Alysia Harris - "Cab Rides and the Morning After"

[@Thisismyusernameap]

I love how all the constellations are named after Greek heroes. It reminds me that, even the immortals, they have vices too. I love around 5am when all the lights dim, after the sexy ones have become middle aged, in their 12 hour life spans. When the glitter fades and rests, more like sad stars and gold leaf. I love naked white sheets, how they work like paint thinner to remove last nights fresco, how they dry you off after soaking in a tub of room temperature lovers. I love the cab rides you take back into yourself, away from the still beautiful people who are all elsewhere doing impossibly beautiful things. When you arrive home, you will greet the mirror like a criminal in a line up, with premeditated sins armed with brass knuckles and all the good intentions buried far beneath the rap sheet. I plan to be a sinner tonight. Could’ve been something else but looked way too good in my red dress to be anything Christian. I was talking to three different men in five different languages. I was twisting a blunt straw into page forty-seven of the coma sutra. I was dancing in an attempt to melt the belts off every man in the room, but I heard the truth that night. A Turk speaking Spanish, didn’t know me from Adam said; “Tú crees en Dios pero tu haces malas cosas” You believe in God but you do bad things. Suddenly I realized that I was in a place where all they play is house music, but can’t really say I felt at home in the barely audible, barely recognizable zone between having a good time and simply wasting it. I was a glutton with a grin, drinking warm gin, knowing no ones name but somehow I was everyones friend. I was standing in stilettos that made me 6 feet tall but still felt small. I was messing up the shoes I paid too much for and still hurt to walk in and talk about conviction. Truth is nobody believes me when I say I’m a virgin. Truth is, the Bible didn’t see the inside of my face for a week while I was on vacation. Truth is, I’m not innocent, I’m just an abstinent fireplace that doesn’t wanna feel the fire kindle between her legs anymore. So don’t mind the ashes they’re just evidence of how brightly I can glow and I wanna glow hard like one dim star on an otherwise starless night that shines just to prove its fidelity and I know what you must think of me. “What hypocrisy!” but I don’t wanna enter prayer reeking of my addictions. Stinking of cologne. I don’t want God to smell another man on me, mistaking ménage á trois for the trinity. So, so thank God! Thank God the stars don’t judge us for what we do beneath them. Thank God the stars don’t see the evil we commit under their names. Thank God for the silence, for the dimness, for nights spent alone. Thank God for friends who know more than just your bra strap. Thank God for cab rides home, cause tonight I’m gonna strip the spotlight. Tonight I’m gonna turn off Frank Ocean. Tonight I’m gonna take off the stilettos. I’m gonna take off the turquoise rings. I’m gonna take off the lipgloss and I’m gonna sleep naked, not trying to be sexy, just trying to be me. A girl with a shaved head and with eyes deep enough to stand in, with convictions strong enough to stand on. I’m finding the mercy of God right where I’m standing and its binding, it’s blinding, it’s forgiveness, but most of all it’s mine. So, so tonight I’m gonna sit out on the fire escape eating an apple and I’m gonna nickname the view Eden and I’m gonna look up at those tragic stars with their pagan hearts full of mourning and I’m gonna say; What a fall, but what light, what impossible light.

[@elephantal]

Hey Sarah, I wanna thank you for taking the effort to write all that down for us. Much love to you, from New Delhi, India!

[@lovehurts0918]

4:17 "So thank God the stars don't judge us for what we do beneath them." seriously I can't believe such beautiful words were created in one day.

[@jjt53]

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!!

[@akelablanton]

Almost 5 years later and this will forever be one of the best poems I've ever seen performed. Amazing, simply amazing.

[@mzzbreezie]

Akela Blanton yes!!!!!

[@Nesh7083]

Still one of my faves!

[@junebugangel]

I've been listening to it for 10 years and it's still my fav

[@tiffanytraille9224]

"What a fall... But what light. What impossible light." So beautiful.

[@pkwestropp]

I don't know how to describe this, but it feels like Alysia has this ability to create a moment, through her words, that I personally thought no one of our modern era would be able to do through poetry. So stunning.

[@hosoria1022]

"thank god the stars don't judge us for what we do beneath them." FIRE!!!!! YOU ARE A STAR

[@VoicedSophia]

Alysia is soooo powerful and one of the reasons I take the gift of writing so seriously .

[@Ayame54]

Amen to that!

[@2amazing2bestopped]

She goes hard in every one of her poems. I really hope to be as fantastic as she is one day.

[@GemmaMayes]

every Christian girl's struggle... you are truly amazing

[@fufuNubianQueen12]

This was posted on my birthday, boy do I wish I saw it then. My favourite line, 'What a fall, but what a light, what impossibible light.' *tears* God's love is amazing.

[@shadreckkalimbwe9843]

9 years later and this is still one of the best poems that have landed on my ears🔥🔥

[@bobothebearguy]

Woah.... I can't decide if I love this woman fpr sharing her incredible talent with the world or if I hate her for making me feel things i never wanted to feel. This woman has a beautiful soul

[@ixPeaCexi]

I love her. She always expresses so much emotion through her poems. I can feel her tears..

[@jilliciapinder9348]

How can you dislike this!!!! She is just freaking awesome!!!

[@colormegorgeous2414]

I must say all of her poems are beautiful and I consider her to be one of my fav!

[@OhShitItsMarianna]

She leaves me breathless every single time. Her play with words is magical and the fact that she comes to the verge of tears makes it that much more amazing.

[@amanda126621]

Alysia's poetry is like weirdly easy to identify with. "I plan to be a sinner tonight... could have been something else but looked way too good in my red dress to be anything Christian" - Damn.

[@jesseymatlou9344]

Still one of my favorite poems!

[@kellinhell]

She is amazing; I cry at every beautiful poem she creates.

[@Cupids-1lover]

No words “just snaps and applause” 👏🏽

[@greedygemini8807]

I TWEETED THIS, FACEBOOK'D IT AND PUT IT IN MY FAVORITES!!!! SHE'S BEYOND AMAZING!!!

[@yakiisuperstar]

Never getting enough of you Alysia Harris,you are a blessing.

[@AlexanderTheOracle]

💜 Have loved this poet for so many years. Thank you.

[@wanja1594]

Wow! Seriously so beautiful and REAL.

[@amberjohnson9508]

Wow, that was such strong emotion.. Cut right through my barrier..

[@ahend59]

saw her live in Philly a few years ago, really moved me, glad to c she's still doing her thing, U go girl!!

[@claudiadefreitas1100]

I swear I have watched this video at least 5 times and every time I watch it I get goosebumps...

[@msleahpanini7519]

This made my throat close up. It was wonderful.

[@poet82n]

msleahpanini 😂😂 she's dope. Love her.

[@msleahpanini7519]

@@poet82n I'm coming back to this years later and still have the same reaction.

[@MISSOla244]

oh God,she had tears coming out of my eyes, just beautiful

[@iannahayes9597]

I love how she isn't one of those topic poets she does what's close to her I love how everything is emotional and I can feel it that's what makes alysia amazing

[@NAOMILOREN]

and she continues to blow me away . my favorite poet

[@PeaceHopeLove2012]

So much passion. So beautifully spoken.

[@BabySweetCherry]

i love all of her work

[@BrittKneePearls]

i had goosebumps and tears in my eyes..hit home! i loved it!!

[@jayetomas3099]

in-freaking-credible. from start to amazing finish.....

[@makismoulos]

Just so perfect, like feelings. Love you Alysia.

[@Lace900]

still my favoriteeeeee! -2021 and has been since 2013

[@MegaDebonair1]

Powerful!!! Thank you so much for speaking how I feel... Peace & Blessing

[@Naebuggy]

I love her. Her poems are amazing. Keep it up.

[@hellomisshaley]

i've watched this at least 10 separate times, and every time, it makes me cry. this is SO beautiful.

[@sydriam999]

she is amazing

[@sleepynatural9500]

This is my favorite.

[@iSayThisApp]

you changed my life. Bless your poetry and words

[@Omauri09]

I just cried listening to this!! AMAZING TO SAY THE LEAST

[@remnantfewministriesminist495]

I love how I love this poem. Goosebumps. Thank you.

[@fluffypuppy0]

Wow. It is awesome to hear this poem.

[@2noifoi4]

omg this has me in tears . i love her

[@keya0053d]

never has a poets words rocked my core to tear from my soul... being used by the only one that knows the beginning and end of our potential is worth every hard learned lesson. Much love!

[@tiara29963]

It’s 2020 and I still come back religiously...

[@emeliaacquah9402]

Beautiful. Thank you for writing this.

[@poetrydj09]

Wow! That was fantastic!! Just wow!!

[@jadacarrington6008]

I love this so much!!!!

[@sydriam999]

This made me cry so much

[@delightluther]

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PIECES

[@royalawesomeness1]

Amazing.

[@whatsnot2adore21]

by far my favorite peom ever!!

[@A__sweeet]

love it.

[@naphtalianmanner4257]

man im inspired...geez such talent...

[@BeautiFulBLiSS3]

I'm so speechless...as always when it comes to her poems

[@SaintzRow13]

Amazing!!! Loved it

[@DarkVeracity]

This woman is so great....amazing

[@UCFCelebrity]

Beautiful and sincere ministry....

[@ajf098]

Every single time I hear her speak, it does something to me that I can only express in tears.

[@JonahSeven]

This poem left me Breathless! Intense.... God is Good

[@Alexandriaspeaksout]

Gosh. This was stunning!

[@czickgraf]

Best, best poem ever. I love seeing your mind work, dear Alysia. You wrote it AND memorized it in one freakin day. That is genious.

[@jorgelopez138]

I just love her.

[@EmilyNicolexoxo]

completely took my breath away.

[@anthonyourbrother]

C'mon phoenix...rise up we got u...❤

[@Go_Ranei]

YOu are very inspirational. I always enjoy hearing your work.

[@kimpossiblemusic]

makes me cry i love her complexity depth fearlessness

[@fitlife1]

Lovd it!

[@funny11231]

so incredibly beautiful

[@JabbaJae]

Greeting the mirror like a criminal in a line-up. I cannot get enough of Alysia Harris.

[@Scythesyn]

This is powerful!

[@Mznandy]

My favorite poem by her since she has been writing !!

[@shessimplynikki]

This poem makes me so damn emotional. It speaks my life on so many levels. Thank God for Strivers Row

[@tamarelouw]

I never not cry for every single poem, breathtaking

[@xoxojordi]

Your beyond amazing.

[@kimmiloves420]

Gives me chills.

[@fu_raha]

Powerful! Powerful stuff right there.Thank you!!

[@jeanlove3640]

Years later and I still cry when I hear this.

[@TheBrittanae]

Alysia your words are truth I can always related to every poem write. Bless you and your art i'm sure you touch alot of people with your work!:)

[@DJThATsbRIsk]

Crazy good!

[@spiritcandy]

Her poetry truly is amazing. I could relate to this so much. Especially the "you believe in God but you do bad things" part. She spoke the truth.

[@crimsonsun73]

Wow! I don't have the words...

[@misskimhall]

WOW!! I felt that all the way down in Mississippi!!! Great poem!! I love the way the poem invokes so many emotions that you become the poem.. Well actually, you are the poem and I LOVE it!

[@IdaAxoxo]

still amazing!

[@Pnelson1984]

You are AMAZING!! Your gift of words have the power to inspire and transcend all boundaries and limitations. Please continue writing and sharing your wonderful gift.Be Blessed!

[@yakiisuperstar]

OH MY GOD I LOVE ALYSIA FOREVER AND EVER

[@TheOchibi1]

so beautiful

[@darinak2235]

I love this

[@JoiUrAddiction]

Oh man, she killed this

[@198tennispro]

her poems make me feel .. they make me cry . shes amazing

[@nayeberry]

goosebumps wow truly genius and inspiring

[@Kittykatxyz22]

The first thing I wanted to watch in 2021

[@carlaocampo4805]

beautiful :'-)

[@roxieg1]

This is honestly one of the best poems I've ever heard

[@sonatajoyy]

Wow, so good.

[@keithko007]

Girl you really amazing!