I read this beautiful poem in my English class and I’m so happy we got to see her point of view. It makes me sad how Muslim majority countries are suffering even though the innocent women, men, and children had nothing to do with the 9/11 events😞
"Affirm life. Affirm life. We got to carry each other now. You are either with life, or against it. Affirm life." I'm always speechless when I finish watching this. Always tearful.
Pain is poetry love is hurt, tears are a live, but here to see it alive & breathing. My heart touches on this piece with a right fist of steel in the air. If you don't feel this, ur not alive. Mad props to that woman, undisputed talent within u girl! Keep on keepin on!!!
These words are so touching that they have spread around the world. I am in USA and my dear little brother from Morocco shared them with me. I am sure that your words have even touched GOD. May he rain blessings upon you!
TAKBEER, Mashallah very very nice words of a wise lady to describe her brothers in a poem and show the affection of her poem on stage in front of audiance. inshallah allah gives her the baracha.
words can be so powerful and she knows how to do it. It made me cry. And I don't think people should hate on her. She's expressing something inside her the only way she knows how. And I think it's brilliant and it's a gift few of us have.
This is such a moving piece. First Writing Since is still relevant in 2010! That is awesome writing. Thank you for posting this and Suheir is blessed that this was able to come through so loud and so clear.
this poem is priceless i always shed a tear because it reminds me of the poor innocent women and children dying in palestine and this poem shows that islam only represent peace manshallah for her for being so honest
this brought tears to my eyes she is so right. we need to seek truth, peace and justice. not look at things for what we think they are, but for what they truely are. not be quick to judge and accuse.
this made my heart swell so much cause we are all human beings no matter what race we are a bad person bears no color you cant blame the innocent of one mans actions in this world...love this so much had to cry with her words..She has 2 brothers in the Navy in the US and i honor them both,,thak you my brothers for you service..God Bless you all...xoxo
(3:19) I've read TOO MANY BOOKS to believe what I'm told! You are either with Life or against it. Affirm Life! Loved this poem sweetheart. Very moving!
the message is WAKE UP!!!!!!! and for all those hating on what the sister said in her poem we will pray for your awakening, like the other comment said, we gotta stop seperating ourselves into categories, we are the HUMAN race..and we got some folks thats abusing their gift of life and oppressing people, we gotta fight that negative energy.... incredible poem, i salute the sister for having the guts to put it out there, peace!!!!!!!
Years later the same cycle has cycled. I can agree we have progressed and have more advantages, but as a society we are still struggling. Beyond beautiful poem.
thank u suheir i hope god be with u and keep u strong and beautiful. you speak the truth from your hart. and u let people know about what is gowing on in middle east we love you .MASHALLAH
shit i cant lie as a arab male hearing this everytime i shed a tear this is what 911 felt afterwards mad cause it happened mad because your own country men start thinking you did it.
ive lived in both Texas and currently Toronto you cant possibly believe that canadians are dimwitted? thats just being naive. this ladys got a great voice. she spoke from the heart and everyone could feel it
I have no idea how many times I have heard this but it gets more powerful every time.
Barbara Park same.. 🙌🏾
Same. That is its power.
and another 9 yrs on, how many times I've listened to this, and it resonates more than ever. I hope peace comes to everyone soon
17 years ago and still relevant today. Beautiful
I read this beautiful poem in my English class and I’m so happy we got to see her point of view. It makes me sad how Muslim majority countries are suffering even though the innocent women, men, and children had nothing to do with the 9/11 events😞
"I've read too many books to believe what I'm told."
best quote ever.
i love this poem.
i nearly cried when i watched it the first time.
all i gotta say in response is: word.
Sending so much energy and Love to our Africans Americans ALL OVER THE WORLD. Gaza my heart still is bleeding for you all.
Circling this back around. Just as powerful then as it is now. Thank you for sharing ❤️
"Affirm life. Affirm life. We got to carry each other now. You are either with life, or against it. Affirm life."
I'm always speechless when I finish watching this. Always tearful.
Her poetry is strong and true. It blows me away every time...and she pointed out things I never really realized. AMAZING.
One of my favourite Spoken Words pieces. I always tear up, I've watched it so many times. It's so beautiful!
years after she first spoke this, I still visit it for a deep breathe of real
Never teared up from a poem until I saw this
So passionate and so truthful, that was beyond amazing.
This piece hits harder now more than ever
Pain is poetry love is hurt, tears are a live, but here to see it alive & breathing. My heart touches on this piece with a right fist of steel in the air. If you don't feel this, ur not alive. Mad props to that woman, undisputed talent within u girl! Keep on keepin on!!!
This was absolutely amazing, the tears welling in my eyes have no reason to lie.
These words are so touching that they have spread around the world. I am in USA and my dear little brother from Morocco shared them with me. I am sure that your words have even touched GOD. May he rain blessings upon you!
"I cried when I saw those buildings collapse like a broken heart..." god... soooo gooooooood
"you are either with life or against it" sooo damn true!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still one of the best I've ever seen
She never fails to make me cry. Goodness, that was beautiful.
TAKBEER, Mashallah very very nice words of a wise lady to describe her brothers in a poem and show the affection of her poem on stage in front of audiance. inshallah allah gives her the baracha.
my god... sometimes you dont realise just how powerful words are until you hear them used like this... amazing
I love this poem... More I love that there are no ignorant comments. good things only last so long in this life
words can be so powerful and she knows how to do it. It made me cry.
And I don't think people should hate on her. She's expressing something inside her the only way she knows how. And I think it's brilliant and it's a gift few of us have.
she is soo beautful and her words were touching.. and the smile at the end .. sigh.. she won my heart
This poem made an impact on my life. Suheir Hammad might not ever know, but I'm thankful. Affirm life!!!!
This is such a moving piece. First Writing Since is still relevant in 2010! That is awesome writing. Thank you for posting this and Suheir is blessed that this was able to come through so loud and so clear.
I'm balling. That ripped my heart out. Why is it painful poetry is the most beautiful?
I cried at the truth, and smiled through my tears at the hope, in her poem. Wow. Just wow.
That was brilliant. I was actually moved to tears. Wow.
Truly beautiful. I love the way she reads it. You can hear the rhythm in her voice.
this poem is priceless i always shed a tear because it reminds me of the poor innocent women and children dying in palestine and this poem shows that islam only represent peace
manshallah for her for being so honest
I lost it when she said '... on a broken heart'. Affirm life people.
in one word beatuiful
Bitter sweet word of pasion and pain my eye cry as you cry my love goes out 4 you
this brought tears to my eyes she is so right. we need to seek truth, peace and justice. not look at things for what we think they are, but for what they truely are. not be quick to judge and accuse.
crying so hard right now. this is beautiful.
Powerful. I was deeply moved by that. I hope there is light at the end of this tunnel.
speech, poetry ... how ever you want to corral it I loved it. Truth and beauty.... sigh. thank you for posting it.
I'm speechless at the power of this woman's words. WOW
Among the best poems I've ever heard
Wow! Her words are gentle yet powerful! Poem almost brought me to tears. Beautifully written and great performance.
this made my heart swell so much cause we are all human beings no matter what race we are a bad person bears no color you cant blame the innocent of one mans actions in this world...love this so much had to cry with her words..She has 2 brothers in the Navy in the US and i honor them both,,thak you my brothers for you service..God Bless you all...xoxo
i love suheir hammad. she's just amazing. so elocuent.
omg i am crying. i am! this was so touching so wise so beautiful.
She spoke this in truth and this is 18 years ago
i was touched,
never have i herd such powerful truth.
thank you for this.
Thank you for blessing us with wisdom Suheir Hammad.
I love this. can listen to it a thousand times.. Beautiful words
ive seen it over 4 times now .. i love it ..
shes good
(3:19) I've read TOO MANY BOOKS to believe what I'm told!
You are either with Life or against it. Affirm Life!
Loved this poem sweetheart. Very moving!
Wow. How words make us feel. She brought me back to that day. Very powerful.
Your words speak truth, a truth that pierces through all darkness! Please keep speaking ... your words rain freedom!
i felt chills running down my spine, tears falling down my cheeks.
affirm life.
this is one of the best poems i have ever heard
2024 Ya battali!
I love this poem. It is beautiful.
It speaks of truth and pain.
Amazing!!!!Deep stuff...i'm a muslim woman so i can relate 2 this..masha Allah
I start shaking every time I watch this vid. Amazing.
This deserves 100 Million Views
wow, so you dont need hardcore passion and steel vocals to deliver def poetry. All you need is the words. That was beautiful.
hell yea THATS MY PEOPLE!!! taken the words out of my mouth
Suheir, you brilliant poet! You always speak so truthly and from the heart-- I love hearing your voice and the passion and humanity in it--
Suheir Hammad=the truth.
love her. love her. love her!
Wow! I watched this in my Communications Class today. Very powerful.
she took me on a trip shes real !
M.xmkkr I p00eoii2u32000i364y4aur
Wow, wow. wonderfully said. I still can't believe this. It's wonderful.
this is the kind of poetry that people need to be hearing these days. it should be spread far and wide. ignorance and apathy are killing society.
I keep saying "Stop clapping! I'm trying to hear!"
the message is WAKE UP!!!!!!! and for all those hating on what the sister said in her poem we will pray for your awakening, like the other comment said, we gotta stop seperating ourselves into categories, we are the HUMAN race..and we got some folks thats abusing their gift of life and oppressing people, we gotta fight that negative energy.... incredible poem, i salute the sister for having the guts to put it out there, peace!!!!!!!
not going to lie or b/s anyone
i'm a 20 year old guy
i cry everytime i watch this
'and not way his soul down'....i cried when she said that....
Years later the same cycle has cycled. I can agree we have progressed and have more advantages, but as a society we are still struggling. Beyond beautiful poem.
this poem made me fall in love with your work.
thank u suheir i hope god be with u and keep u strong and beautiful. you speak the truth from your hart. and u let people know about what is gowing on in middle east we love you .MASHALLAH
she is GREAT!!!!!
this makes my eyes water. it is so powerful. you go girl.
This should have over a million views by now
Not a single dry eye !! Stunning...
Oh wow. She's amazing.
I totally feel you bro...i feel the same everytime i hear this too
Takbir. I'm feeling this poem! Big up Ms. Hammad.
-Her power of wordsx is crazi yo i love it.
wow...amazing i love def poetry jam, great move by Simmons such a good way to express peoples values and views.
shit i cant lie as a arab male hearing this everytime i shed a tear this is what 911 felt afterwards mad cause it happened mad because your own country men start thinking you did it.
Absolutely amazing. Thank you.
I don't know if Suheir is wathcing the posts but whatever... It felt good to hear something I can relate to... Thank you sister!!
THat is beautiful and truthful! Much peace to you.
Beautiful poem. So real. The words are a reality.
In tears but in love and for life
Brilliant. Thank for sharing a part of your soul. Namaste
Hate, racism, self-victimization will dehumanize not only ourselves but everyone that surrounds us as long as we allow it to exist.
this girl is so real. lovin it
this is amazing... thank you timothy.
This girl is so beatiful. Shes a genius
ive lived in both Texas and currently Toronto
you cant possibly believe that canadians are dimwitted? thats just being naive.
this ladys got a great voice. she spoke from the heart and everyone could feel it
I completely agree. God bless her.
Woooord baby! You are making me proud!
Deep but so true you pick the right place to speak to get that,message out
well that does make
a lot of sense
thank you