Ollie Schminkey - Two Twin Beds

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  • Опубліковано 29 жов 2024
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    Ollie Schminkey, performing at NPS 2014 in Oakland, CA.
    Volunteers needed! Help choose videos for Button: bit.ly/ButtonC...
    About Button:
    Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
    We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 154

  • @ButtonPoetry
    @ButtonPoetry  10 років тому +811

    NOTE: Ollie uses gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/their). We encourage discussion in the comments, but please respect Ollie's preferred gender pronouns when referring to them. 

    • @achilleus9918
      @achilleus9918 7 років тому +2

      Closet Time it literally says in the comment you're replying to: them.

  • @eatyosalads1548
    @eatyosalads1548 7 років тому +158

    the microphone makes the shape of a tie on their shirt and it really completes the look

    • @warpstarr
      @warpstarr 6 років тому +1

      eatyosalads it really does😂😂

    • @babyboyriley8214
      @babyboyriley8214 4 роки тому +3

      Wait I've thought it was a tie the whole time

  • @punkybrewstar83
    @punkybrewstar83 10 років тому +130

    "I don't need her to be sorry, I just need her to be listening".... perfect

  • @mickeyb4441
    @mickeyb4441 9 років тому +84

    "I have cried so often in my life that it is no longer exciting or dangerous" Yasss Ollie. You get me so much it's scary!

  • @BAMFrankie
    @BAMFrankie 10 років тому +90

    "My life is a shitty job that she's never been poor enough to have to keep" my gosh, yes.

  • @lethality1992
    @lethality1992 8 років тому +65

    "It is so easy to talk about what a shame it is when you've never had to feel ashamed of claiming the word survivor."

  • @ssunootonin
    @ssunootonin 9 років тому +82

    "Suffering is not a contest."
    Feels game too strong

  • @PeytonLeigh30
    @PeytonLeigh30 10 років тому +121

    Ollie is one of my absolute favorite poets OF ALL TIME. So amazing.

  • @RaRobyn
    @RaRobyn 10 років тому +61

    *Ollie's work is always so brilliant and heartbreaking. They always have a way of making their message so powerful and "understandable" (as much as you can understand someone else's suffering). I just hope they never stop writing and performing poetry :)*

  • @fruitsbasketmangalov
    @fruitsbasketmangalov 10 років тому +70

    God, Ollie's poetry always astounds me. They're really incredible.
    Also, extreme respect for Button Poetry for commenting their preferred pronouns, seriously. Props, dudes.

  • @jennifersmyth6301
    @jennifersmyth6301 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much for this. I remember and it happened 45 years ago!!!! 45!!!

  • @goldfinger4953
    @goldfinger4953 9 років тому +28

    Each line more quotable and powerful than the next.

  • @lemmon3
    @lemmon3 10 років тому +18

    I'm so glad the comments section is supportive. This is a really tough thing to talk about. Great poem, Ollie.

  • @yvanagarcia8256
    @yvanagarcia8256 9 років тому +65

    "how do I tell her that sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing?"
    couldn't have said it better myself.

  • @Kitkatrh
    @Kitkatrh 10 років тому +29

    I love their poems so much.

  • @dakotaranijones4403
    @dakotaranijones4403 4 роки тому +3

    5 years later and this poem still has my all time favourite quote "this conversation is not an easy one. but easy and worthwhile are not synonyms" wow.

  • @OshysAngel
    @OshysAngel 9 років тому +9

    This moved me, not just because it was so powerful but because I was once where Ollie is now. I was that survivor still trying to work through the trauma. You will get there, keep believing that, and know that you are strong.

  • @maddie.bolland.7
    @maddie.bolland.7 10 років тому +7

    I love the way that Ollie reads. Their voice is beautiful, with just the right amount of texture and rasp. The way that they give off so much genuine emotion… You live Ollie's poem with them.

  • @kathrynsharkey9530
    @kathrynsharkey9530 8 років тому +4

    Ive watched this probably at least 50 times and I still cry every time I do. They are such a beautiful poet.

  • @maxximumdawn
    @maxximumdawn 10 років тому +6

    They're so brave for writing this. The rawness and pain and love is inspiring. Ollie, just wow.

  • @kromine18
    @kromine18 10 років тому +19

    This poem really speaks to me. It is like Ollie went right into my mind. "She doesn't have to leave the theatre during the rape scene, the trigger warning does not apply to her." "My rapist' face is everywhere." Of course I never wish this on anyone, but you wish a certain degree of empathy, not pity. Overall amazing.

  • @TheNeonluvr
    @TheNeonluvr 10 років тому +5

    Ollie is such a beautiful person, their words have such a catch, so raw, so real.

  • @sbalfre
    @sbalfre 3 роки тому +2

    Ollie speaks so powerfully, their words left me crying.

  • @ashleytambungaratcliff8682
    @ashleytambungaratcliff8682 10 років тому +12

    I absolutely love their passion. In every one of Ollie's poems, eyes are opened to different sides of issues we hear every day. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to relate all the time to my husband, but they definitely put it in perspective: being able to relate is not the same as understanding. Sometimes you want to relate to what hurts your lover, but you won't be able to. The understanding Ollie has with their partner is beautiful, and many couples could benefit from this kind of sentiment. Bravo, Ollie, and thank you.

  • @TheBriell02
    @TheBriell02 10 років тому +8

    Hands down one of the best poems I've ever heard. Their way with words was incredible.

  • @TazBoi5
    @TazBoi5 10 років тому +6

    "How do I explain to her that sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing?"
    Ollie is amazing and absolutely love all of their work.

  • @justiceclarke895
    @justiceclarke895 10 років тому +4

    They are such an amazing poet they give me chills every time

  • @olyolyoxenfreee
    @olyolyoxenfreee 9 років тому +1

    Ollies poems are a great example of how powerful words can be. They always leave me speechless.

  • @zoesucks9590
    @zoesucks9590 10 років тому +2

    Ollie's poems will forever by favorites. They never fail to amaze me, to make me shiver and feel.

  • @meganlowe9281
    @meganlowe9281 6 років тому +1

    This is by far my favourite poem ever. I love the power and strength in their voice as well as their message. This means so much to me as I can relate and understand what they are going through and has went through. I am proud of them for their bravery to speak, step, and stand out. ❤️ I watch this whenever I’m struggling and it always helps me. Thank you, Ollie.

  • @GTvonRufflBum
    @GTvonRufflBum 9 років тому +6

    This actually made me cry. I relate to it so much and it's so validating to hear these thoughts put into words and spoken so well.

  • @chasestreetman7314
    @chasestreetman7314 10 років тому +9

    They're just so damn good at conveying how a moment feels.

  • @JonnyBoy171617
    @JonnyBoy171617 9 років тому +3

    Ollie's poetry is ALWAYS AMAZING! That is the only word I can think of to even remotely describe their work, simply amazing. They just have such a way with words that evokes an emotional response! Ollie, you are one kick ass person!

  • @emilyelizabeth6245
    @emilyelizabeth6245 10 років тому +2

    I don't think I'll ever forget this poem

  • @sthepannylavanwaycruz9162
    @sthepannylavanwaycruz9162 8 років тому +1

    Ollie's poems are often the only thing that keep me sane. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Their poems deserve a lot more attention honestly.

  • @stellannie86
    @stellannie86 8 років тому +2

    Ollie.. How do you always make me cry..?! ❤

  • @jackr5056
    @jackr5056 10 років тому +6

    Ollie is amazing, absolutely adore their words

  • @EmileighRadicke
    @EmileighRadicke 10 років тому +1

    Ollie... You've stunned me again with your words. Thank you. And thank you Button Poetry for sharing them!

  • @arlieklaasse7048
    @arlieklaasse7048 8 років тому +9

    Oh my god I love their poems.

  • @WeirdOmens
    @WeirdOmens 8 років тому +2

    This moved me so much I'm crying.

  • @bennytoe
    @bennytoe 9 років тому +4

    for some reason i always find myself gravitating towards this poem. just want to give credit where it is due and express how much i think they did at great job with this piece. THANK YOU for giving it to us.

  • @phoebeshabra
    @phoebeshabra 10 років тому +34

    "sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing." kills me.

  • @Red-ce4qt
    @Red-ce4qt 10 років тому

    Ollie is one of my favorites.. everything they say is so raw and powerful.

  • @adioshra
    @adioshra 10 років тому +1

    Olli, if you read this, i just wanted to say i feel that way too. thank you. lots of hugs.

  • @lilymesterhazy9406
    @lilymesterhazy9406 10 років тому +2

    Ollie's poetry is always so incredible

  • @Rin_3773
    @Rin_3773 6 років тому

    I may not have gone through what they are saying but I started to cry because I could feel the emotion in myself so I thank you for this

  • @SilverFlame819
    @SilverFlame819 9 років тому +8

    That was FANTASTIC.

  • @kimpowley4387
    @kimpowley4387 10 років тому

    This brought tears to my eyes, Ollie's poems are powerful and I love listening to them.

  • @artemis4935
    @artemis4935 9 років тому +1

    ollie's poetry is so beautiful. i love their work it's so amazing i feel a strong connection with every one of their words. bless ya ollie.

  • @bethebelle2810
    @bethebelle2810 10 років тому +1

    Ollie's work is definitely at the top of my favorites list.

  • @hunterellisisaac6330
    @hunterellisisaac6330 7 років тому

    My friend introduced me to Ollie and I'm obsessed, they're so powerful in how they speak.

  • @haileyanguiano6922
    @haileyanguiano6922 9 років тому +16

    favorite line: "but my life is a shitty job she has never been poor enough to have to keep."

  • @suzanneogrady6006
    @suzanneogrady6006 9 років тому +1

    Absolutely incredible.... You have put words to what I have never been able to say, thought me about a language I didn't even know I was speaking, and brought clarity to a tragedy that too many of us have to experience. You are incredible.

  • @SerenaVampire734
    @SerenaVampire734 10 років тому +5

    Really tough stuff. I'm looking into more videos and their poetry is really fantastic and thought-provoking. Great stuff!

  • @isaisaisabelbel9426
    @isaisaisabelbel9426 10 років тому

    That poem was so beautiful, so raw, and so important. Ollie's truly amazing.

  • @Riviwriter
    @Riviwriter 10 років тому

    "And I could just collapse and know the silence is not an easy one." Damn Ollie you blow me away every time. I cannot describe what it feels like to listen to this poem and understand how they're feeling. Ollie, you are an inspiration

  • @GabbyImperato
    @GabbyImperato 10 років тому +5

    i really enjoyed how this poem kinda had a 'happy ending' :)

  • @jademansbridge8751
    @jademansbridge8751 10 років тому +2

    i can't get over how powerful this is

  • @IsaoAcseo
    @IsaoAcseo 10 років тому +1

    Ollie is so amazing, I felt every moment of this piece.

  • @ugunigais4
    @ugunigais4 10 років тому +10

    I love all of their poems but this one speaks to me on a whole another level and i can't stop thinking abut it.

  • @taurusbabyyyy
    @taurusbabyyyy 8 років тому +2

    I've never related to something so hard, Ollie thank you for making me feel alittle less alone.

  • @purplepoppy07
    @purplepoppy07 10 років тому +2

    I am sobbing in the college library.

  • @hellkid5500
    @hellkid5500 9 років тому

    Ollie is honestly amazing, i love their poems so, so much. and i really connect to this one.

  • @theillogicalpunk5752
    @theillogicalpunk5752 5 років тому

    I adore there work ollie is so talented I cant express how much this poem helped me come to terms with what happened to me.

  • @artk1ng
    @artk1ng 10 років тому +1

    I love Ollie. Their poems are...amazing.

  • @p4tytimez
    @p4tytimez 9 років тому

    Ollie will always be my favorite.

  • @Liltinyhuman
    @Liltinyhuman 9 років тому

    One of the best poems I've heard in a long time

  • @faythmarie6787
    @faythmarie6787 8 років тому

    Ollie you have showed me that not every single human is not the same. We all have different Ts. My friend Sally introduced me to you and wow am I glad.

  • @ErinAnastasia
    @ErinAnastasia 10 років тому +8

    Love you Ollie

  • @sweesbees
    @sweesbees Місяць тому

    "pity: the emotion that feasts while it talks about the starving" is a line i still think about, holy shit

  • @candycane1905
    @candycane1905 10 років тому

    ollie always writes such beautiful poems

  • @solarplexusbunny
    @solarplexusbunny 10 років тому +1

    THIS IS AMAZING I'M CRYIN'

  • @bluekissedgalaxies
    @bluekissedgalaxies 9 років тому

    I love Ollie so much, their poems are so amazing

  • @jasminehoran4541
    @jasminehoran4541 10 років тому

    This is truly amazing Ollie you are one of my favourites

  • @reguluscummins878
    @reguluscummins878 Рік тому +1

    woah. WOAH. I’ve never related to a poem more.

  • @UghLauren
    @UghLauren 10 років тому

    This is so powerful. And all too relatable

  • @xodancerxo312
    @xodancerxo312 10 років тому

    Ollie is by far my favorite poet :)

  • @bintangdomena
    @bintangdomena Рік тому

    Interesting and thoughtful! Thank you!!

  • @Mushroom831
    @Mushroom831 2 роки тому

    Ollie has saved my life more than once

  • @IsaacDavis69
    @IsaacDavis69 10 років тому +1

    Fantastic.

  • @TashaLovesyourface
    @TashaLovesyourface 10 років тому +1

    So powerful.

  • @SEReid-rz5bm
    @SEReid-rz5bm 7 років тому

    Thank you, Ollie. This is beautiful.

  • @mrkoshtip
    @mrkoshtip 10 років тому +5

    Wow so powerful

  • @MikaylaRaePhish
    @MikaylaRaePhish 10 років тому

    Wow... Oh wow...
    Awesome, just awesome.
    Thank you.

  • @Justcallmecrazy747
    @Justcallmecrazy747 10 років тому

    Wow. Such an absolutely incredible poem. Well done Ollie

  • @Eihpos97
    @Eihpos97 10 років тому

    This is so so relatable. wow.

  • @Nejidabest
    @Nejidabest 10 років тому

    so brave and strong , and powerful. Thank you for sharing .

  • @MollyMonster123
    @MollyMonster123 9 років тому

    I adore Ollie's words

  • @analeigh5908
    @analeigh5908 9 років тому +1

    It's like Ollie sucked all of my memories out of my brain to write this poem. Holy shit.

  • @anamikabhandari6622
    @anamikabhandari6622 7 років тому +2

    I do not need her to be sorry , I just her to be listening

  • @selinas7322
    @selinas7322 7 років тому +1

    "loving someone means inventing your own language"

  • @anniepanie3318
    @anniepanie3318 7 років тому +1

    This poem gives me hope that I can one day find someone to deal with me when I am reliving my sexual trauma

  • @DrewAddams
    @DrewAddams 10 років тому

    omg i love these poems

  • @emyemyemyyyy
    @emyemyemyyyy 8 років тому

    This is one of my favorite poems. It brought a lot of things to light for me. Thank you, Ollie. 💜

  • @lillyxfox2684
    @lillyxfox2684 2 роки тому

    I absolutely love her...

  • @glitteringtrash6310
    @glitteringtrash6310 10 років тому +2

    This is so beautiful :')

  • @RadkeLoverX
    @RadkeLoverX 10 років тому

    This was so sad and beautifully done 👏

  • @Tatertots2theRetards
    @Tatertots2theRetards 10 років тому

    I'm crying...

  • @Dan_The_Dude
    @Dan_The_Dude 8 років тому

    Ollie is my favourite ❤️

  • @urpalpedro
    @urpalpedro 9 років тому +4

    Anyone know of where I can find a closed captioned version, or a transcript? I'd like for my deaf friends to be able to read along with the performance.

    • @aanthony0304
      @aanthony0304 8 років тому +7

      +Pablo Ventura
      My partner and I sleep on two twin beds pushed together so we can pretend we own a bed big enough for both of us. Sometimes when we move in our sleep, the beds slide farther away from each other and we wake up with this gaping hole between us. Last night, she found me crying in our kitchen. She offered me her hands like a warm glass of milk with honey in it but my sadness requires no soft touch. I’ve cried often enough in my life that it is no longer exciting or dangerous.
      I am grateful that my partner has never been raped. I’m grateful her mouth has never turned more ash then tongue but sometimes, it’s so lonely feeling worthless all by myself.
      When I talk about the sickening feel of him that lingers even four years later, her eyes are a sky full of pity. Pity: the emotion that feasts while it talks about the starving.
      She doesn’t have to leave the theater during the rape scene, the trigger warnings do not apply to her. It is so easy to talk about what a shame it is when you’ve never had to be ashamed of claiming the word, survivor.
      Which is to say, that the most difficult part of her day is what to choose for breakfast. Which is to say that sometimes I wake up and there is so much distance between us, there’s only the hardwood floor where I thought her body would be. Which is to say, I love her. But my life is a shitty job she’s never been poor enough to have to keep. Suffering is not a contest, there is no prize if I win. There is nothing romantic about the scars on my hipbones. But, there is a language barrier. Our difference strangles every conversation.
      We go to buy groceries, each man at the bus stop wears my rapist face. She says the word love a little too forcefully and his hands are pushing me down. How do I explain to her that a Buick is not just a type of car, it is a graveyard.
      That I cannot have sex with the lights on because I will be able to see him there. How do I explain to her why our room is always so dark?
      When she talks about high school, she talks about the boys whose inexperienced hands didn’t know how to touch a body and all I could think about is how he didn’t know how to keep his hands off. My god, how do I explain to her that sometimes crying and having sex feels like the same thing?
      But loving someone means inventing your own language. It means turning herself into a basement during a tornado. It means turning herself into a safe space. It means turning her hands into a question and turning her hands away when the answer is no.
      In this new language, we erase pity and write in empathy. I do not need her to be sorry, I need her to be listening. In this new language, we call trigger just an excuse for her to see another side of me. We call distance an excuse to rearrange geography. We call crying, catharsis. The way after good sex or a good cry I feel so tired I could collapse.
      And no, the sadness is not an easy one. This conversation is not an easy one. But, easy and worthwhile are not synonyms.
      So we wake up, in the middle of the night, and push our beds back together.