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.
*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 :)*
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
"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
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.
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.
Closet Time it literally says in the comment you're replying to: them.
the microphone makes the shape of a tie on their shirt and it really completes the look
eatyosalads it really does😂😂
Wait I've thought it was a tie the whole time
"I don't need her to be sorry, I just need her to be listening".... perfect
"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!
"My life is a shitty job that she's never been poor enough to have to keep" my gosh, yes.
Wooooooooo that line was SICK!
"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."
"Suffering is not a contest."
Feels game too strong
yesss
Ollie is one of my absolute favorite poets OF ALL TIME. So amazing.
Thank you so much for this. I remember and it happened 45 years ago!!!! 45!!!
*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 :)*
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.
Each line more quotable and powerful than the next.
I'm so glad the comments section is supportive. This is a really tough thing to talk about. Great poem, Ollie.
"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.
I love their poems so much.
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.
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.
"how do I tell her that sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing?"
couldn't have said it better myself.
Ollie is such a beautiful person, their words have such a catch, so raw, so real.
Ive watched this probably at least 50 times and I still cry every time I do. They are such a beautiful poet.
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.
They're so brave for writing this. The rawness and pain and love is inspiring. Ollie, just wow.
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.
They are such an amazing poet they give me chills every time
Ollie speaks so powerfully, their words left me crying.
Ollies poems are a great example of how powerful words can be. They always leave me speechless.
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.
Hands down one of the best poems I've ever heard. Their way with words was incredible.
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.
Ollie's poems will forever by favorites. They never fail to amaze me, to make me shiver and feel.
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.
I don't think I'll ever forget this poem
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.
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!
Olli, if you read this, i just wanted to say i feel that way too. thank you. lots of hugs.
Ollie is amazing, absolutely adore their words
Ollie.. How do you always make me cry..?! ❤
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
woah. WOAH. I’ve never related to a poem more.
They're just so damn good at conveying how a moment feels.
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.
Ollie is one of my favorites.. everything they say is so raw and powerful.
This moved me so much I'm crying.
Ollie... You've stunned me again with your words. Thank you. And thank you Button Poetry for sharing them!
"sometimes crying and having sex feel like the same thing." kills me.
Oh my god I love their poems.
favorite line: "but my life is a shitty job she has never been poor enough to have to keep."
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.
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.
"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
Ollie's poetry is always so incredible
I am sobbing in the college library.
Ollie's work is definitely at the top of my favorites list.
"pity: the emotion that feasts while it talks about the starving" is a line i still think about, holy shit
Really tough stuff. I'm looking into more videos and their poetry is really fantastic and thought-provoking. Great stuff!
My friend introduced me to Ollie and I'm obsessed, they're so powerful in how they speak.
This brought tears to my eyes, Ollie's poems are powerful and I love listening to them.
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.
That poem was so beautiful, so raw, and so important. Ollie's truly amazing.
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.
i really enjoyed how this poem kinda had a 'happy ending' :)
Ollie will always be my favorite.
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.
That was FANTASTIC.
Ollie is so amazing, I felt every moment of this piece.
I love Ollie. Their poems are...amazing.
I've never related to something so hard, Ollie thank you for making me feel alittle less alone.
Ollie is honestly amazing, i love their poems so, so much. and i really connect to this one.
i can't get over how powerful this is
Fantastic.
One of the best poems I've heard in a long time
THIS IS AMAZING I'M CRYIN'
Ollie is by far my favorite poet :)
Love you Ollie
Ollie has saved my life more than once
I love Ollie so much, their poems are so amazing
This is so powerful. And all too relatable
This is truly amazing Ollie you are one of my favourites
ollie always writes such beautiful poems
So powerful.
Wow... Oh wow...
Awesome, just awesome.
Thank you.
Wow so powerful
Ollie is my favourite ❤️
so brave and strong , and powerful. Thank you for sharing .
Interesting and thoughtful! Thank you!!
I do not need her to be sorry , I just her to be listening
It's like Ollie sucked all of my memories out of my brain to write this poem. Holy shit.
I adore Ollie's words
I absolutely love her...
Wow. Such an absolutely incredible poem. Well done Ollie
Thank you, Ollie. This is beautiful.
This is so so relatable. wow.
I love Ollie!
"loving someone means inventing your own language"
"How do I explain that crying and having sex feel like the same thing" ..."fuck" is the only word I can utter...
This poem gives me hope that I can one day find someone to deal with me when I am reliving my sexual trauma
omg i love these poems
This is so beautiful :')
I'm crying...
such an amazing poet