My English teacher was the first person to show me this... The majority of our class was holding back tears when it ended and Miss admitted that she'd spent the night watching it over and over and over again, just so she wouldn't cry in front of us. Taylor Mali truly is a hero of his own league. My heart goes out to this.
I have watched this poem so many times. This last time a new thought came to me which brought fresh tears - the idea that Tony Steinberg's little brother could have made his pyramid the next year for Tony the Pharoah.
I did not cry but I can admit that I was at the point of tears! The second I found out about the boy chills ran down my back! Cause I have known what is like to have a friend with such an illness.
thx for making me cry, and being able to make ppl cry, which was also beautiful in itself ( seeing that some ppl can still be touched by simple poetry and beautiful stories). still wish you were my middle school teacher one day
It's a horrible feeling when a classmate passes away. The actions of the 12 boys in your class was just so moving, and mature, it really questions how our society is. Cry for someone's death not because he/she was famous, or has done great things. Cry for someone because he/she touched your heart somehow, as did Tony did with his class I bet. Beautiful poem, even through just words you have taught me a lot.
Every single time I listen to this I cry. I cry for the brave Viking Warrior who died. I cry for his family. I cry for his classmates. And I cry for my dear friend who only graced Earth with her presence for 17 short years but did more than many have done with 3 score and 10.
Dr. Mali, quotes from your work is in Sharpie on my work benches and has been for years. Many projects have come and gone across those boards that every now and again, they have to be re-freshed with a new coat of the best ink these fine points have to offer. I hope you are doing well an still inspiring your students. Thank you.
We read this as a poem today in English...and god I started crying. Everyone started crying. This is absolutely beautiful Taylor. This is truly beautiful and beautiful it will be
Mr Mali, your poetry is simply inspirational, from the absurd and playful to poems such as these you never fail to hit the mark. Your students are lucky to have you for a teacher - even if it will take them a decade to realise it. My hat goes off to you, sir, and my heart to the boy in your tale.
This is one of his most beautiful poems. For his students to have that honor amongst each other in solidarity, shows the expectations and respect in the classroom that the teacher conveys. Mali, for teacher of the Year, every year.
I've loved this mans poetry since I first heard what a teacher makes on def poetry, but of all the poems I've ever heard read or read silently or verbalized passonatly to my self and anyone else that was in hearing range, of all the poems of my life, this one was the most powerfull, beautifull, passionate and moveing.
i've heard this poem many times before. this is the first time i have listened to it as a teacher, and boy was it powerful listening to it this time! beautiful, yet sad story.
This is amazing. It starts out so descriptive and inspiring and suddenly your heart breaks. Thank you sir. I will forever remember the name Tony Steinberg.
This is Taylor Mali. I remember that gig well, two or three blocks from Abbey Road! There was a kid at ASL who had recently beaten cancer (perhaps you knew him), and when I started this poem, a bunch of teachers were afraid of what his reaction would be. Later he told one of the teachers, "I feel as though Mr. Mali recited that poem just for me."
No two people feel the same. Just because this poem struck a chord in many people, that doesn't mean it has to strike you. You cannot force feelings, they just happen. You don't have to feel like a bad person.
This moves me like God moves mountains, it's sill honestly, I'm writing this comment as a poem, roses are red, and also white, yellow, and pink. Violets are not and will never be purple, because they're blue. I feel a connection in Talyor Mali's poetry. How about you? When they makes go boo-hoo and makes us laugh like the moon, we faithfully hang on his words, like birds hang to telephone wires, and maybe I'm a liar by the deceleration but please take his information, and put to good use.
Hats off to you Taylor Mali and the amazing seventh grader Tony Steinberg. (And your quote about old vikings dying with swords in their hands will be going up on our wall in the English classroom at Aragon High)
I posted a video response to this, though it hasn't showed up yet. Thank you, Mr. Mali, for making a recording of this poem available! I've been looking for one for quite some time.
So moving! this must be the little boy he is dedicating the 1000 inspired teacher's mission to. (If he inspires 1000 people to be teachers he is cutting his hair and donating it to Locks of Love)
I live a long way from where I work, and to fill the time I often listen to audio books. Today, I was listening to Bernard Cornwell's "The Lords of the North" and, in it, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has become old Viking Warrior, keeps a sword by his bed as he dies of old age. It reminded me of this poem, so, I had to listen to it again. I regret that I have only one like to give to this poem.
Also, on a different note, this poem struck a nerve with me. Religious beliefs aside, this poem was filled with the kind of emotion one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
I feel so heartless. This poem struck no emotions in me at all. Reading these comments and listening to this poem several times, I really do feel heartless. Why don't I feel sad when everyone else cried? Am I a bad person? Or is it just because I never knew Tony Steinberg? I wish I knew him. But either way, I feel so cold and heartless.
My English teacher was the first person to show me this... The majority of our class was holding back tears when it ended and Miss admitted that she'd spent the night watching it over and over and over again, just so she wouldn't cry in front of us. Taylor Mali truly is a hero of his own league. My heart goes out to this.
I have watched this poem so many times. This last time a new thought came to me which brought fresh tears - the idea that Tony Steinberg's little brother could have made his pyramid the next year for Tony the Pharoah.
You deserve a million likes for this comment ❤️
i think i cried a bit; mr mali you are a one of a kind teacher that everyone should have. i wish you wouldve been my 7th grade history teacher.
I watched this with my advanced English class and everyone was in tears. It was very special honestly.
This is such a beautiful poem...There was no way for me to avoid crying...
I love Taylor Mali's poetry. This one has to be my favorite. However, I still have not made it all the way through without crying.
Having seen it so many times, I barely make it 30 seconds without it starting.
I've played this several times over the years, and it always makes me weep.
Same. Including two minutes ago.
Only Taylor Mali can make me laugh and then put me on the verge of tears in the span of minutes.
"The soul of the brave warrior rising slowly with the smoke."
This last line gets me every time.
I did not cry but I can admit that I was at the point of tears! The second I found out about the boy chills ran down my back! Cause I have known what is like to have a friend with such an illness.
thx for making me cry, and being able to make ppl cry, which was also beautiful in itself ( seeing that some ppl can still be touched by simple poetry and beautiful stories). still wish you were my middle school teacher one day
It's a horrible feeling when a classmate passes away. The actions of the 12 boys in your class was just so moving, and mature, it really questions how our society is. Cry for someone's death not because he/she was famous, or has done great things. Cry for someone because he/she touched your heart somehow, as did Tony did with his class I bet. Beautiful poem, even through just words you have taught me a lot.
My school just lost a student to cancer. He was 7. I had a good cry over this poem.
I actually just cried. What a beautiful poet.
I just found your poetry and your words shake me to my core I see teachers in a whole new way
This is the most pure kindness n human decency you can express in words I think. I cry every single time.
Every single time I listen to this I cry. I cry for the brave Viking Warrior who died. I cry for his family. I cry for his classmates. And I cry for my dear friend who only graced Earth with her presence for 17 short years but did more than many have done with 3 score and 10.
I challenge any guy, no matter how manly, to listen to this entire poem and not tear up at least a little bit.
when i find a new tylor mali poem the only words i can mutter after hearing it are always the same three words
HOLY
FUCKING
SHIT
Dr. Mali, quotes from your work is in Sharpie on my work benches and has been for years. Many projects have come and gone across those boards that every now and again, they have to be re-freshed with a new coat of the best ink these fine points have to offer. I hope you are doing well an still inspiring your students.
Thank you.
We read this as a poem today in English...and god I started crying. Everyone started crying. This is absolutely beautiful Taylor. This is truly beautiful and beautiful it will be
I did not come here to cry.
Thank you, sir. 🙏🏻 Yes, I cried. I wish I had had a teacher like you
I held my breath as the smoke rose. Such thoughtfulness from the boys and such honesty. Thank you Mr Mali.
So beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you for all those outstanding poems Mr Mali. This one is an absolutely heart moving masterpiece!
no words. Only tears. Phenomenal
It kills me every time, I love it.
Mr. Mali, you are truly one of the greatest inspriations in my teaching career. Thanks so much for this, and for all you do.
Mr Mali, your poetry is simply inspirational, from the absurd and playful to poems such as these you never fail to hit the mark. Your students are lucky to have you for a teacher - even if it will take them a decade to realise it.
My hat goes off to you, sir, and my heart to the boy in your tale.
Manly tears have been shed this day....
This is one of his most beautiful poems. For his students to have that honor amongst each other in solidarity, shows the expectations and respect in the classroom that the teacher conveys. Mali, for teacher of the Year, every year.
This reminded me how fortunate I am to call myself a teacher and work everyday with amazing young people.
So a friend who went to my school passed away today from leukemia, i shared this poem with the class.
R.I.P Cameron
Gone but not forgotten
Every time I watch this, it always brings me to tears. It's very powerful and moving.
I've heard this over a dozen times and I still cry.
Oh my god....Taylor, your work is ingenious.....thank you.
I love all his poetry, however, even his most emotionally charged poems never brought me to tears... until this one.
This one got me good.
I've loved this mans poetry since I first heard what a teacher makes on def poetry, but of all the poems I've ever heard read or read silently or verbalized passonatly to my self and anyone else that was in hearing range, of all the poems of my life, this one was the most powerfull, beautifull, passionate and moveing.
Love that Billy Collins is looking on! Two of my favorites ... both need to come visit us in MississippI!
Oh c'mon, who in their right mind would dislike this??
Beautiful, this is just too amazing
i've heard this poem many times before. this is the first time i have listened to it as a teacher, and boy was it powerful listening to it this time! beautiful, yet sad story.
This is amazing. It starts out so descriptive and inspiring and suddenly your heart breaks. Thank you sir. I will forever remember the name Tony Steinberg.
This absolutely made me bawl. Beautifully done.
I still look you up every year, almost 2 decades since you visited my school in St. John’s Wood. What teachers make indeed :)
This is Taylor Mali. I remember that gig well, two or three blocks from Abbey Road! There was a kid at ASL who had recently beaten cancer (perhaps you knew him), and when I started this poem, a bunch of teachers were afraid of what his reaction would be. Later he told one of the teachers, "I feel as though Mr. Mali recited that poem just for me."
I always cry when I hear this one, I did the first time and I will the thousandth time.
No two people feel the same. Just because this poem struck a chord in many people, that doesn't mean it has to strike you. You cannot force feelings, they just happen. You don't have to feel like a bad person.
OK I'm officially addicted to this guy. Definitely beautiful.
Without fail I cry every single time, it's just beautiful
I am glad that I can thank you for this poem.
2 people have no hearts because there is no way that you could not get chills from this
Amazing story, even listening to it for the 5th time, I still get teary eyed.
OHMYGOODNESS now I'm crying. And I'm glad. Thank you.
this one actually made me cry, which is not easy to do...
That was one of the most beautiful poems I've ever heard in my life
Yep, and me. It was the reminder of how truly excellent kids can be, with the shaven heads.
made me cry, too.. just "wow!"
This moves me like God moves mountains, it's sill honestly, I'm writing this comment as a poem, roses are red, and also white, yellow, and pink. Violets are not and will never be purple, because they're blue. I feel a connection in Talyor Mali's poetry. How about you? When they makes go boo-hoo and makes us laugh like the moon, we faithfully hang on his words, like birds hang to telephone wires, and maybe I'm a liar by the deceleration but please take his information, and put to good use.
this was beautiful, you truly have a gift Mr. Mali. Thank you for sharing it
wow! just cried, his poetry is amazing
That was absolutely amazing. I loved it. Thank you Mr. Mali.
wow. i dont know what to say. this is so moving. just like the "depression too is a kind of fire" piece, they reduce me to silence. becautiful x x
Hats off to you Taylor Mali and the amazing seventh grader Tony Steinberg. (And your quote about old vikings dying with swords in their hands will be going up on our wall in the English classroom at Aragon High)
Wow! As the tear rolls down my face!
made me cry tooo
I posted a video response to this, though it hasn't showed up yet. Thank you, Mr. Mali, for making a recording of this poem available! I've been looking for one for quite some time.
So moving! this must be the little boy he is dedicating the 1000 inspired teacher's mission to. (If he inspires 1000 people to be teachers he is cutting his hair and donating it to Locks of Love)
fuck, every time i watch this i still get teary eyed. beautiful piece mr. mali.
I love it sir. My teacher is Jerry Seeger and were big fans
This moved me.
That was beautiful, Mr. Mali. Thank you.
Tears are running down my face:'(
I loved seeing you at CMU and sitting through your workshop.
beautiful man.
Absolutely beautiful
I live a long way from where I work, and to fill the time I often listen to audio books. Today, I was listening to Bernard Cornwell's "The Lords of the North" and, in it, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has become old Viking Warrior, keeps a sword by his bed as he dies of old age. It reminded me of this poem, so, I had to listen to it again.
I regret that I have only one like to give to this poem.
My English teacher showed me this, love it!
Really? So did mine!
Same here
Idaho?
Handsomeplaybot ROBLOX I'm not.
@@TheMikeytoes same
Very moving, thankyou.
absolutely amazing
Awesome Poem
Damn I cried, that was beautiful
This one made me cry.
Apparently this is not an uncommon experience.
i hope this is a true story, absolutely moving
You are the best. I love you.
lol glad im not the only one that cried. this hit me hard
one word: beautiful. *sob*
all these feels.
I was full out sobbing by the end lol
Crying!
Oh this made me cry :(
this poem made me cry.
This should be his most famous poem
Also, on a different note, this poem struck a nerve with me. Religious beliefs aside, this poem was filled with the kind of emotion one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Fucking Awesome doesn't begin to describe it.
I love this poem
Crying for days.
I feel so heartless. This poem struck no emotions in me at all. Reading these comments and listening to this poem several times, I really do feel heartless. Why don't I feel sad when everyone else cried? Am I a bad person? Or is it just because I never knew Tony Steinberg? I wish I knew him. But either way, I feel so cold and heartless.
Fantastic post.
That was incredibly moving, so very touching, and beautiful. I love your work, Mr. Mali.
I cried.