Awesome Poetry

“This moment can lead us back home. That’s our test.” TED-Ed and famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall offer up some serious food for thought, reminding us to take advantage of this brief moment in time where things have slowed down to look at what we have done to our world, and how we might do things better.

Keep inspired and entertained with this anytime game. Haikubes is a set of 63 word cubes from Chronicle Books and the creators of Cranium. Just roll the dice and pick from the upright words to create a three-line haiku poem using the classic 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Includes two cubes with cues to nurture your poetic genius.

“As they say money makes the world go ’round… Yet they also say the best things in life are free.” Comedian Drew Tarvin’s spoken word performance attempts to sum up the meaning of life using 100 phrases from pop culture and other clichéd sayings. Read the full text here.

“Good things do NOT come to those who wait, so don’t leave it to fate, your life deserves to be great…” Spoken word artist Gary Turk’s reminds us that every moment we put off doing what we’ve thought about doing is a moment we could be achieving something rewarding.

The latest spoken word performance by Gary Turk reminds us to get outdoors and enjoy what the world has to offer more. It’s a natural next step after his earlier piece about putting our gadgets down for a moment.

(PG-13) “Beer. Rivers and seas of beer. The radio singing love songs as the phone remains silent. And the walls stand straight up and down, and beer is all there is.” Nerdo’s animated adaptation effectively echoes the late, great Charles Bukowski’s sad poem.

Many people interpret Robert Frost’s famous poem The Road Not Taken as an encouragement to take risks. Ironically, it’s actually Frost’s lighthearted jab at a friend who experienced the paradox of choice regarding literal paths on their frequent walks.

In this brief but brilliant promo clip for the new Chevy Cruze, spoken word artist Prince Ea offers up some flowing and inspiring prose about the internal mechanism that drives us to succeed, and how effort and motivation is more valuable than money and book smarts.

“…that’s some “push comes to shove” love, not “when it’s convenient” love.” IN-Q rhymes about what he would do if he fell in love when he’s 85. Despite his heartwarming imagery, he reminds us that there’s no reason to wait ’til we’re old to be the best lover that we can be.

“If you’re happy in your head, then solitude is blessed, and alone is okay.” Tanya Davis performs her poem How To Be Alone in this short film directed by Andrea Dorfman. It’s also available as a book.

(PG-13 Language) Self-confessed bed spiller Taylor Mali performs a poem about proofreading. At first it seems like a cheap way to get away with double entendres at a poetry reading. Well it is, but it’s also hard to intentionally speak like that at length.

“You speak to know pain that you only fathom because we told you it was there.” Darius Simpson and Scout Bostley perform a spoken word poem about outsiders who claim to know the plights of their race and gender.

To atone for exposing you to Call of Duty‘s verbal atrocities, we present James Earl Jones – the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa – reading Walt Whitman’s A Song of Myself. Read along here.  Recorded in 1973 at 92nd Street Y.

Spoken-word rap and storytelling by Tilawn Burtzloff, a young man who has struggled with homelessness, and how he copes with the harsh world through creativity. A film by Amy Enser & Drew Christie for the American Refugees project.

Spoken-word performer Gary Turk reminds us that the pervasive use of “social media” tools tend to make us anti-social in the real world. Kids, it’s time to put down your smartphones for a few minutes and drink in some actual life.

“My cheeks are attuned to her lips. I will know if they tremble.” Jesse Parent reads his poem, To The Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter. This guy should join a battle rap event. The crowd sure acts like they’re in one. “Eat ’em!”

(NSFW: Language) Poet and professor Mark Grist reveals his taste in women, explaining it with such clarity and sincerity that posers would be daft to cite this performance in their favor. Presented by Roundhouse London.

An amusing collection of poetry written by cats. Or perhaps written by a human controlled by his cat master. Either way, why hasn’t this won a Pulitzer prize yet? Also available as a wall calendar – perfect for your kitty to claw at.

(NSFW: Language) Redditor Neil Hilborn aka micerats performs OCD, a poem about how his first love affected him and his condition. We love his performance, but we wish we could hear a pure one without the premature applause.

William Shatner proudly presents his official app. Create Shatisms alone or with friends using 400 recorded words and emphasis options, and share your melodramatic masterpiece with the world.

3 1/2 minutes of fun: Tom Hanks performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in a one man poetry slam, reciting a silly poem about the 80’s/90’s show Full House – a house full… of men. (Thanks Dan!)

A man bids farewell to his lover and tells her of his upcoming adventures in the afterlife, all to pass the time while he waits for them to be reunited. Written and performed by Derrick Brown.

SkipPrime mixed scenes from HL2 with the darkly poetic The Dead Flag Blues, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Makes you wonder if Valve was listening to the track when developing the game.