to
that you will indulge me I am so glad to be here and I’m actually I like stuff
be here and I’m actually I like stuff
be here and I’m actually I like stuff we’ll have issues with memorizing so I’m
we’ll have issues with memorizing so I’m
we’ll have issues with memorizing so I’m actually feeling the love today I’ve
actually feeling the love today I’ve
actually feeling the love today I’ve been it’s been such a warm welcome it’s
been it’s been such a warm welcome it’s
been it’s been such a warm welcome it’s been such a good event and I’m feeling
been such a good event and I’m feeling
been such a good event and I’m feeling the love so the first poem I’m gonna do
the love so the first poem I’m gonna do
the love so the first poem I’m gonna do for you
for you
for you gonna be a love poem so if you like it
gonna be a love poem so if you like it
gonna be a love poem so if you like it I’m gonna need your energy performance
I’m gonna need your energy performance
I’m gonna need your energy performance poetry is different than regular poetry
poetry is different than regular poetry
poetry is different than regular poetry so I’m gonna need your energy so give me
so I’m gonna need your energy so give me
so I’m gonna need your energy so give me some energy I am going to do a love poem
some energy I am going to do a love poem
some energy I am going to do a love poem I’ve only ever written one love poem in
I’ve only ever written one love poem in
I’ve only ever written one love poem in my life and this is it it’s very
my life and this is it it’s very
my life and this is it it’s very personal
personal
personal so if you like it snap if you love it
so if you like it snap if you love it
so if you like it snap if you love it clop if you relate to it you know scream
clop if you relate to it you know scream
clop if you relate to it you know scream or yell or do whatever you know stomp
or yell or do whatever you know stomp
or yell or do whatever you know stomp your feet do whatever you need to do but
your feet do whatever you need to do but
your feet do whatever you need to do but this is me sharing a part of my heart
this is me sharing a part of my heart
this is me sharing a part of my heart with you guys this is my my love poem
ready deer food I can’t get enough of
ready deer food I can’t get enough of you I love the way you melts every time
you I love the way you melts every time
you I love the way you melts every time you see me I love the way you love me i
you see me I love the way you love me i
you see me I love the way you love me i love the way you don’t judge me after a
love the way you don’t judge me after a
love the way you don’t judge me after a long day at work and i don’t want to
long day at work and i don’t want to
long day at work and i don’t want to talk you know just the right flavor stay
talk you know just the right flavor stay
talk you know just the right flavor stay at the spot you make me want to leave
at the spot you make me want to leave
at the spot you make me want to leave everything that is saying and abandon
everything that is saying and abandon
everything that is saying and abandon all rationality to your food you make me
all rationality to your food you make me
all rationality to your food you make me realize that my dream job is being a
realize that my dream job is being a
realize that my dream job is being a taste tester in the Test Kitchen on the
taste tester in the Test Kitchen on the
taste tester in the Test Kitchen on the Food Network you make me yes as in
Food Network you make me yes as in
Food Network you make me yes as in Ronald McDonald doesn’t all have the
Ronald McDonald doesn’t all have the
Ronald McDonald doesn’t all have the McChicken with extra cheese and please
McChicken with extra cheese and please
McChicken with extra cheese and please don’t skimp on the fries your food you
don’t skimp on the fries your food you
don’t skimp on the fries your food you are the addiction I can’t possibly deny
are the addiction I can’t possibly deny
are the addiction I can’t possibly deny spinning vortex of doom that makes me
spinning vortex of doom that makes me
spinning vortex of doom that makes me look forward to the ride deer food I
look forward to the ride deer food I
look forward to the ride deer food I know nobody’s perfect but deer food I
know nobody’s perfect but deer food I
know nobody’s perfect but deer food I kind of wish you didn’t make me fat
kind of wish you didn’t make me fat
kind of wish you didn’t make me fat your food I tried on my jeans last night
your food I tried on my jeans last night
your food I tried on my jeans last night but I couldn’t close this if where I
but I couldn’t close this if where I
but I couldn’t close this if where I jumped up and down but they only got
jumped up and down but they only got
jumped up and down but they only got tighter I sucked in my gut so I felt
tighter I sucked in my gut so I felt
tighter I sucked in my gut so I felt like my stomach was touching my back it
like my stomach was touching my back it
like my stomach was touching my back it did not work your food I’m now seeing
did not work your food I’m now seeing
did not work your food I’m now seeing your effect on me deer food they said I
your effect on me deer food they said I
your effect on me deer food they said I should try low-fat cheese on brown bread
should try low-fat cheese on brown bread
should try low-fat cheese on brown bread I tried out once but I couldn’t get past
I tried out once but I couldn’t get past
I tried out once but I couldn’t get past this smell so I put it down and ate a
this smell so I put it down and ate a
this smell so I put it down and ate a brownie instead deer food you’re my
brownie instead deer food you’re my
brownie instead deer food you’re my bestest best friend you’ve seen me and
bestest best friend you’ve seen me and
bestest best friend you’ve seen me and like worse but still greet me with open
like worse but still greet me with open
like worse but still greet me with open arms in the end your food
arms in the end your food
arms in the end your food forget the jeans I think it’s time to
forget the jeans I think it’s time to
forget the jeans I think it’s time to wear dresses your food I I want to cover
wear dresses your food I I want to cover
wear dresses your food I I want to cover all the mirrors in the house because I
all the mirrors in the house because I
all the mirrors in the house because I can’t stand looking at myself and their
can’t stand looking at myself and their
can’t stand looking at myself and their food three flights of stairs got the
food three flights of stairs got the
food three flights of stairs got the best of me and the models are staring at
best of me and the models are staring at
best of me and the models are staring at me and magazines deer food it’s not you
me and magazines deer food it’s not you
me and magazines deer food it’s not you it’s me deer food we need to
it’s me deer food we need to
it’s me deer food we need to your food I hope we can still be friends
your food I hope we can still be friends
your food I hope we can still be friends dear food I miss the me that I was when
dear food I miss the me that I was when
dear food I miss the me that I was when we were together dear food sometimes
we were together dear food sometimes
we were together dear food sometimes sometimes it still hurts to think about
sometimes it still hurts to think about
sometimes it still hurts to think about you sometimes I wish the longing would
you sometimes I wish the longing would
you sometimes I wish the longing would stop sometimes billboards make me sad
stop sometimes billboards make me sad
stop sometimes billboards make me sad your food I think we should stop seeing
your food I think we should stop seeing
your food I think we should stop seeing each other in your food I forget why I’m
each other in your food I forget why I’m
each other in your food I forget why I’m writing this and now I want to sandwich
writing this and now I want to sandwich
writing this and now I want to sandwich preferably fried and served with cheese
preferably fried and served with cheese
preferably fried and served with cheese dear food I think we’re done but you’ll
dear food I think we’re done but you’ll
dear food I think we’re done but you’ll always have a special place in my heart
always have a special place in my heart
always have a special place in my heart dear food have you been it’s been nearly
dear food have you been it’s been nearly
dear food have you been it’s been nearly six months thirteen and a half kilos
six months thirteen and a half kilos
six months thirteen and a half kilos later three flights of stairs are
later three flights of stairs are
later three flights of stairs are nothing dear food I still I still miss
nothing dear food I still I still miss
nothing dear food I still I still miss you like crazy dear food but I know we
you like crazy dear food but I know we
you like crazy dear food but I know we were meant to part ways dear food I
were meant to part ways dear food I
were meant to part ways dear food I still I still love you your food I could
still I still love you your food I could
still I still love you your food I could never love you not at least as much as I
never love you not at least as much as I
never love you not at least as much as I love myself dear food this is my last
love myself dear food this is my last
love myself dear food this is my last song this is my golden goal after
song this is my golden goal after
song this is my golden goal after extra-time dear food I guess this is
extra-time dear food I guess this is
extra-time dear food I guess this is quite ok in case anyone is wondering
quite ok in case anyone is wondering
quite ok in case anyone is wondering food and I go back together we talked
food and I go back together we talked
food and I go back together we talked about our issues we got back together
about our issues we got back together
about our issues we got back together and we’re doing we’re doing really well
and we’re doing we’re doing really well
and we’re doing we’re doing really well and we’ve decided that the diet has no
and we’ve decided that the diet has no
and we’ve decided that the diet has no place in our lives so we’re doing we’re
place in our lives so we’re doing we’re
place in our lives so we’re doing we’re doing really really well but the point
doing really really well but the point
doing really really well but the point the point that I want to make is that
the point that I want to make is that
the point that I want to make is that with when I started doing poetry which
with when I started doing poetry which
with when I started doing poetry which was a very long time ago when I started
was a very long time ago when I started
was a very long time ago when I started I started writing about big things I
I started writing about big things I
I started writing about big things I mean I was talking about you know the
mean I was talking about you know the
mean I was talking about you know the global situation I was talking about you
global situation I was talking about you
global situation I was talking about you know it’s food it’s as universal as it
know it’s food it’s as universal as it
know it’s food it’s as universal as it gets right and and I started talking
gets right and and I started talking
gets right and and I started talking about all of the big things and I
about all of the big things and I
about all of the big things and I started doing competitive poetry slams
started doing competitive poetry slams
started doing competitive poetry slams and I used to write the poems that
and I used to write the poems that
and I used to write the poems that people wanted to hear and I used to
people wanted to hear and I used to
people wanted to hear and I used to write the poems that I thought people I
write the poems that I thought people I
write the poems that I thought people I thought would score high and I thought
thought would score high and I thought
thought would score high and I thought that people would like and it was really
that people would like and it was really
that people would like and it was really it was really eye-opening because when
it was really eye-opening because when
it was really eye-opening because when you write something for an audience you
you write something for an audience you
you write something for an audience you have to remember not to lose yourself
have to remember not to lose yourself
have to remember not to lose yourself and so the next poem I want to share
and so the next poem I want to share
and so the next poem I want to share with you is about is about that it’s not
with you is about is about that it’s not
with you is about is about that it’s not as funny but you know it’s it’s good
as funny but you know it’s it’s good
as funny but you know it’s it’s good it’s called um I wrote the poems
it’s called um I wrote the poems
it’s called um I wrote the poems I wrote the poems they wanted me to
I wrote the poems they wanted me to
I wrote the poems they wanted me to write said the things they wanted me to
write said the things they wanted me to
write said the things they wanted me to say still they told me it wasn’t enough
say still they told me it wasn’t enough
say still they told me it wasn’t enough I swallowed their comments but my words
I swallowed their comments but my words
I swallowed their comments but my words are wedged in my windpipe dancing down
are wedged in my windpipe dancing down
are wedged in my windpipe dancing down through my chest now filled with flowers
through my chest now filled with flowers
through my chest now filled with flowers from the funeral of my words that nobody
from the funeral of my words that nobody
from the funeral of my words that nobody attended this garden of poems that no
attended this garden of poems that no
attended this garden of poems that no one attends to his magic between my rib
one attends to his magic between my rib
one attends to his magic between my rib cage
cage
cage it is rhythm and swaying at his equal
it is rhythm and swaying at his equal
it is rhythm and swaying at his equal parts miracle and reminder that there is
parts miracle and reminder that there is
parts miracle and reminder that there is beauty and Shatter there can be life and
beauty and Shatter there can be life and
beauty and Shatter there can be life and destruction look can you see the
destruction look can you see the
destruction look can you see the songbirds resting in a nest of all that
songbirds resting in a nest of all that
songbirds resting in a nest of all that was left unsaid can you hear the poem
was left unsaid can you hear the poem
was left unsaid can you hear the poem inside my treasure chest heart sometimes
inside my treasure chest heart sometimes
inside my treasure chest heart sometimes our greatest victories come out of
our greatest victories come out of
our greatest victories come out of loudest silence and so I wrote yeah
loudest silence and so I wrote yeah
loudest silence and so I wrote yeah that’s that’s the end of the poem in
that’s that’s the end of the poem in
that’s that’s the end of the poem in case anyone’s wondering III wrote the
case anyone’s wondering III wrote the
case anyone’s wondering III wrote the poems and as I look back I think okay
poems and as I look back I think okay
poems and as I look back I think okay these are great poems but where is Afra
these are great poems but where is Afra
these are great poems but where is Afra where are you in this and I think it has
where are you in this and I think it has
where are you in this and I think it has to be very conscious as an artist and as
to be very conscious as an artist and as
to be very conscious as an artist and as a poet you have to be very conscious of
a poet you have to be very conscious of
a poet you have to be very conscious of who you are what you’re projecting and
who you are what you’re projecting and
who you are what you’re projecting and you need to not lose your voice you need
you need to not lose your voice you need
you need to not lose your voice you need to find your voice and go after it and
to find your voice and go after it and
to find your voice and go after it and so I started exploring my identity I’m
so I started exploring my identity I’m
so I started exploring my identity I’m glad that so many speakers before me
glad that so many speakers before me
glad that so many speakers before me we’re talking about identity because
we’re talking about identity because
we’re talking about identity because it’s incredibly important and I started
it’s incredibly important and I started
it’s incredibly important and I started to really realize who I was and who I
to really realize who I was and who I
to really realize who I was and who I was as a poet who I was as an artist who
was as a poet who I was as an artist who
was as a poet who I was as an artist who I was as a person and so I always tell
I was as a person and so I always tell
I was as a person and so I always tell people I get asked three questions the
people I get asked three questions the
people I get asked three questions the first of which is what are we having for
first of which is what are we having for
first of which is what are we having for lunch or dinner depending on the time
lunch or dinner depending on the time
lunch or dinner depending on the time the second question I get asked is afro
the second question I get asked is afro
the second question I get asked is afro why aren’t you married yet and why
why aren’t you married yet and why
why aren’t you married yet and why aren’t you worried that you’re not
aren’t you worried that you’re not
aren’t you worried that you’re not married and I refer them also to my
married and I refer them also to my
married and I refer them also to my serious relationship with food and bird
serious relationship with food and bird
serious relationship with food and bird the third question I get asked is is
the third question I get asked is is
the third question I get asked is is where are you from and this is this next
where are you from and this is this next
where are you from and this is this next poem it’s called a good punch it is
poem it’s called a good punch it is
poem it’s called a good punch it is about it’s exploring that it’s exploring
about it’s exploring that it’s exploring
about it’s exploring that it’s exploring that element of who are you where are
that element of who are you where are
that element of who are you where are you from and why do people care so much
you from and why do people care so much
you from and why do people care so much and so this is a this is the first time
and so this is a this is the first time
and so this is a this is the first time I actually address that and I dressed it
I actually address that and I dressed it
I actually address that and I dressed it to through poetry and I always tell
to through poetry and I always tell
to through poetry and I always tell people that poetry has helped me
people that poetry has helped me
people that poetry has helped me things that normal you know normal
things that normal you know normal
things that normal you know normal situate to confront normal situations
situate to confront normal situations
situate to confront normal situations that I wouldn’t otherwise confront so
that I wouldn’t otherwise confront so
that I wouldn’t otherwise confront so this is this is a good punch you think
this is this is a good punch you think
this is this is a good punch you think you’re so funny
you’re so funny
you’re so funny think everything you say is a clown and
think everything you say is a clown and
think everything you say is a clown and trampoline birthday party words like
trampoline birthday party words like
trampoline birthday party words like knock-knock jokes knocked down with
knock-knock jokes knocked down with
knock-knock jokes knocked down with punchlines like half-breed hybrid on
punchlines like half-breed hybrid on
punchlines like half-breed hybrid on whole unholy incomplete I’ve spent my
whole unholy incomplete I’ve spent my
whole unholy incomplete I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what
whole life trying to figure out what
whole life trying to figure out what complete is because it seems that
complete is because it seems that
complete is because it seems that nationalities come with conditions than
nationalities come with conditions than
nationalities come with conditions than I clearly didn’t get that memo like you
I clearly didn’t get that memo like you
I clearly didn’t get that memo like you need to pay a fee of admission and it
need to pay a fee of admission and it
need to pay a fee of admission and it clearly didn’t attend that meeting
clearly didn’t attend that meeting
clearly didn’t attend that meeting biologically my mother is Japanese
biologically my mother is Japanese
biologically my mother is Japanese she’s also America and her mother’s
she’s also America and her mother’s
she’s also America and her mother’s mother came from Sweden her adoptive
mother came from Sweden her adoptive
mother came from Sweden her adoptive father is Osage Native American chief of
father is Osage Native American chief of
father is Osage Native American chief of Chiefs of the tribe in Oklahoma we have
Chiefs of the tribe in Oklahoma we have
Chiefs of the tribe in Oklahoma we have sushi on New Year’s Day in my house in
sushi on New Year’s Day in my house in
sushi on New Year’s Day in my house in my house my father’s Emirati spends his
my house my father’s Emirati spends his
my house my father’s Emirati spends his life giving back to his country teacher
life giving back to his country teacher
life giving back to his country teacher who taught this generation of leaders
who taught this generation of leaders
who taught this generation of leaders son of a pearl diver descended from
son of a pearl diver descended from
son of a pearl diver descended from greatness son to a mother who had a
greatness son to a mother who had a
greatness son to a mother who had a heart so big anything and everything I
heart so big anything and everything I
heart so big anything and everything I could possibly wish for could fit inside
could possibly wish for could fit inside
could possibly wish for could fit inside of it in school they called me vintage
of it in school they called me vintage
of it in school they called me vintage Nubia
Nubia
Nubia the foreigners daughter my eyes were
the foreigners daughter my eyes were
the foreigners daughter my eyes were more slanted than theirs my accent was
more slanted than theirs my accent was
more slanted than theirs my accent was different than theirs my skin doesn’t
different than theirs my skin doesn’t
different than theirs my skin doesn’t know what color is my eyes don’t see
know what color is my eyes don’t see
know what color is my eyes don’t see colors anyways our veins I’ll pump the
colors anyways our veins I’ll pump the
colors anyways our veins I’ll pump the same blood in our hearts I’ll hook the
same blood in our hearts I’ll hook the
same blood in our hearts I’ll hook the same thunk for chambers and you still
same thunk for chambers and you still
same thunk for chambers and you still can’t find room for some acceptance in
can’t find room for some acceptance in
can’t find room for some acceptance in college I went four semesters before the
college I went four semesters before the
college I went four semesters before the girls stopped calling me
girls stopped calling me
girls stopped calling me Jessica Ventura teach they refused to
Jessica Ventura teach they refused to
Jessica Ventura teach they refused to call me by my real name the name my
call me by my real name the name my
call me by my real name the name my mother had so carefully picked out for
mother had so carefully picked out for
mother had so carefully picked out for me the name that was so traditional
me the name that was so traditional
me the name that was so traditional doctors in the hospital wondered where
doctors in the hospital wondered where
doctors in the hospital wondered where she heard it from she says she saw my
she heard it from she says she saw my
she heard it from she says she saw my face and decided that I look like
face and decided that I look like
face and decided that I look like nothing I’m not sorry my name doesn’t
nothing I’m not sorry my name doesn’t
nothing I’m not sorry my name doesn’t sound as foreign as you think I look I’m
sound as foreign as you think I look I’m
sound as foreign as you think I look I’m not sorry for Who I am when you tell me
not sorry for Who I am when you tell me
not sorry for Who I am when you tell me to go sit in the corner of the cafeteria
to go sit in the corner of the cafeteria
to go sit in the corner of the cafeteria tell me to look outside because the boat
tell me to look outside because the boat
tell me to look outside because the boat is probably waiting to take me back to
is probably waiting to take me back to
is probably waiting to take me back to wherever it is I came from it’s a sick
wherever it is I came from it’s a sick
wherever it is I came from it’s a sick reality when the boy in the schoolyard
reality when the boy in the schoolyard
reality when the boy in the schoolyard tells me ephra maybe your grandparents
tells me ephra maybe your grandparents
tells me ephra maybe your grandparents should have never gotten married and
should have never gotten married and
should have never gotten married and then your parents would never have met
then your parents would never have met
then your parents would never have met and
and
and then we wouldn’t have to stare at your
then we wouldn’t have to stare at your
then we wouldn’t have to stare at your ugly face and try to figure out where
ugly face and try to figure out where
ugly face and try to figure out where you come from any longer I’d say my
you come from any longer I’d say my
you come from any longer I’d say my grandparents both died of cancer but
grandparents both died of cancer but
grandparents both died of cancer but they never acted like they were sick the
they never acted like they were sick the
they never acted like they were sick the only disease I can see is the one
only disease I can see is the one
only disease I can see is the one staring back at me when you laugh at me
staring back at me when you laugh at me
staring back at me when you laugh at me because I’m not like you say things that
because I’m not like you say things that
because I’m not like you say things that only mean kids on playgrounds do and
only mean kids on playgrounds do and
only mean kids on playgrounds do and sing songs of you’re so ugly you’re so
sing songs of you’re so ugly you’re so
sing songs of you’re so ugly you’re so fat no one loves a monster like that
fat no one loves a monster like that
fat no one loves a monster like that don’t have friends but you think you do
don’t have friends but you think you do
don’t have friends but you think you do if you died you wouldn’t miss you you
if you died you wouldn’t miss you you
if you died you wouldn’t miss you you you mock my parents and my heritage my
you mock my parents and my heritage my
you mock my parents and my heritage my parents taught me kindness in your face
parents taught me kindness in your face
parents taught me kindness in your face is pretty but your face is a waste of a
is pretty but your face is a waste of a
is pretty but your face is a waste of a perfectly good punch – consider yourself
perfectly good punch – consider yourself
perfectly good punch – consider yourself lucky because I never miss
[Music]
[Music] thank you thank you so much that’s it’s
thank you thank you so much that’s it’s
thank you thank you so much that’s it’s it’s one of my favorite pieces but it’s
it’s one of my favorite pieces but it’s
it’s one of my favorite pieces but it’s also one of the hardest pieces to do
also one of the hardest pieces to do
also one of the hardest pieces to do just I’ve done it maybe 90 times and it
just I’ve done it maybe 90 times and it
just I’ve done it maybe 90 times and it doesn’t it doesn’t get easier but it’s
doesn’t it doesn’t get easier but it’s
doesn’t it doesn’t get easier but it’s it’s one of those things I always think
it’s one of those things I always think
it’s one of those things I always think that art is born of struggle and poetry
that art is born of struggle and poetry
that art is born of struggle and poetry is born of pain so I always like to to
is born of pain so I always like to to
is born of pain so I always like to to put that message that message across so
again it was about finding myself and
again it was about finding myself and finding your voice and realizing that
finding your voice and realizing that
finding your voice and realizing that all of the people even the ones that
all of the people even the ones that
all of the people even the ones that told the teachers that told me I
told the teachers that told me I
told the teachers that told me I couldn’t that I couldn’t be taught I
couldn’t that I couldn’t be taught I
couldn’t that I couldn’t be taught I never I mean if you would have asked me
never I mean if you would have asked me
never I mean if you would have asked me you know back please don’t ask me how
you know back please don’t ask me how
you know back please don’t ask me how old I am but if you would have asked me
old I am but if you would have asked me
old I am but if you would have asked me before when I was in school you know
before when I was in school you know
before when I was in school you know told me that I would be speaking
told me that I would be speaking
told me that I would be speaking addressing students and faculty and and
addressing students and faculty and and
addressing students and faculty and and you know all these fabulous speakers in
you know all these fabulous speakers in
you know all these fabulous speakers in a school that I would be asked to come
a school that I would be asked to come
a school that I would be asked to come and tell my story in a school I would
and tell my story in a school I would
and tell my story in a school I would have said you know and I’m pretty sure
have said you know and I’m pretty sure
have said you know and I’m pretty sure you have a different after all but I’m
you have a different after all but I’m
you have a different after all but I’m very fortunate to to do what I love
very fortunate to to do what I love
very fortunate to to do what I love to realize that I that I love poetry and
to realize that I that I love poetry and
to realize that I that I love poetry and love performing I love being on stage
love performing I love being on stage
love performing I love being on stage and that really through the power of art
and that really through the power of art
and that really through the power of art and through the power of performance you
and through the power of performance you
and through the power of performance you can change something that went something
can change something that went something
can change something that went something that is so something that has been a
that is so something that has been a
that is so something that has been a hindrance tune for a very long time and
hindrance tune for a very long time and
hindrance tune for a very long time and turn it into something that people love
turn it into something that people love
turn it into something that people love and turn it into something positive and
and turn it into something positive and
and turn it into something positive and I think that is the essential message I
I think that is the essential message I
I think that is the essential message I mean the talk before me where they’re
mean the talk before me where they’re
mean the talk before me where they’re talking about the intersection of cult
talking about the intersection of cult
talking about the intersection of cult of art and science that’s it that’s
of art and science that’s it that’s
of art and science that’s it that’s exactly it like you need to find that
exactly it like you need to find that
exactly it like you need to find that balance and turn it into something
balance and turn it into something
balance and turn it into something meaningful so I’m always very grateful
meaningful so I’m always very grateful
meaningful so I’m always very grateful to to do that but they’re gonna there
to to do that but they’re gonna there
to to do that but they’re gonna there was a lot of people that told me that I
was a lot of people that told me that I
was a lot of people that told me that I shouldn’t be a poet so let’s just do
shouldn’t be a poet so let’s just do
shouldn’t be a poet so let’s just do some audience participation here who has
some audience participation here who has
some audience participation here who has been told and I’m I can’t really see all
been told and I’m I can’t really see all
been told and I’m I can’t really see all of you but who has ever been told that
of you but who has ever been told that
of you but who has ever been told that they’re in the wrong profession or that
they’re in the wrong profession or that
they’re in the wrong profession or that they’re in the wrong major or that what
they’re in the wrong major or that what
they’re in the wrong major or that what they’re doing is or what they’re doing
they’re doing is or what they’re doing
they’re doing is or what they’re doing is not important and that the thing that
is not important and that the thing that
is not important and that the thing that they love should just be a hobby or a
they love should just be a hobby or a
they love should just be a hobby or a side project okay so from what I can see
side project okay so from what I can see
side project okay so from what I can see from the blinding light in my eyes there
from the blinding light in my eyes there
from the blinding light in my eyes there are quite a few people so a lot of
are quite a few people so a lot of
are quite a few people so a lot of people told me that I couldn’t that I
people told me that I couldn’t that I
people told me that I couldn’t that I couldn’t be a poet and one person in
couldn’t be a poet and one person in
couldn’t be a poet and one person in particular inspired the next poem it’s
particular inspired the next poem it’s
particular inspired the next poem it’s called numbers and you should know that
called numbers and you should know that
called numbers and you should know that I’m really bad with numbers I mean I’m
I’m really bad with numbers I mean I’m
I’m really bad with numbers I mean I’m the kid or there’s more than yes power
the kid or there’s more than yes power
the kid or there’s more than yes power to us I mean I’m the one where they
to us I mean I’m the one where they
to us I mean I’m the one where they asked me two plus two and I’ll be like
asked me two plus two and I’ll be like
asked me two plus two and I’ll be like seven oh so I’m really bad with numbers
seven oh so I’m really bad with numbers
seven oh so I’m really bad with numbers and this this poem is called numbers
and this this poem is called numbers
and this this poem is called numbers it’s about that that experience when
it’s about that that experience when
it’s about that that experience when someone’s will mean you could you can’t
someone’s will mean you could you can’t
someone’s will mean you could you can’t do this and I think this is the snaps in
do this and I think this is the snaps in
do this and I think this is the snaps in the collapse proved otherwise and the
the collapse proved otherwise and the
the collapse proved otherwise and the impact that poetry has on people proves
impact that poetry has on people proves
impact that poetry has on people proves otherwise but this is
I’ve never been good with numbers or
I’ve never been good with numbers or names or remembering where I parked I
names or remembering where I parked I
names or remembering where I parked I won’t be able to match your face to your
won’t be able to match your face to your
won’t be able to match your face to your name but I can tell you exactly what I
name but I can tell you exactly what I
name but I can tell you exactly what I was thinking about eating when we met
was thinking about eating when we met
was thinking about eating when we met you were a cheeseburger and I was a
you were a cheeseburger and I was a
you were a cheeseburger and I was a salad but Who am I kidding I don’t eat
salad but Who am I kidding I don’t eat
salad but Who am I kidding I don’t eat salads they say there is no equation for
salads they say there is no equation for
salads they say there is no equation for the number of times we’ll try and fail
the number of times we’ll try and fail
the number of times we’ll try and fail failure is a product of effort and
failure is a product of effort and
failure is a product of effort and imagination divided by the number of
imagination divided by the number of
imagination divided by the number of setbacks I’m not good with numbers you
setbacks I’m not good with numbers you
setbacks I’m not good with numbers you said I was your 7 you said I was your
said I was your 7 you said I was your
said I was your 7 you said I was your perfect prime number not divisible
perfect prime number not divisible
perfect prime number not divisible undeniable you said 7 it was 7 times I
undeniable you said 7 it was 7 times I
undeniable you said 7 it was 7 times I would look for you before I realized you
would look for you before I realized you
would look for you before I realized you weren’t coming back 9 times I repeated
weren’t coming back 9 times I repeated
weren’t coming back 9 times I repeated the song you played him when you strum
the song you played him when you strum
the song you played him when you strum your guitar you played for years since
your guitar you played for years since
your guitar you played for years since the last time I saw who I thought I knew
the last time I saw who I thought I knew
the last time I saw who I thought I knew in the mirror 5 is the number of years I
in the mirror 5 is the number of years I
in the mirror 5 is the number of years I spent in college 11 is the number of
spent in college 11 is the number of
spent in college 11 is the number of guys who graduated because of me who
guys who graduated because of me who
guys who graduated because of me who would never never see a college degree
would never never see a college degree
would never never see a college degree without help from me was a 2nd of August
without help from me was a 2nd of August
without help from me was a 2nd of August 2013 2 plus 8 plus 2 plus 0 plus 1 plus
2013 2 plus 8 plus 2 plus 0 plus 1 plus
2013 2 plus 8 plus 2 plus 0 plus 1 plus 3 16 the year-end learned that
3 16 the year-end learned that
3 16 the year-end learned that friendships sinks and not every hand
friendships sinks and not every hand
friendships sinks and not every hand held out is a hand worth holding last
held out is a hand worth holding last
held out is a hand worth holding last time I held a hand she was in a hospital
time I held a hand she was in a hospital
time I held a hand she was in a hospital room getting ready to die death doesn’t
room getting ready to die death doesn’t
room getting ready to die death doesn’t scare me
scare me
scare me Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty still
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty still
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty still scares me I can’t get over it believe me
scares me I can’t get over it believe me
scares me I can’t get over it believe me I’ve tried I tried to play by the rules
I’ve tried I tried to play by the rules
I’ve tried I tried to play by the rules but that’s a lie lies go full circle
but that’s a lie lies go full circle
but that’s a lie lies go full circle like pupils dilating like dialing on an
like pupils dilating like dialing on an
like pupils dilating like dialing on an old-fashioned telephone zero five zero
old-fashioned telephone zero five zero
old-fashioned telephone zero five zero five four I still remember your phone
five four I still remember your phone
five four I still remember your phone number but I never let it ring so I
number but I never let it ring so I
number but I never let it ring so I settled for the dial tone 12 is how old
settled for the dial tone 12 is how old
settled for the dial tone 12 is how old I was the first time I ever felt
I was the first time I ever felt
I was the first time I ever felt unbeautiful because he said I was 21 is
unbeautiful because he said I was 21 is
unbeautiful because he said I was 21 is 12 backwards the year I realized that my
12 backwards the year I realized that my
12 backwards the year I realized that my thinking was backwards words cut
thinking was backwards words cut
thinking was backwards words cut stranger shapes from strangers words A’s
stranger shapes from strangers words A’s
stranger shapes from strangers words A’s B’s C’s DS DS dingdong the witch is dead
B’s C’s DS DS dingdong the witch is dead
B’s C’s DS DS dingdong the witch is dead ruby shoes there’s no place like home
ruby shoes there’s no place like home
ruby shoes there’s no place like home there’s no place like home there’s no
there’s no place like home there’s no
there’s no place like home there’s no place like home each number bears the
place like home each number bears the
place like home each number bears the significance that we cannot see until we
significance that we cannot see until we
significance that we cannot see until we experience that instance when we realize
experience that instance when we realize
experience that instance when we realize who we are and why we are them I
who we are and why we are them I
who we are and why we are them I remember you said I could never be a
remember you said I could never be a
remember you said I could never be a poet because I would never be able to
poet because I would never be able to
poet because I would never be able to put a hundred words together and you’re
put a hundred words together and you’re
put a hundred words together and you’re right I can’t give you a hundred words
right I can’t give you a hundred words
right I can’t give you a hundred words instead I’ll give you two hundred fifty
instead I’ll give you two hundred fifty
instead I’ll give you two hundred fifty five years two hundred just because in
five years two hundred just because in
five years two hundred just because in 55 for good measure for every time you
55 for good measure for every time you
55 for good measure for every time you said my words wouldn’t take me anywhere
said my words wouldn’t take me anywhere
said my words wouldn’t take me anywhere hand-holding folding toting telling
hand-holding folding toting telling
hand-holding folding toting telling telling truth no utilizes find the time
telling truth no utilizes find the time
telling truth no utilizes find the time lies don’t fly sky high you and me you
lies don’t fly sky high you and me you
lies don’t fly sky high you and me you and I not seeing eye to eye we never
and I not seeing eye to eye we never
and I not seeing eye to eye we never walked together drifting apart as my art
walked together drifting apart as my art
walked together drifting apart as my art words on my brush hush no Sam a
words on my brush hush no Sam a
words on my brush hush no Sam a picture’s worth a thousand words unheard
picture’s worth a thousand words unheard
picture’s worth a thousand words unheard absurd I remember rains his planes as a
absurd I remember rains his planes as a
absurd I remember rains his planes as a train Sam I thought that we bought a
train Sam I thought that we bought a
train Sam I thought that we bought a penny for your thoughts a penny for the
penny for your thoughts a penny for the
penny for your thoughts a penny for the many times I remember that September
many times I remember that September
many times I remember that September before the last December when we spin
before the last December when we spin
before the last December when we spin splints – – lived outside the box
splints – – lived outside the box
splints – – lived outside the box unlocked stop stop stop
unlocked stop stop stop
unlocked stop stop stop I remember you said I could never be a
I remember you said I could never be a
I remember you said I could never be a poet because I could never even put a
poet because I could never even put a
poet because I could never even put a hundred words together but I’ve never
hundred words together but I’ve never
hundred words together but I’ve never been good with numbers
been good with numbers
been good with numbers [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] so for those of you who are also bad
so for those of you who are also bad
so for those of you who are also bad with numbers there is hope and and I
with numbers there is hope and and I
with numbers there is hope and and I think a lot of the times we we
think a lot of the times we we
think a lot of the times we we internalize a lot of the things that
internalize a lot of the things that
internalize a lot of the things that that come at us whether it’s someone’s
that come at us whether it’s someone’s
that come at us whether it’s someone’s saying that they don’t particularly care
saying that they don’t particularly care
saying that they don’t particularly care for your artwork right someone that says
for your artwork right someone that says
for your artwork right someone that says oh yeah that that’s nice but I mean you
oh yeah that that’s nice but I mean you
oh yeah that that’s nice but I mean you know maybe a different color maybe you
know maybe a different color maybe you
know maybe a different color maybe you shouldn’t be wearing that maybe you
shouldn’t be wearing that maybe you
shouldn’t be wearing that maybe you shouldn’t be doing this and we we
shouldn’t be doing this and we we
shouldn’t be doing this and we we internalize it so much that it becomes a
internalize it so much that it becomes a
internalize it so much that it becomes a part of our of our narrative and it’s
part of our of our narrative and it’s
part of our of our narrative and it’s really sad and and what what I’ve
really sad and and what what I’ve
really sad and and what what I’ve realized is when you when you find a
realized is when you when you find a
realized is when you when you find a thing that you love and you feel like
thing that you love and you feel like
thing that you love and you feel like it’s the thing that is going to give you
it’s the thing that is going to give you
it’s the thing that is going to give you wings you feel like it’s the thing
wings you feel like it’s the thing
wings you feel like it’s the thing that’s gonna make you fly
that’s gonna make you fly
that’s gonna make you fly it is incredible I used well I used to
it is incredible I used well I used to
it is incredible I used well I used to have a job I’m currently unemployed I
have a job I’m currently unemployed I
have a job I’m currently unemployed I quit my cushy corporate job because I
quit my cushy corporate job because I
quit my cushy corporate job because I wanted to pursue my PhD and become a
wanted to pursue my PhD and become a
wanted to pursue my PhD and become a poet it’s become a full-time poet so
poet it’s become a full-time poet so
poet it’s become a full-time poet so this is literally my livelihood and
this is literally my livelihood and
this is literally my livelihood and here’s the thing there are always gonna
here’s the thing there are always gonna
here’s the thing there are always gonna be obstacles there are always gonna be
be obstacles there are always gonna be
be obstacles there are always gonna be bears and you know you leave a job you
bears and you know you leave a job you
bears and you know you leave a job you worry about different things you worry
worry about different things you worry
worry about different things you worry about living for month-to-month you
about living for month-to-month you
about living for month-to-month you worry about expenses you worry about is
worry about expenses you worry about is
worry about expenses you worry about is this the right choice you worry about
this the right choice you worry about
this the right choice you worry about did I jump off the cleaver that it
did I jump off the cleaver that it
did I jump off the cleaver that it showed off a cliff I mean there are so
showed off a cliff I mean there are so
showed off a cliff I mean there are so many so many so many so many things and
many so many so many so many things and
many so many so many so many things and they look the life of an artist is one
they look the life of an artist is one
they look the life of an artist is one of it’s one of incredible beauty but
of it’s one of incredible beauty but
of it’s one of incredible beauty but it’s also one of incredible struggle and
it’s also one of incredible struggle and
it’s also one of incredible struggle and I’ve been fortunate thankfully since
I’ve been fortunate thankfully since
I’ve been fortunate thankfully since quitting my job knowing that this is
quitting my job knowing that this is
quitting my job knowing that this is what I meant to you I meant to be on
what I meant to you I meant to be on
what I meant to you I meant to be on stage I’m meant to be employed
stage I’m meant to be employed
stage I’m meant to be employed it’s I would not trade it for anything
it’s I would not trade it for anything
it’s I would not trade it for anything there is there it’s when you find the
there is there it’s when you find the
there is there it’s when you find the thing that you love and I encourage all
thing that you love and I encourage all
thing that you love and I encourage all of you to find the things that you love
of you to find the things that you love
of you to find the things that you love and maybe you’re not gonna find it today
and maybe you’re not gonna find it today
and maybe you’re not gonna find it today maybe you’re not gonna find it tomorrow
maybe you’re not gonna find it tomorrow
maybe you’re not gonna find it tomorrow but just keep trying the things you know
but just keep trying the things you know
but just keep trying the things you know I mean I can’t sink to save my life you
I mean I can’t sink to save my life you
I mean I can’t sink to save my life you hurt me but I I put I incorporate songs
hurt me but I I put I incorporate songs
hurt me but I I put I incorporate songs into my poems because I feel like it’s
into my poems because I feel like it’s
into my poems because I feel like it’s it’s something that I want to do and let
it’s something that I want to do and let
it’s something that I want to do and let me tell you this and I say this with
me tell you this and I say this with
me tell you this and I say this with absolute 195 percent conviction you are
absolute 195 percent conviction you are
absolute 195 percent conviction you are unbreakable you will go on and everyone
unbreakable you will go on and everyone
unbreakable you will go on and everyone sitting in this room is going to do big
sitting in this room is going to do big
sitting in this room is going to do big things and you were gonna do big things
things and you were gonna do big things
things and you were gonna do big things in spite of the people that tell you
in spite of the people that tell you
in spite of the people that tell you that you can’t you are going to do big
that you can’t you are going to do big
that you can’t you are going to do big things regardless of what of what they
things regardless of what of what they
things regardless of what of what they think you can do you are the only person
think you can do you are the only person
think you can do you are the only person you are the only person that can set
you are the only person that can set
you are the only person that can set limits for yourself and nobody else can
limits for yourself and nobody else can
limits for yourself and nobody else can do that so take this as advice from your
do that so take this as advice from your
do that so take this as advice from your friendly neighborhood – spoken word poet
friendly neighborhood – spoken word poet
friendly neighborhood – spoken word poet because it is true I have lived it I
because it is true I have lived it I
because it is true I have lived it I have seen it you will do amazing things
have seen it you will do amazing things
have seen it you will do amazing things and you will fly in ways that you never
and you will fly in ways that you never
and you will fly in ways that you never thought you could
thought you could
thought you could and and obstacles they teach you and
and and obstacles they teach you and
and and obstacles they teach you and sometimes they’re really horrible and
sometimes they’re really horrible and
sometimes they’re really horrible and then you feel like life is kicking you
then you feel like life is kicking you
then you feel like life is kicking you in the head and unfortunately that
in the head and unfortunately that
in the head and unfortunately that doesn’t really stop so you just you get
doesn’t really stop so you just you get
doesn’t really stop so you just you get off you you brush yourself off you brush
off you you brush yourself off you brush
off you you brush yourself off you brush it off and you get back to work and you
it off and you get back to work and you
it off and you get back to work and you find the thing that you love and you do
find the thing that you love and you do
find the thing that you love and you do it and you do it well and while you’re
it and you do it well and while you’re
it and you do it well and while you’re doing it you inspire other people to do
doing it you inspire other people to do
doing it you inspire other people to do it too because that’s what this is about
it too because that’s what this is about
it too because that’s what this is about it is about our common our common our
it is about our common our common our
it is about our common our common our common human bond it’s not about me
common human bond it’s not about me
common human bond it’s not about me being a poet and someone else being a DJ
being a poet and someone else being a DJ
being a poet and someone else being a DJ and someone else doing this it is about
and someone else doing this it is about
and someone else doing this it is about the way that we lift each other up it is
the way that we lift each other up it is
the way that we lift each other up it is about the community that we build
about the community that we build
about the community that we build together and you are all unbreakable so
together and you are all unbreakable so
together and you are all unbreakable so I want to end my talk with poem that I
I want to end my talk with poem that I
I want to end my talk with poem that I would like to dedicate to everyone
would like to dedicate to everyone
would like to dedicate to everyone sitting in this room
sitting in this room
sitting in this room see that’s so nice you guys are gonna
see that’s so nice you guys are gonna
see that’s so nice you guys are gonna get a poem dedicated to you have to put
get a poem dedicated to you have to put
get a poem dedicated to you have to put this down cuz I’d like move a lot so the
this down cuz I’d like move a lot so the
this down cuz I’d like move a lot so the poem is called 2 a.m. and if any of you
poem is called 2 a.m. and if any of you
poem is called 2 a.m. and if any of you have ever stayed up
have ever stayed up
have ever stayed up I’m sure you’ve stayed up until 2 3 4 or
I’m sure you’ve stayed up until 2 3 4 or
I’m sure you’ve stayed up until 2 3 4 or 5 a.m. there’s a lot of needless things
5 a.m. there’s a lot of needless things
5 a.m. there’s a lot of needless things like I always I lay in bed and I know
like I always I lay in bed and I know
like I always I lay in bed and I know that I need to get up early and I know
that I need to get up early and I know
that I need to get up early and I know that I that I need to go to bed and I’m
that I that I need to go to bed and I’m
that I that I need to go to bed and I’m so tired I’m like huh history of
so tired I’m like huh history of
so tired I’m like huh history of marching bands let’s Google you know and
marching bands let’s Google you know and
marching bands let’s Google you know and and and and so the really nighttime is
and and and so the really nighttime is
and and and so the really nighttime is time for thinking so I named this poem 2
time for thinking so I named this poem 2
time for thinking so I named this poem 2 a.m. and it’s about show of hands how
a.m. and it’s about show of hands how
a.m. and it’s about show of hands how many of you have a dream like a dream
many of you have a dream like a dream
many of you have a dream like a dream that you would love to pursue and it
that you would love to pursue and it
that you would love to pursue and it doesn’t matter if it’s ridiculously out
doesn’t matter if it’s ridiculously out
doesn’t matter if it’s ridiculously out of reach how many of you have a dream ok
of reach how many of you have a dream ok
of reach how many of you have a dream ok good good we have a group of dreamers
good good we have a group of dreamers
good good we have a group of dreamers this is excellent so this poem is called
this is excellent so this poem is called
this is excellent so this poem is called it’s called 2 a.m.
I need to know I’m doing a good job it’s
I need to know I’m doing a good job it’s just how calcio it’s serious serious
just how calcio it’s serious serious
just how calcio it’s serious serious space the fastest way to kill a poetry
space the fastest way to kill a poetry
space the fastest way to kill a poetry performances to be generic the fastest
performances to be generic the fastest
performances to be generic the fastest way to kill a dream is to suffocate
way to kill a dream is to suffocate
way to kill a dream is to suffocate squeeze out every last breath widget
squeeze out every last breath widget
squeeze out every last breath widget between the words realistic and
between the words realistic and
between the words realistic and unattainable rapid and blankets of
unattainable rapid and blankets of
unattainable rapid and blankets of self-doubt until it it has no place here
self-doubt until it it has no place here
self-doubt until it it has no place here ostracize and outcast until no one
ostracize and outcast until no one
ostracize and outcast until no one recognises it space or speaks its name
recognises it space or speaks its name
recognises it space or speaks its name kill off passion make sure that if the
kill off passion make sure that if the
kill off passion make sure that if the dream ever dares to show its face here
dream ever dares to show its face here
dream ever dares to show its face here again the dream has no friends and
again the dream has no friends and
again the dream has no friends and nowhere to stay so when they tell you
nowhere to stay so when they tell you
nowhere to stay so when they tell you you can be anything you wanted they mean
you can be anything you wanted they mean
you can be anything you wanted they mean something within reason within the
something within reason within the
something within reason within the constructs of a society that dictates
constructs of a society that dictates
constructs of a society that dictates what is acceptable find a job that is
what is acceptable find a job that is
what is acceptable find a job that is acceptable silence your passion watch
acceptable silence your passion watch
acceptable silence your passion watch your dreams like a silent movie on
your dreams like a silent movie on
your dreams like a silent movie on repeat when I tell them I’m a poet when
repeat when I tell them I’m a poet when
repeat when I tell them I’m a poet when I tell them I am a poet they look at me
I tell them I am a poet they look at me
I tell them I am a poet they look at me like a failed business venture I sorry
like a failed business venture I sorry
like a failed business venture I sorry we can’t meet with you a call us back
we can’t meet with you a call us back
we can’t meet with you a call us back when you have a stronger proposal poets
when you have a stronger proposal poets
when you have a stronger proposal poets and entrepreneurs but no convention is
and entrepreneurs but no convention is
and entrepreneurs but no convention is just convenience we used to convince
just convenience we used to convince
just convenience we used to convince ourselves that our dreams are worthless
ourselves that our dreams are worthless
ourselves that our dreams are worthless that we are worth less than it’s
that we are worth less than it’s
that we are worth less than it’s customary convicting us with no judge
customary convicting us with no judge
customary convicting us with no judge and a fact lacking jury Your Honor I
and a fact lacking jury Your Honor I
and a fact lacking jury Your Honor I move to dismiss the motion of the notion
move to dismiss the motion of the notion
move to dismiss the motion of the notion of the continuous quote status quo you
of the continuous quote status quo you
of the continuous quote status quo you can’t quote my concern yes you can
can’t quote my concern yes you can
can’t quote my concern yes you can direct quote me on that let’s recap they
direct quote me on that let’s recap they
direct quote me on that let’s recap they say they’re like my flow but I know that
say they’re like my flow but I know that
say they’re like my flow but I know that it means that we object to this
it means that we object to this
it means that we object to this rejection like the records show we know
rejection like the records show we know
rejection like the records show we know it is never about the final destination
it is never about the final destination
it is never about the final destination it is about how badly we want to get
it is about how badly we want to get
it is about how badly we want to get there this is for people who want to get
there this is for people who want to get
there this is for people who want to get there the underdogs who know they can
there the underdogs who know they can
there the underdogs who know they can beat the odds when the deck is clearly
beat the odds when the deck is clearly
beat the odds when the deck is clearly stacked against them these are people
stacked against them these are people
stacked against them these are people who know it can happen when muggles
who know it can happen when muggles
who know it can happen when muggles believe in magic they look to new
believe in magic they look to new
believe in magic they look to new horizons like Frodo leaving the Shire
horizons like Frodo leaving the Shire
horizons like Frodo leaving the Shire scared but determined they are not
scared but determined they are not
scared but determined they are not misfits they are perfectly placed
misfits they are perfectly placed
misfits they are perfectly placed apostrophes the difference between why
apostrophes the difference between why
apostrophes the difference between why oh you apostrophe re and you are this is
oh you apostrophe re and you are this is
oh you apostrophe re and you are this is about survivors like a skinny grown
about survivors like a skinny grown
about survivors like a skinny grown stick like armor riding through life
stick like armor riding through life
stick like armor riding through life like a battlefield we are knuckles
like a battlefield we are knuckles
like a battlefield we are knuckles bruised from knocking on doors that said
bruised from knocking on doors that said
bruised from knocking on doors that said they’d never opened because our ideas
they’d never opened because our ideas
they’d never opened because our ideas were never good enough but the same
were never good enough but the same
were never good enough but the same people rejecting us are the same people
people rejecting us are the same people
people rejecting us are the same people lose the flower crown filter and forget
lose the flower crown filter and forget
lose the flower crown filter and forget that snapchat was a startup
that snapchat was a startup
that snapchat was a startup those who stuff the makers of change in
those who stuff the makers of change in
those who stuff the makers of change in boxes like monsters and bedtime stories
boxes like monsters and bedtime stories
boxes like monsters and bedtime stories forced to roam around under cover of
forced to roam around under cover of
forced to roam around under cover of darkness the ones who forgot how sleep
darkness the ones who forgot how sleep
darkness the ones who forgot how sleep feels because their dreams are more
feels because their dreams are more
feels because their dreams are more important than rest no wonder they say 2
important than rest no wonder they say 2
important than rest no wonder they say 2 a.m. was made for the artists we know
a.m. was made for the artists we know
a.m. was made for the artists we know this is not the quickest way to become
this is not the quickest way to become
this is not the quickest way to become famous it is about looking at what is
famous it is about looking at what is
famous it is about looking at what is and figuring out how to change it it is
and figuring out how to change it it is
and figuring out how to change it it is about life slapping you across the face
about life slapping you across the face
about life slapping you across the face and you scream that I got this this is
and you scream that I got this this is
and you scream that I got this this is me this is me being asked to spell the
me this is me being asked to spell the
me this is me being asked to spell the word unnecessary in the 6th grade
word unnecessary in the 6th grade
word unnecessary in the 6th grade spelling bee replacing a C with an S two
spelling bee replacing a C with an S two
spelling bee replacing a C with an S two S’s with a c tripping over my words not
S’s with a c tripping over my words not
S’s with a c tripping over my words not seeing what I was saying stuttering off
seeing what I was saying stuttering off
seeing what I was saying stuttering off the stage and shame and coming back a
the stage and shame and coming back a
the stage and shame and coming back a slam queen this is for him who knows
slam queen this is for him who knows
slam queen this is for him who knows this app can revolutionize the way we
this app can revolutionize the way we
this app can revolutionize the way we see business saves his allowance because
see business saves his allowance because
see business saves his allowance because investors won’t take a chance on someone
investors won’t take a chance on someone
investors won’t take a chance on someone armed with just a dream and a business
armed with just a dream and a business
armed with just a dream and a business plan under the age of 19 this is for her
plan under the age of 19 this is for her
plan under the age of 19 this is for her with a passion that can outshine the
with a passion that can outshine the
with a passion that can outshine the stars in a voice like an anthem we have
stars in a voice like an anthem we have
stars in a voice like an anthem we have lost too many stars to this life’s
lost too many stars to this life’s
lost too many stars to this life’s brutal clenched fists this is not a
brutal clenched fists this is not a
brutal clenched fists this is not a motivational speech this is a call to
motivational speech this is a call to
motivational speech this is a call to create communities of creators engineers
create communities of creators engineers
create communities of creators engineers of ideas it is about knowing that no
of ideas it is about knowing that no
of ideas it is about knowing that no amount of training and social
amount of training and social
amount of training and social conditioning can change what you believe
conditioning can change what you believe
conditioning can change what you believe in so open your arms leave your hearts
in so open your arms leave your hearts
in so open your arms leave your hearts out welcome that
out welcome that
out welcome that turn on the porch light
turn on the porch light
turn on the porch light it’s been a starless night for far too
it’s been a starless night for far too
it’s been a starless night for far too long let the dreams no but the dreams no
long let the dreams no but the dreams no
long let the dreams no but the dreams no it’s time to come home thank you so much
it’s time to come home thank you so much
it’s time to come home thank you so much [Applause]
”
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