I reconciled with my on again/off again father in 2002 when I was 23. It was a conscious choice. I just decided that I'd rather have a flawed father in my life than no father at all. About three years later, we watched this and both of us cried. I mean, ugly cried. J. Ivy kinda filled in some blanks we couldn't. Only time I ever saw my father cry. He passed away in 2008...just 51 years old. But the cool thing about it was, those six years we got together...you know how they say time heals all wounds? Well time does that and also erases a lot of bad things if you have enough good embedded in your memory. We had six great years as father and son, as well as two friends. What I'm saying is...it's been 9 1/2 years since I lost my father, my friend. Things aren't always perfect, but if you have a chance, make peace with your father, your son, your mother, your daughter, your friends. We only get one go round on this Earth, and there's no reset button.
Definitely cried, though I'm grown man, no shame in it. Dad didn't see me graduate HS...never called on birthdays or Christmas. I persevered. He didn't come to my college graduation either, the degree my mom paid for and pushed me despite all of the financial and emotional stress. I'm set to get my Masters this May despite not having my father in my life to help me in any way. I forgive him, but will never forget. My mother will always be my rock, while my father will be sand.
I am sitting here alone, crying now. This poem is straight from the soul. It is direct and powerful. His words, his delivery, his voice - everything is so honest. I felt his pain. I think that he can feel a little better after having shared his pain with so many people. I will take on some of your beautiful pain, my brother.
I love how he let's strangers into his life, simply by him speaking truth of his life... I slam poetry too but I just can't have a room full of strangers know me better then I know myself.
This makes me think about my dad and how he sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. Even though the poem relates to a different up bringing I'm proud to say that my father was always there for us and would take a bullet for any of us without a hesitation. I love you pops.
The 24 people who disliked the video grew up with their fathers. With that said-you ARE the lucky ones. To the rest of us, we ARE blessed to have made it this far. Thanks Mom. God bless.
Potent. Absolutely enthralling. Respect to this man for baring his soul and not being afraid to scream out his pain like a little boy. J. Ivy is real. He shows that men are often little boys inside trying to figure out how to be a man and work through their pain. Props to his mother for her sacrifices. God bless this wonderful talent. Peace.
I felt like he shouted so the whole world could hear when he told his dad: ''YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE''. This entire piece and J's delivery of it are the Best!!
O my, o my. I can listen to this message over and over, blessed u are J. Ivy. Those 23 ppl that dislike this message or the messenger, you must have a great relationship with both mom and dad. Make sure u let them know before this poem becomes reality to you. Every one has an opinion, just like an asshole, some are jus bigger than others.... With dat said, this poem is deep az hell. stop, rewind, play. Stop, rewind, and play, again n again.
This is so true, im dealing with this same issue now with my son's father so I sent this to him so he can realize this is a potential pain he can cause his child.I am crying
i still remember dad, how you pushed ma...i used to sit back and think how could you do this to an angel. My love for you is still the same, might have gone through a change but in the end it never fades.
"Why weren't we together? Mah coulda found a new man but where was I gunna find a new dad?" ..Being a child of divorce at the age of 4, reading this touched me on a level I didn't even know existed inside of me.. I bawled and just had to sit and really meditate over the powers of his words.. The archetype of wanting so badly to BE A MAN but never having had a role model that WAS A MAN is so hard to struggle with though all stages of life.. ..Potent indeed..
omg i cried on this one...family cuts deeper than surgery..in my native country they say nomatter what blood pulls which means nomatter what the bond the affection one feels for their family never really goes away...beautiful
Wow tell me that didn't touch you! I'm actually sitting here tearing up right now. That is a page out of to many of our lives. I applaud you Mr. J. Ivy that was awesome.
Wow tell me that didn't touch you!! I'm actually sitting here tearing up. That is a page out of to many of our lives. That was right on time J.Ivy I applaud you.
This man is magnificent & truly a divine blessing to the world. All ya'll going through - I wish abundant peace for your past & clarity for your future. I've got so much love for ya'll - -
what a courageous strong man to nail a poem like that and deliver it live to a bunch of strangers. It made me feel to almost cry but no tears came. I cried inside as he rang so many bells in my head. But the whole package made me feel stronger. What an awesome person this man is.
@mamah18 Im the exact same way my Dad hasn't been the father he should have been but he's still alive. I feel this guy so much. I like how he said " I'll scream so loud I'll move the clouds out of the way of my sunshine, cuz that's what you are, my sunshine." this is beaut straight from the heart of a angel.
My one true unforgettable lost was never knowing my father. I cried when he died because I never knew him, I was 16 years old when he died and I had only met him a year earlier. Men find a to mend that bond! Real talk.
I'm speechless...as a poet i understand how words can be turned into emotion and the raindrops of letters can make ones heart melt but this guy here...kilt it
tears are rolling down my cheeks as we speak.. this hit my heart head on... rest in peace to my dad...as he said i cant wait to jump into your arms in heaven :(
"struggling to get you off my mind but I can't even get you off my face"
"...I try to get you off my mind...but I cant get you off my face.."
damn...before I knew it...was sitting here teary eyed...
I just showed this poem to my classes and it touched them all. Bravo J. Ivy!!!
fwhayes0704 ♥
I reconciled with my on again/off again father in 2002 when I was 23. It was a conscious choice. I just decided that I'd rather have a flawed father in my life than no father at all. About three years later, we watched this and both of us cried. I mean, ugly cried. J. Ivy kinda filled in some blanks we couldn't. Only time I ever saw my father cry. He passed away in 2008...just 51 years old. But the cool thing about it was, those six years we got together...you know how they say time heals all wounds? Well time does that and also erases a lot of bad things if you have enough good embedded in your memory. We had six great years as father and son, as well as two friends. What I'm saying is...it's been 9 1/2 years since I lost my father, my friend. Things aren't always perfect, but if you have a chance, make peace with your father, your son, your mother, your daughter, your friends. We only get one go round on this Earth, and there's no reset button.
This is great man, happy you got that chance, sometimes forgiveness and understanding is the best way to go
I'm so happy for you that you had that time with him.
Definitely cried, though I'm grown man, no shame in it. Dad didn't see me graduate HS...never called on birthdays or Christmas. I persevered. He didn't come to my college graduation either, the degree my mom paid for and pushed me despite all of the financial and emotional stress. I'm set to get my Masters this May despite not having my father in my life to help me in any way. I forgive him, but will never forget. My mother will always be my rock, while my father will be sand.
I like the college dropout t-shirt, i wonder if it was gifted to him for participating in the album
I am sitting here alone, crying now. This poem is straight from the soul. It is direct and powerful. His words, his delivery, his voice - everything is so honest. I felt his pain. I think that he can feel a little better after having shared his pain with so many people. I will take on some of your beautiful pain, my brother.
"I try to get you off of my mind but I cant get you off of my face"
my dad died when i was 12 in 2002. think about him everyday. This hit hard 15 years ago when it came out on HBO. Still hits hard today. RIP dad
I love how he let's strangers into his life, simply by him speaking truth of his life... I slam poetry too but I just can't have a room full of strangers know me better then I know myself.
This makes me think about my dad and how he sacrificed so much for my brothers and I. Even though the poem relates to a different up bringing I'm proud to say that my father was always there for us and would take a bullet for any of us without a hesitation. I love you pops.
The 24 people who disliked the video grew up with their fathers. With that said-you ARE the lucky ones. To the rest of us, we ARE blessed to have made it this far. Thanks Mom. God bless.
This really game me goosebumps... the feels are strong.
THAT WAS DEEP
Potent. Absolutely enthralling. Respect to this man for baring his soul and not being afraid to scream out his pain like a little boy. J. Ivy is real. He shows that men are often little boys inside trying to figure out how to be a man and work through their pain. Props to his mother for her sacrifices. God bless this wonderful talent.
Peace.
I’ve been watching this for 16 years and it still brings me to tears.
Yo this made me ugly cry
I felt like he shouted so the whole world could hear when he told his dad: ''YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE''. This entire piece and J's delivery of it are the Best!!
O my, o my. I can listen to this message over and over, blessed u are J. Ivy. Those 23 ppl that dislike this message or the messenger, you must have a great relationship with both mom and dad. Make sure u let them know before this poem becomes reality to you. Every one has an opinion, just like an asshole, some are jus bigger than others.... With dat said, this poem is deep az hell. stop, rewind, play. Stop, rewind, and play, again n again.
I did shed 1 tear .... I can relate ...good poem ....great expression ! ! !
This is so true, im dealing with this same issue now with my son's father so I sent this to him so he can realize this is a potential pain he can cause his child.I am crying
i still remember dad, how you pushed ma...i used to sit back and think how could you do this to an angel. My love for you is still the same, might have gone through a change but in the end it never fades.
"Why weren't we together? Mah coulda found a new man but where was I gunna find a new dad?"
..Being a child of divorce at the age of 4, reading this touched me on a level I didn't even know existed inside of me.. I bawled and just had to sit and really meditate over the powers of his words.. The archetype of wanting so badly to BE A MAN but never having had a role model that WAS A MAN is so hard to struggle with though all stages of life..
..Potent indeed..
I am going to write again!
Absolutely AWEZOME! I felt his pain, he is REAL!!!
by far the best hbo def poetry poem ever !!! powerful
ive watched this at least 10 times in a year and have yet to not cry
omg i cried on this one...family cuts deeper than surgery..in my native country they say nomatter what blood pulls which means nomatter what the bond the affection one feels for their family never really goes away...beautiful
I agree, I didn't even know that tears were rolling down my face until it was over.
beautiful beautiful poem.
Wow tell me that didn't touch you! I'm actually sitting here tearing up right now. That is a page out of to many of our lives. I applaud you Mr. J. Ivy that was awesome.
all of us who lost our dads can relate... i got teary eyed too...
even tho my dad is not dead, nor was he ever violent towards my mom, this poem touches me....because sometimes all i need is a call or a hug....
Wow tell me that didn't touch you!! I'm actually sitting here tearing up. That is a page out of to many of our lives. That was right on time J.Ivy I applaud you.
He was in my school yesterday night for a Martin Luther King Vigil surprisingly he is great friends with my teacher and they grew up together.
Met this guy @ Longwood University. Dude is brilliant and extremely supportive of younger poets.
Here I go again. Listening for the umptienth time. I know most of the words spoken in J. Ivy's convo with to his DAD!!!!
Nothing changes that fact that he just wanted a father. No matter how bad he was or what he did, a boy always wants a father
I got snot comin out my nose from the tears🤧😭😭
I cried in beauty school when I heard this four years ago this morning I just typed the tittle in this make the hair on my arms stand 😫❤️❤️☮️☮️❤️❤️
This man is magnificent & truly a divine blessing to the world.
All ya'll going through - I wish abundant peace for your past & clarity for your future. I've got so much love for ya'll - -
Dear Father.....hear the cry of a man's voidness for his earthly dad.....O' my goodness!
Good stuff. This got me inspired to write again.
I never met my father. But in order to live my I had to forgive him and love him to remove my demons about him.
His book is just as powerful..... Now I feel his words comes to life!!
he flows with what he know, and he shows his to expression, connecting to people threw his words, man thats a true blessin.
i grew up without a dad. that "i can get you off my mind but i cant get you off my face" line got me...
Dam the passion and heart in those words and the love hung on through all that..I felt it and lived it..Miss You My Dad..
beyond words. Your words are so powerful. i can't stop crying
i just here and cried my eyes out listenin to him... i feel the same way bout my dad...the pain just never goes away, after so many years..
Bless your soul. YOu have helped so many people heal. Thank You.
i NEVER get tears in my eyes...this did it for me.
Met this man when I was just 13 (now 22)... So much depth. Love it.
this by far .. is my favourite
i LOVE this .. very touching
loved it! its so rare that i cry when things are sad, or even laugh when its meant to be funny...but this one, got a few tears out of me.
woow😱 powerful!
wooow. with tears in my eyes, all i can think is AMAZING..SIMPLY AMAZING...
WOW!!! so strong i love this! wow! i wanna meet this man! he could tell me stories for days!!!!
Woah.. His words, voice and body movement is so powerful.. I can't stop crying.. It takes a real man to forgive someone. Bless your soul J.
You have a great teacher. straight up. This is real life.
WOW..speechless. teary eyed after that.
what a courageous strong man to nail a poem like that and deliver it live to a bunch of strangers. It made me feel to almost cry but no tears came. I cried inside as he rang so many bells in my head. But the whole package made me feel stronger. What an awesome person this man is.
Tears flowing....WOW!!!
most definitely one of the best. it has so much soul and emotion.
well damn...im crying is anyone else....beautiful beautiful heartfelt piece
when I was in 6th grade I didn't understand and we were laughing in class and now its really lyrical
I wish this still went on. There are some great poets who could contribute a lot, I could totally see John Forte on here.
@mamah18
Im the exact same way my Dad hasn't been the father he should have been but he's still alive. I feel this guy so much. I like how he said " I'll scream so loud I'll move the clouds out of the way of my sunshine, cuz that's what you are, my sunshine." this is beaut straight from the heart of a angel.
So many emotions put into words, amazing.
Man. This so the best poem ive ever heard. This brotha is truly gifted
almost cried with that one. beautiful.
I had chills after watching it . It's so deep and real . You gotta love it . Much love to my mans J. Ivy .
Def. Made Me Shed A Tear. He Was On A DEEP Level. I Love This.
My one true unforgettable lost was never knowing my father. I cried when he died because I never knew him, I was 16 years old when he died and I had only met him a year earlier. Men find a to mend that bond! Real talk.
That damn near bought tears to my eyes...
Every time I watch this I try to hold back tears but always end up crying at the end.
Absolute beauty. Gave me goosebumps the whole way through.
damn that just hits you straight to the heart no matter what situation you grew up in
tearing up!!! hit toooo close to home!
I'm speechless...as a poet i understand how words can be turned into emotion and the raindrops of letters can make ones heart melt but this guy here...kilt it
One of my favorite poems of all time
Beyond words, yet he did it! Deep
this is such a beautiful piece.
tears are rolling down my cheeks as we speak.. this hit my heart head on... rest in peace to my dad...as he said i cant wait to jump into your arms in heaven :(
I can’t stop watching this
by FAR THE BEST SPOKE WORD I'VE SEEN ON UA-cam #POWERFUL
absolutely brilliant
ooo...i didnt know he was on that song..but i love it..j. ivy is awesome..
Wrenchingly beautiful.
I can't believe that people dislike this! I guess opinions truly are like assholes; everybody has one! This was beyond awesome!
how can u not like this its said 22 heartless people
the whole How did santa claus find me pretty much touched me because it showed how innocent he seemed at such a bad time.
Omg I cried. This is powerful beyond imaginable.
Goosebumps and tears. Amazing. :)
so beautiful!!!
---im crying. . .
this is soOo great!
it touched me soOo much!
Omg, this was so touching!
It made me cry!
AMAZING!
This is insane, this is so fucking real
OMG.... This is sooo good! It had me in tears!
Thats amazing. It gave me a little piece of something I never had experienced and made me realize what a lot of people feel. Awesome.