"The red penis your friend" is a quote I remember often. "Definitely Beautiful, Definitely Beautiful.

Mia khalifa

Good tips - thanks

I used to binge on videos of your poems, but with time I guess I faded away from the whole poetry content. Today I found myself trying to remember your voice of america voice-over, which got me to look this channel up after so many years. To my surprise, I got treated to this video. Being a fan of the poet, this felt like having a chance to get to know the teacher, and that was pretty emotional. Felt like I should share this in case you're ever curious how far your words can reach. Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Mali :)

Taylor Mali is one of my favorite poets. This is one of my favorite poems of his. ❤

This is still the best thing I've ever heard, and he preformed this at my high-school 14 or 15 years ago. I come back to this video to hear it more often than you'd think 😂😂

Were did you buy the scissors and the rubber cement?

This poem is beautiful, heartbreaking and everything in between beyond words. Thank you Taylor Mali, so much for this creation.

Thank you! You answered my most concern question: Wouldn't my hole get smaller if I just trim it from the existing hole?

Whoever is fantasizing about life being shitty so they can write about it has not experienced shittiness in life. GOOD! REJOICE! But don't condescend. I reckon you wouldn't put dysentery back into the water to write from experience about it.

Slam poetry is the lowest form of art.

The tip was nice. Do you glue the pages in the end or something?

No poem has made me keel with laughter, this is great!

WOW! That was pretty cool! I've always wondered how to hollow out a book, and this video was great! Thanks Taylor Mali! ~Janet in Canada

This just broke my heart.

That was so sad. It is very hard to see someone you love live in so much pain, and not be able to help them or take that pain away. Sometimes death is the most humane thing that can happen to them in order to end their suffering.

Thank you for the great advice! 📖

Great. Loved it.

I love this poem! I love The passion of the poet!!

This is unbearably dated at this point-though admittedly most well-meaning, idealistic stuff from the late 90s/early 00s is at this point. If you haven’t been to a library in a bit, for many this should be titled “I’ll fight you in the library”. Fighting between adult patrons, visitors verbally or physically attacking staff, just a general sense of unease as libraries become the personal living rooms of the homeless and addicted or those who simply shrug away work and any social or personal responsibility. When you have to work in this environment every day, like I do, your sympathy is worn thin by the demands of adult babysitting and the neglect of managers and administrators. The ideals of this video warm the hearts of people who, by their financial and social position in society, manage to avoid the daily grind of dealing with other people’s constant problems and threats.

my english teacher showed me this... sooooo boring

I was thinking of driving a nail in each corner to define it. If it doesn't havd a head (finishing nail, right?) you could leave it in while you cut. You might still need the snips to get some of the page out, but you would always end at the right place.

The sexual undertones to this are fantastic.

I'm thinking of using an old or cheap diary into a phone case. This is really helpful 👍

A good tip is to use sandpaper to lightly sand the pages that remain in the cut hole. They gradually adjust and become uniform.

Hey Taylor, could you teach some tips to cut the cover book? I tried it and its soooo dificult 😅 hugs from Brazil.

😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤

Are these still available? I would love a massive set to fuel a new writing phase, as I havent finished anything in awhile...

Thank you for sharing your experience. Helps a lot!

I've played this several times over the years, and it always makes me weep.

Perfection. Exactly what I needed for this 1k page dictionary I’m about to destroy

As a reacher a few years away from finally pulling up tha projector screen, turning off all the switches in the lab, and having to look around at years old my students work on the wall, this open hits a chord in my heart and it makes me dead the time when it will be the last time for me to lock that door and walk away trying hard not to look back :(

Wow this is funny you look like the man on "Shawshank" movie when he used a book to conceal a rock hammer to escape.😂😂😂😂Great video I was curious as to how this is done

why is everyone saying this made them cry its literally just words

Hilarious 😂 Thanks for sharing

Both processes are useful. This process seems valuable for people who do this frequently, like yourself, as it is faster and the cuts can be cleaner. But the old technique you showed allows for more complex cut shapes using a template. And the tools are cheaper, as it's able to be done with nothing but a homemade template and a sharp knife. No need to buy tin snips and Mod Podge or rubber cement. Finally, the adhesive on the page edges does indicate that the book has a secret compartment to anyone in the know. Not using the adhesive on the outside keeps the external appearance identical. Since I will probably do this rarely if ever, I will use the simpler although more time consuming method, likely using a page of cardstock and an art knife. But if I was doing this several times over I'd try this new method as well. I like your magnet ideas to keep things from rattling around. If necessary, felt can be glued to the magnet to make the contact softer. But using the template and blade method and some extra patience, the cut-out can be shaped to hold a particular object securely, with just the right shape and depth to prevent it rattling around. Though not practical for a multipurpose hollow book, it's satisfying as a dedicated storage case for a particular object. Of course, even with an oversize hole an object could simply be wrapped in cloth or something else soft to keep it from moving inside of the book. Thank you for sharing your expertise on a niche subject. I imagine most who hollow books are amateurs working without any guidance, and it's helpful to hear you share with us the knowledge you've learned through much experience.

I first heard this on a prairie home companion ... always stuck with me

This music is so lovely! What song is this? Do you ever listen to Stars of the Lid or A Winged Victory for the Sullen? Great music you may enjoy. Love your work Taylor!! First heard "how to write a political poem" on local public radio about 14 or 15 years ago, been a fan ever since!!

Nice clip and technique. i would definably want to use cut-resistant gloves because of my experience with accidental injuries

Yeah Taylor this is great and fun and I might do this. But can you *please* for the love of all that is sacred publish your poem "ode to a dead squirrel (and also my lovers *YTcensor*). Like you promised me back on FB like 8 years ago after you had posted it on a blog which was later deleted and I never saved it and hadn't had the whole thing memorized. It's a fun poem. I go numb reciting old stuff. Regardless happy Christmas and a merry New year.

The thrill of the craft. The tin snips for cutting paper. No poetry. Man, I can't wait to retire!!!!

when you line up the template with the pencil mark what do you line it up to? The top line and the line on the left?

Great tip. I've only ever seen people glue the pages and then cut. I've tried it and it's just like you said: threads and uneven sides. It's a mess... Very well said, thank you. Super easy to follow. Only question is, what if you don't want to use a container? Is it possible to glue the pages after cutting? Another issue i have is that cutting kills my hand after a while, but i guess trying it this way might save them some grief?

I will never tire of listening to people talk, in prose or poetry, about the things that they so obviously love. Mad respect to you, Mr. Mali.

My college roommate's dad once applied to a bunch of jobs with a resume that listed his experience in "pubic relations."

Word differentiation is so very important.

Thanks for the 2 tips I hadn't thought of! Now I'll continue on with my book safe!

I am currently about to start my practicum 1 as an elementary education student. The workload is a lot, and the assignments are becoming more difficult. Almost everyone I tell my plan to have some choice words about this profession that I always just have to brush off. I have always wanted to be a teacher for every reason that was shared in this speech. His words move me in a way that brings up raw emotion and motivation reminding me why I feel passionate about this. I plan to watch this every day. Thank you Mr. Mali!

Excellent video! Thanks so much!

😘 Thanks