I Feel Like Saying Beatnik Poem

Beat poetry in a teen B-movie.  When you think about this being the 50's some of the things she was saying would make their parents jaw drop. Not much has changed.
Actress Phillipa Fallon plays the poetess. (You might want to check the link.)

Kurt Elling sings The Waking by Theodore Roethke

The Waking

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me, so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

written by Theodore Roethke

I Could Have Been a Banker by Alison Boston

What we can do homemade....
Alison Boston made this vid after a workshop in Brighton, in the North of England.
Her fiesty character comes through in poetry and the images she collated to make her own poetry film.

Source: http://vimeo.com/20547346

Somebody Blew Up America - Amiri Baraka

Dance... poetry by Rumi, performed by Kim Rosen, Jami Sieber

Ab-Soul's Outro - Kendrick Lamar

The poetry in this piece is very powerful, especially at the end where the poet recites in a scenario that sounds like a camp fire. if you like jazz with a hip hop twist, you will love this piece.

Words by Kendrick Lamar
Produced by Terrace Martin

Heaven Sent (Official Video)

Heaven Sent is an ambient reflection on city living and the breathing space above

Lyrics by ScienZe: www.ScienZeClass.com
Directed by: Aaron is not cool

Do My Thing

WhoIsParadise and Charlie Parker get together for the Wreck Sessions on FWD360 - a strong combination of vocals and rhyme.

Its Ours - Charles Bukowski

Notes from an Exorcism: An Ishi Meditation

Although the poet is mystery at the moment (gotta do more research - Tekhen?) you can still check out Imani Uzuri that inspired him to write this

: ) Oness Sankara

Love the fun vibe of this. And for those FB Twitter fiends, this onez for you!! : )

Skin - Kwame Dawes From 'Wisteria'

Wisteria: Twilight Songs from the Swamp Country, was a finalist for the 2007 Paterson Prize.  These poems are written in the voice of elderly African American women from South Carolina who Dawes interviewed in 1995.

 The poems explore the world of Jim Crow South and show the power and resilience in these women who survived in that world and found a capacity to thrive. These are difficult poems, challenging poems and poems that ultimately show Dawes at his most lyrical.  

Wisteria was recently noted in the New York Times as a best selling collection among poetry books published by independent presses. 

This recording of Skin was made Live at the Purcell Room, International Poetry Week 2006.

Sh'maya @ Ronnie Scotts June '11

Don't be put off the by the quality of this vid. Sh'maya is a beautifully lyrical and musical poet. And with musicians Simon Wallace on Piano, Winston Clifford on Drums and Davide Mantovani on Bass, his work paints so many pictures....



He takes it a step further.
Pheonix Solo - breath, rhythm, word, fire...




Pheonix Lyrics

From the ink of the strain
From the pain of the prayer
From the pain of the Word

The Word will rise
From the breath of the page
To the rains of the city
To the rains of the gasp

COUNTRY BOY by HKB FiNN ft Maxwell Golden, Zena Edwards, Soweto Kinch

HKB FiNN performs as part of the Conversations Project @ The Albany
An etheric, soulful autobiographically themed live performance workshopped in one day!

Gil Scott Heron on Hard Talk

Godfather of Hiphop Gil-Scott Heron Interviewed

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RIP GIL SCOTT HERON

"Hard Talk" cos it tests the tenacity of the person being interviewed. Plus it challenges their integrity, putting them on the spot and putting questions to them that I'd want ask, although this lady struggles with Gil cos he's a strong force to reckon with.

Gil Scott-Heron has been a huge influence in my life. He's the spokesperson for the spirit in me that finds it hard to express my frustration sometimes. Poet or no poet that i be. Ok so he's had his fair share of BS in his life and most probably dished out some but the point is when someone has a sense of articulation when it comes to lyrical word play and social documentary that is precise, eloquent and pulls no punches, then for a moment, you got to listen.
Respect where respect is due.

My I.Q. - Ani DiFranco

"My I.Q."

when I was four years old
they tried to test my I.Q.
they showed me a picture
of 3 oranges and a pear
they said,
which one is different?
it does not belong
they taught me different is wrong
but when I was 13 years old
I woke up one morning