I keep coming back to this poem; and it's because it's a masterpiece. It's a myriad of different relationships, from unrequited to abusive to really loving ones. I think I've always had the idea that Dennis wasn't so much an ex-boyfriend as he was a stillborn child; I don't know why and how that image was put into my mind but I can't stop thinking it. The way she frames her stomach when she says "each on of them ... still in it's frame" suits it so well that it's been sealed for me.
Found this when I was around 14 it had a completely different meaning back then. I just went through my first heartbreak this spring and I feel like I’m listening to a whole new piece.
Something I just realized about why I love this song so much is the line "Dear Chad, I was your biggest mistake." It's in that moment that this whole poem changes, it is no longer crapping on exes because in that one line she accepts that she was the mistake. And I didn't recognize that at first, but now months maybe years later it hits me. Without that one line (and Dennis) this poem would just be a bitter woman's recall of her spoiled love life, but that's why it stands out as such a masterpiece, she admits her faults and embraces her choices she calls "mistakes" and dear God is it beautiful! And this poem is beautiful!
I hate that you took all the other lines as a "spoiled love life". "Dear Jay, the bruises fell off eventually", "Dear Freeman, I'll never stop looking over my shoulder, boots laced, ready to run". Do those sound spoiled to you? Or how she apologies to Skippy. Her poem is a beautiful dedication to all the loves throughout her life and how each of them affected her differently. And you are condensing them all to "crapping on exes" (even though she praises about 1/2 of them), now that is just foolish.
You realize you could simply respect another's interpretation? Artistic liberty. And I meant spoiled as in bittersweet not selfish. Jeez. Get over the fact that I interpreted a poem differently than you.
@@52wbending52 she wasnt coming for you in any way she was simply trying to show you there is a deeper meaning to the poem than that . And she shouldn't be reduced down to such a simple person when verlee shows us in every work that she is so much more complex . The poem itself is multi dimensional, just like in English class when were told to give a reading a interpretation and write essays on book reports . If you get the message wrong you didnt read it right. This isnt a song is a spoken word poem.
Even without these lines, it's so much more than a bitter woman's summary of her love life. Not seeing that does not simply make your interpretation different, you're missing the point completely. And that line doesn't even start with "Dear Chad", it starts with "Dear Jeff."
Oh damn. This question changes my feelings about this poem. Everyone is on here trying to find Dennis for her, but maybe Dennis passed away which is why she still thinks of him ..
I know her Dennis and mine are different men but somehow in context they could be the same man. He was a charming SOB and I was a naive girl needing love and affirmation. He told me I was the daughter he never knew yet he left without a word. It’s been 3 years and he’s just 5 hours away over the state line but he might as well be a continent away. He was charming and likable so of course when things went array he had to vanish because too many people knew his face - knew his name. I don’t think of him often but when I do I’m angry and heartbroken because I fell for his lies - he knew I need a father figure but just like he did with his own offspring the moment things got hard he fled.. Even after everything it’s still hard to forget to good times we had even though now I question if they were genuine or not. Just hearing the name strikes a chord in my soul
such as, enough time to let a heart beat, not metaphorically, but literally, to hear ones own heart beat in silence, at least how my teachers explained it
The Ethan one kills me because a guy litteraly asked me if i wanted to have sex. No lead up or anything. He backed off and didnt ask again, didnt try to force me. But he had a date with my friend the next day. so "Dear Ethan, No." is just briliant.
what am I doing with my life. I've just been sitting here annoyed cause no one gets me. I need to find a town with bars and poetry readings like this and get there.
I think I am half the views on this video I've watched it so many times.
The other half is me. lol
Abigail Chorley same
I keep coming back to this poem; and it's because it's a masterpiece. It's a myriad of different relationships, from unrequited to abusive to really loving ones. I think I've always had the idea that Dennis wasn't so much an ex-boyfriend as he was a stillborn child; I don't know why and how that image was put into my mind but I can't stop thinking it.
The way she frames her stomach when she says "each on of them ... still in it's frame" suits it so well that it's been sealed for me.
Well stop it and Dennis was a lover..............
OpinionatedBowties that's a really interesting interpretation. It made me look at the poem in an entirely new light.
OpinionatedBowties ooo i like that take on Dennis
I think Denis was more of 'the husband' than a lover, because keeping pictures in their frame after a marriage means she still really loves him ...
Found this when I was around 14 it had a completely different meaning back then. I just went through my first heartbreak this spring and I feel like I’m listening to a whole new piece.
How are you?
The idea is so brilliant. You cant hear it and not start thinking about what your own life's version of this would be.
Something I just realized about why I love this song so much is the line "Dear Chad, I was your biggest mistake." It's in that moment that this whole poem changes, it is no longer crapping on exes because in that one line she accepts that she was the mistake. And I didn't recognize that at first, but now months maybe years later it hits me. Without that one line (and Dennis) this poem would just be a bitter woman's recall of her spoiled love life, but that's why it stands out as such a masterpiece, she admits her faults and embraces her choices she calls "mistakes" and dear God is it beautiful! And this poem is beautiful!
I hate that you took all the other lines as a "spoiled love life". "Dear Jay, the bruises fell off eventually", "Dear Freeman, I'll never stop looking over my shoulder, boots laced, ready to run". Do those sound spoiled to you? Or how she apologies to Skippy. Her poem is a beautiful dedication to all the loves throughout her life and how each of them affected her differently. And you are condensing them all to "crapping on exes" (even though she praises about 1/2 of them), now that is just foolish.
You realize you could simply respect another's interpretation? Artistic liberty. And I meant spoiled as in bittersweet not selfish. Jeez. Get over the fact that I interpreted a poem differently than you.
@@52wbending52 she wasnt coming for you in any way she was simply trying to show you there is a deeper meaning to the poem than that . And she shouldn't be reduced down to such a simple person when verlee shows us in every work that she is so much more complex . The poem itself is multi dimensional, just like in English class when were told to give a reading a interpretation and write essays on book reports . If you get the message wrong you didnt read it right. This isnt a song is a spoken word poem.
Even without these lines, it's so much more than a bitter woman's summary of her love life. Not seeing that does not simply make your interpretation different, you're missing the point completely. And that line doesn't even start with "Dear Chad", it starts with "Dear Jeff."
Damn it Dennis, call her.
We all have a Dennis in our lives..
It’s been 8 years and I still come back to this and cry every time. Thank you 💖
Dear Graham, i'd have swallowed that bullet. GOOSEBUMPS
"I keep your photos in a box, each one, still in its frame." as she frames herself WOW
"Dear Robert, you are more than beer and vomit. You are more than I could ever put into a poem."
"Dear Jay, the bruises fell off eventually."
I think I love this woman. Amazing what you find on a slam poetry splurge between classes. :)
i'm sure i'm not the only one crying to this
I will always come back to this masterpiece
I have my own Dennis. All his pictures are in my pajama drawer..... I still think of you
Oh damn. This question changes my feelings about this poem. Everyone is on here trying to find Dennis for her, but maybe Dennis passed away which is why she still thinks of him ..
This is still as great as the first time I saw her perform this; she's great!
I've listened to this 4 times today and cried every time
I love this woman! She is amazing and inspiring.
This is the second poem I've seen by her. I really like her style. I hope Dennis saw this.
I keep your photos in a box; each one, still in its frame..❤
Love that part.
Siempre vuelvo a este poema.. Una genia ella!
I watch this video at least twice a day..
McKenna Berkley for me it's at least 5x
This is so beautiful. I can't stop listening.
I don't know why this is one of my favorites
Saw you on PBS News Hour here in Australia, you are brilliant, may your muse keep on shining !!! Bravo !
i wish this was on spotify )~:
I'm probably half of the views...😍😍...Dear Dennis, I still think of you!
listening to this is so soothing,,it also hurts. I just want to accept both
Now that I have my Dennis I will never stop thinking on what could've been
She's beautiful, and strong, and talented. She's beyond amazing.
"I'll always love you, you were all there ever was"
I think Dennis passed away, or she did something terrible(cheating, etc) before she realized that he was the one.
I'm so sad. This is so good.
I'm so happy. This is so bad.
oh...my...gosh...i just found one of my new favourite spoken word poets.
I think that was 39 and I demand one more because I don't want it to end
I know how she feels...
Love this, allways.
Dear Dennis,.... I still think of you.
that hurt.
I love this so much!
so amazing ... wow i love this
Always gives me chills wow
She is so talented! I wish I could think of ways to use words like she does.
i want to cry now
That was hilarious, heart breaking, and completely relateable all rolled into one.
i'm so in love with her now!
SO GOOD.
I totally get you.. I wish there were bars with poetry readings in my city..
Love this!
What has been seen cannot be unseen.
I still think of you...
Damn. That was amazing. O.o
chills
Beautiful and insightful.................
For the love of God, places like these need to exist in Michigan...
Amazing, i love it.
dear Annie. you were my extraordinary relationship
sooo good and creative!!
I have a 'Dear Dennis' and his name is Dennis...and I do still think of him.
wow haha shes amazing this is my fav ever
HELL YES!!
that was so good :D
She's my favorite modern poet so far
this was amazing
i want to know all of the stories in detail now
thank you
Beautiful.
That's it, I'm moving NYC!
I know her Dennis and mine are different men but somehow in context they could be the same man. He was a charming SOB and I was a naive girl needing love and affirmation. He told me I was the daughter he never knew yet he left without a word. It’s been 3 years and he’s just 5 hours away over the state line but he might as well be a continent away. He was charming and likable so of course when things went array he had to vanish because too many people knew his face - knew his name. I don’t think of him often but when I do I’m angry and heartbroken because I fell for his lies - he knew I need a father figure but just like he did with his own offspring the moment things got hard he fled.. Even after everything it’s still hard to forget to good times we had even though now I question if they were genuine or not. Just hearing the name strikes a chord in my soul
yo can my life be as full and as eventful as hers
It is in your own hands..............
Good poem.
Dear LB, you are still my Dennis.
omg i love it
This woman is a fucking angel
Even when I do manage to write short, mediocre poems, I cannot memorize them... How could she memorize such an amazing thing...
"each one . . . still in its frame" - so much in those brief pauses there needs to be a new word for brief pauses, like the one before "again"
those would be called "beats" uvu
such as, enough time to let a heart beat, not metaphorically, but literally, to hear ones own heart beat in silence, at least how my teachers explained it
dear dennis :(
"Dear Dr. Mathews, No. I'll have you fired, again." Bahahaha, this woman is Awesome! She's definitely a role model.
Amazing
yes!
I really dig the names
The Ethan one kills me because a guy litteraly asked me if i wanted to have sex. No lead up or anything. He backed off and didnt ask again, didnt try to force me. But he had a date with my friend the next day. so
"Dear Ethan, No." is just briliant.
I love this poem with everything of mine holy shit
simplemente increíble
I SAW THE FACE!!! finally after watching it a hundred times
"I'm trying to tell stories only I can tell." - Sarah Kay
What poem is she referring to about Abel?
I felt that
awww
which poem is she talking about that "everyone loves, but 'I' think it's trite"?
i feel you :(
We need to go find Dennis
I hope I never have this many names. But I liked this :]
That was incredibly strong. Wow.
Wow, this seems amazing, I want to do this with my love interests.
Does anyone know if this has been published or not?
what am I doing with my life. I've just been sitting here annoyed cause no one gets me. I need to find a town with bars and poetry readings like this and get there.
@scootigger I'm pretty sure I'm Sorry is about her mom.
wow... dennis...
I love how John is "all there ever was," but barely gets another mention. But that Dennis...
I think it's a reference to dear John letters
You're not the only one.