Having lost my husband of 16 years at the "oh my he was soooo young" age of 43, every word Mr. Mali says echoes in my heart. I too, still wait for the letter, a sign, a padded envelope.
In all of his poems there is always one line that really gets me... in this it's "Although I still think you cheated". This man is beautiful and I would like to thank him for sharing himself with us.
So, I have stayed up for 2 hours watching these videos. This one hurt the most. A friend of mine jumped off of an 8 story parking deck at our school 3 years ago and I never had any closure from her. No note, call, or text. She was looking forward to her 21st birthday the following week. It's not the same as a spouse, but it still hurts. So many emotions that stay tucked away neatly so that life can go on released. Thank you.
literally in tears ... and that speaks volumes - as I thought I'd lost the ability to be moved by something other than my own self-pity. thank you, Mr. Mali - for making me feel... and for forcing me to face (and admit to) the self absorbed bullshit that I throw out in sound-bites - that my husband must bear, accept and pray never comes to fruition.
I first started listening to his poetry when i was a bullied kid in school who avoided going to class at any cost. the poem what teachers make made appreciate all the teachers that did encourage me and reach out to me and I ended up graduating with honors. Now I am in university and the other night I had to drink myself into a coma to take the edge off the stress and anxiety. I dropped out of uni a few years back after multiple successful suicide attempts but went back and now despite my depression I have a wonderful man in my life and I deeply enjoy my studies. He might never actually know the difference his words made in my life but its important to me to give credit where its due.
I began this because it was Mr. Mali and I love Mr. Mali's work. Shortly into it I decided I would not like it, but that I would continue watching. And then I fell in love with the heart break.
You made me laugh and now you've made me want to cry and I practically want to worship you. I'm majoring in English too and I can only hope that when I'm done with it all, I can come out of it with the same mastery of words you've managed to attain
There is so much meaning in this poem, so much more than I've ever heard. There are jokes, light tones and romantic euphemisms, but oh so much pain. You don't realise that the woman is dead until he outright says it. This is my favourite of all of Taylor's poems. I love his poems because they make me laugh, and they make me cry, all at the same time.
It's unfathomable to me, how this can strike so many of us soo deeply.. Not that it's wrong to feel the emotions with this, but the fact that so many people feel this way in life.. Including myself. Great work Mr.Mali.
When he said he was waiting for her letter to come, I knew he was wishing for a movie experience, when the dead leave behind their most precious belonging, a wedding photo, perhaps, in their spouses closet, for them to find, years later, and have a flashback of the day they first met. And the man would clutch it to his heart and cry softly, a smile would find his lips, and all would be content. But life isn't like that. Those we love never leave us, but they also never come back. Thank you.
Taylor you are phenomenal. You really hook people into your stories by capturing their imagination. You draw a vivid picture with words. I find it beyond amazing. You are my current favorite poet due to your intellect and profoundness. I would like to see some more crazy analogies. Keep it up brotha.
I wish I could express the sympathy and the feelings that I have after experiencing this part of your world.. I am a huge fan (an even bigger one now) filled with respect for your creative outlet of emotion. Thank you for letting us in. I know how hard it can be to cope and you sir have done a fantastic job.
Beautiful poem. The letter part reminded me of that movie where that mom kept 365 letter from her daughter that were sent to her daughter from her boyfriend..
I couldn't find this written out anywhere online so I transcribed it for myself a few years ago. Still one of my favourite poems ever! Right up there with Leonard Cohen.
I don't think there is anything I could write here that could equal the emotion I felt after watching this. To plagiarize from those before me (although, if it's many, isn't it just research?): "Wow...that is all I can think to say." And sometime in life I hope to attain "the same mastery of words you've managed to." Poetry has always been a big part of my life, but yours makes mine feel like nursery rhymes. Wow. Just wow.
This might be my favorite. As soon as I write that I remember Love Without Limit, Question, or Warning, which haunts me just as much, but tonight this is my favorite.
It is hard for me to hear the poems that he has written about suicide....when I listen to it, as self-obsorbed as this may sound (and I appologise in advance if it does sound so), I can't help if some of the same thoughts have run through my lover's mind, after a time when I've tried to do the same thing that this woman did in Mr. Mali's tales. Taylor Mali is a wonderful story teller. His poems have no need to rhyme, and they take you so far. It is a shame there aren't many people like him.
With every video of his I open up on my computer, I am entertained. Yet, at the end of each and every single one, I am left angry. HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO DAMN TALENTED WHEN I STRUGGLE SO HARD TO WRITE ONE DAMN ESSAY? I admire your skills, talent, and style but will forever hate you for being so damn good.
So sad... so beautiful... Does anyone know where to get a copy of the text? (I tried Mali's own website, but the links don't work anymore.) I'd appreciate any info. Thanks!
Actually, I've never forgotten it; I just chose to use the trope of forgetting so I could have access to the phrase "for the life of me." His name was Kent Dean. I don't know is he played for the Dallas Cowboys, but here's a 30-year-old article about him: newsok.com/article/2203620 I could imitate his voice so well that I could pretend to be him on the phone to his employees!
Having lost my husband of 16 years at the "oh my he was soooo young" age of 43, every word Mr. Mali says echoes in my heart. I too, still wait for the letter, a sign, a padded envelope.
In all of his poems there is always one line that really gets me... in this it's "Although I still think you cheated". This man is beautiful and I would like to thank him for sharing himself with us.
I lost my brother to suicide 34 years ago and it still feels so raw. This was beautiful and heartbreaking and I understand it completely.
So, I have stayed up for 2 hours watching these videos. This one hurt the most. A friend of mine jumped off of an 8 story parking deck at our school 3 years ago and I never had any closure from her. No note, call, or text. She was looking forward to her 21st birthday the following week. It's not the same as a spouse, but it still hurts. So many emotions that stay tucked away neatly so that life can go on released. Thank you.
literally in tears ... and that speaks volumes - as I thought I'd lost the ability to be moved by something other than my own self-pity.
thank you, Mr. Mali - for making me feel... and for forcing me to face (and admit to) the self absorbed bullshit that I throw out in sound-bites - that my husband must bear, accept and pray never comes to fruition.
It’s been 13 years. I hope you are doing well
That was really moving and amazing as someone who has witness and experienced the effects of depression I have to say you got it spot on
"each day my breath arrived with the mail'. wow!
This man is a great poet. Beautiful.
3 people didn't believe "squinters" was an actual word.
This may be my favorite thing. Ever. So. F*cking. Amazing.
This and "What Teachers Make" make me cry EVERY TIME. And yet I watch them, over and over and over again.
I love the emotion you put in your poetry.
You are fantastic.
I first started listening to his poetry when i was a bullied kid in school who avoided going to class at any cost. the poem what teachers make made appreciate all the teachers that did encourage me and reach out to me and I ended up graduating with honors. Now I am in university and the other night I had to drink myself into a coma to take the edge off the stress and anxiety. I dropped out of uni a few years back after multiple successful suicide attempts but went back and now despite my depression I have a wonderful man in my life and I deeply enjoy my studies. He might never actually know the difference his words made in my life but its important to me to give credit where its due.
I did get a note.... I've often thought it would be easier without it because i can't argue with words on a page once the writer has left.
The poems he writes about this woman are the most beautiful poems I've ever heard or read...
I began this because it was Mr. Mali and I love Mr. Mali's work. Shortly into it I decided I would not like it, but that I would continue watching. And then I fell in love with the heart break.
You made me laugh and now you've made me want to cry and I practically want to worship you. I'm majoring in English too and I can only hope that when I'm done with it all, I can come out of it with the same mastery of words you've managed to attain
There is so much meaning in this poem, so much more than I've ever heard. There are jokes, light tones and romantic euphemisms, but oh so much pain. You don't realise that the woman is dead until he outright says it.
This is my favourite of all of Taylor's poems. I love his poems because they make me laugh, and they make me cry, all at the same time.
It's unfathomable to me, how this can strike so many of us soo deeply.. Not that it's wrong to feel the emotions with this, but the fact that so many people feel this way in life.. Including myself. Great work Mr.Mali.
When he said he was waiting for her letter to come, I knew he was wishing for a movie experience, when the dead leave behind their most precious belonging, a wedding photo, perhaps, in their spouses closet, for them to find, years later, and have a flashback of the day they first met. And the man would clutch it to his heart and cry softly, a smile would find his lips, and all would be content. But life isn't like that. Those we love never leave us, but they also never come back. Thank you.
Taylor you are phenomenal. You really hook people into your stories by capturing their imagination. You draw a vivid picture with words. I find it beyond amazing. You are my current favorite poet due to your intellect and profoundness. I would like to see some more crazy analogies. Keep it up brotha.
Thank you. No, this poem is not in a book yet. I have a collection of all my poems about Rebecca's death, but it's dark.
Taylor Mali we’re not afraid of the dark here.
I wish I could express the sympathy and the feelings that I have after experiencing this part of your world.. I am a huge fan (an even bigger one now) filled with respect for your creative outlet of emotion. Thank you for letting us in. I know how hard it can be to cope and you sir have done a fantastic job.
oh mr mali i wish you knew how much this spoke to me
Beautiful poem. The letter part reminded me of that movie where that mom kept 365 letter from her daughter that were sent to her daughter from her boyfriend..
I couldn't find this written out anywhere online so I transcribed it for myself a few years ago. Still one of my favourite poems ever! Right up there with Leonard Cohen.
i love how he writes these poems as if they were conversations with her.
I don't think there is anything I could write here that could equal the emotion I felt after watching this.
To plagiarize from those before me (although, if it's many, isn't it just research?):
"Wow...that is all I can think to say."
And sometime in life I hope to attain "the same mastery of words you've managed to."
Poetry has always been a big part of my life, but yours makes mine feel like nursery rhymes.
Wow. Just wow.
Unexpected and moving...and I think Misterate, we can remember him as great right now!
@Brooque613 "Poetry has always been a big part of my life, but yours makes mine feel like nursery rhymes.".... perfect words.
this is so sad. you have great poems
This might be my favorite. As soon as I write that I remember Love Without Limit, Question, or Warning, which haunts me just as much, but tonight this is my favorite.
It is hard for me to hear the poems that he has written about suicide....when I listen to it, as self-obsorbed as this may sound (and I appologise in advance if it does sound so), I can't help if some of the same thoughts have run through my lover's mind, after a time when I've tried to do the same thing that this woman did in Mr. Mali's tales. Taylor Mali is a wonderful story teller. His poems have no need to rhyme, and they take you so far. It is a shame there aren't many people like him.
I have seen both of them. :D I've watched everything of his posted on youtube. It's all brilliant, but this one remains my favorite.
With every video of his I open up on my computer, I am entertained. Yet, at the end of each and every single one, I am left angry. HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO DAMN TALENTED WHEN I STRUGGLE SO HARD TO WRITE ONE DAMN ESSAY? I admire your skills, talent, and style but will forever hate you for being so damn good.
i like your poetry!
@C0wT1pp3r :D He came to our school today and talked the "Miracle Workers", "What Teachers Make", and "Speak with Conviction :)
This is amazing. Thats really all I can say, this is amazing.
incredible
so sad. so sweet
I want to cry everytime I hear this. ='[
Wow, this is too good.
huuuge respect!
In "Depression Too Is A Type Of Fire" the line for me is "call me your knight in shattered armor"
So sad... so beautiful...
Does anyone know where to get a copy of the text? (I tried Mali's own website, but the links don't work anymore.) I'd appreciate any info. Thanks!
Utter magic.
holy shit that was good
stunning...
HOW IN THIS WORLD can such deep words come out of someone's mouth???? While the most deep word that will come out of my mouth is: snail.
Agreed.
WOW!
deep.....
Makes you wonder exactly what he means by that in the context of which it was spoken huh? Double meanings with power right there.
I'm still alive.
whoa
@lystmilitary91 Watch his poem called Entire Act of Sorrow then watch this one again. I think you will understand then. Peace.
3 people were crying too hard to see that they had pressed the wrong button
"voice like a driveway" ftw
WOW!
deep.....
is this autobiographical?
You've stolen my emotions and taken them on a wild rollar coaster ride of ups and downs... I'm not sue if I want them back.
@iluvmysk8erboi26 The Notebook
that was, not to sound stoned, deep
Who disliked this? Must be some kids playing around. *extra like*
@detroit2g yes.
did you ever figure out the name?
Actually, I've never forgotten it; I just chose to use the trope of forgetting so I could have access to the phrase "for the life of me." His name was Kent Dean. I don't know is he played for the Dallas Cowboys, but here's a 30-year-old article about him: newsok.com/article/2203620
I could imitate his voice so well that I could pretend to be him on the phone to his employees!
Oh my god, that's almost too much
BAWWWW lol BAWWW
Is this his wife that he is speaking of? It is too, too sad.
I'm cheating.
i dont get this poem, really what is he saying.
@detroit2g yes.