Brandon Leake: POWERFUL Poetry About Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake...

[@mrmojao]

Man, it's weird how this dude's poems can tangle my emotions. I mean, music often moves me, but this, this moved me in unexpected and different ways. Brilliant!

[@kieralucasapoloniocasimiro3328]

Rafael Lipiani totally agree

[@etaylor100]

“Will no longer be her son but America’s next most popular hashtag.” Damn. Wow! Powerful! Voice of a generation!

[@GamingForGains]

He’s your voice of a generation?! Geezus christ. Half the ppl he mentioned were criminals getting what they paid for with their own actions. But yeah he’s the speaker of a generation. Up there with Gandhi, and Abraham Lincoln, as well as Rosa parks. You think Rosa was standing up for criminals? Nope.... he’s just your Version of a “generational speaker” LMAO 😂

[@etaylor100]

jason wheeler Wow, you must be fun at parties...

[@GamingForGains]

I don’t bring politics up. But when they try too jam it down my throat. I’ll speak out. Maybe his mom should teach him to be a good citizen. I’d say his mom failed him by letting him become brainwash, telling him he can never succeed bcuz of our side things you can never control. That’s not how you make a boy into a man. You make him accountable for his own actions. Take responsibility. Bcuz it’s only criminals who have too fear the law.

[@firstlegend5105]

Honestly he sounds alot like 'Kamal Saleh' when he spoked about 'The Meaning Of Life'... Such a powerful and meaningful voice

[@johnnysimms3817]

@@GamingForGains Just because you're a criminal, doesn't mean the police has the right to take your life? yeah maybe they were criminals but we're humans man, we make mistakes. that doesn't mean we always have to kill the people who make mistakes

[@mitzipartin-swift3429]

I am a 59 year old white woman. Today was the first time I had ever heard of Brandon Leake. After watching several videos of him prior to this one, I had already fallen in love with his talent. I have been so very moved by every poem he spoke. I will always be searching him out to see what he does nest. In Regards to BLM and and all the violence and hate and destruction that has taken place in these last months in America, I have had an extremely low tolerance for anything to do with BLM. All I saw was Chaos, Rage, Hate and Destruction. The message got lost in the chaos. As a mother, Brandon, through your words this morning, I too, like Howie said, could feel how your mother feels. Hot tears rolled down my face and I could literally FEEL your mother's fear. I had a negative attitude towards BLM prior to watching this but you opened my eyes to the TRUE MESSAGE that BLM movement had begun with. YOU are SO very special and I will be including you and your family in my prayers. Thank you, young man, for moving me so very deeply. May I suggest you write something regarding the struggles of being a young black man in America but making sure you focus on how the violence and hate needs to end. Hate will never win in any movement for truth. Your message made sense and it was spoken with such deep pain, conviction and love. The true message of BLM has gotten lost because of violent anarchists who have taken over the streets 'pretending' to share the emotional pain and struggle and they are turning the whole movement into violent chaos...the message gets completely overlooked and lost. I believe your voice could start a change which could change America. May God Bless you, Child. I can only imagine how proud your mother is of you. Much Love.

[@fionarangel9486]

@Tyler B #2 two contradictionary statements. Are you saying you're more likely to get shot by the police or less likely? How about listening to the man's words and just appreciating what they mean. Just because you're white, it doesn't mean that you cannot listen. Ignorance is part of the problem here, and "waaaa what about me..." attitude is just laughable. Give it a rest.

[@deannamorring7877]

While I applaud what seems to be your slight awakening, I must implore you to remain from making suggestions regarding someone else's personal narrative. This/was his story. Accept it for what it is. May you continue to listen without bias.

[@MyDreamIsAStory]

Poetry has such a strong place in my heart. It’s my passion, the way I express myself. What this guys does is so powerful. He has me clinging on each word, shaking me to the core. There is a reason he’s my favorite. He speaks the truth.

[@ComelordJesus777]

@Mr Potato Head how about the 14 yr old girl Jacob Blake raped???? How about her??? Why would you defend a rapist? And George Floyd was no saint either. He wasn't murdered. Watch all the footage by OAN news. Watch it. You people scream injustices. Listen and obey and you live another day. You are creating reverse racism. Now it's BLACK PRIVILEGE. We will get back to normal. This crap will end.

[@calebscott4196]

@@ComelordJesus777 we are not saying these are good people. We are saying they were innocent when they were killed by the people who are supposed to protect us. And the way you try to justify brutal murder with their pasts, proves how disgusting and racist you are. No one is creating reverse racism. If you’ve seen all these white people fighting in the streets for our lives, it is beautiful. The only people creating racism are the ones who justify murder, and believe black lives don’t matter.

[@marijotells]

@Ivan Shivolski There are many different types of poetry; it doesn't all rhyme.

[@barbiedee11]

His words are his power, but it is his delivery that fires the. arrow straight into your heart. The raw emotion, the connection, the rending of his soul, make his joy and his pain our own. The ONLY AGT winner that has made us THINK as well as FEEL. A champion of body, mind and spirit.

[@joshuaamadeusishak1887]

He can be an actor as well if he chose to.

[@bruceberry8264]

I am white. 62. I let the words and music of Bob Dylan's Hurricane in. I thought I understood what Neil Young was singing about in his two songs, Alabama, and Southern Man. I have to admit tonight that I have lived my life far from the reality of what Dylan and Young must have been feeling when they wrote those songs. Brandon Leake brought it home for me tonight. I cried Brandon Leake. Let your words become the first emotions of every living room and breakfast table in the country. No more “wrong place, wrong time, wrong skin color”.

[@lauriegentry7764]

I cried too

[@leedaniels8823]

DITTO! This young man needs a PERMANATE PODIUM in the spot light! Words can move people, and this young man moved Mount Everest!

[@grimmmunro2279]

I cried too,if those words don't affect you..whatever colour you are...then you have no heart or soul.wonderful poet.

[@GamingForGains]

Cried?... I laughed the whole time when I saw this fake ass crap. He don’t care about black lives lmao

[@EgyptianDarling]

@D Legend I don't know if you are just a troll or have no clue what Bruce Berry is referencing with the two artists he mentions, which their songs at the time pertained to the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s. In the midst of Beetlemania, these two artists put it real in the music about the treatment of blacks in America, which was considered taboo at the time. Either way, you are an idiot.

[@teniechafabre]

I AM THE MOTHER OF A 10 YEAR OLD BLACK BOY. MAY GOD KEEP HIS ANGELS AROUND MY SON ALL DAYS OF HIS LIFE.🙏🏾😌

[@angelawerner9551]

Amen

[@remwilliams813]

god bless you ma’am.

[@darragh3072]

Praying for your son throughout his lifetime, God bless mama!

[@teniechafabre]

@@darragh3072 Thank you beautiful 😍

[@King-E-Roy]

God bless both of you always, you’re an amazing mother🙏🏻❤️

[@natesvideos7339]

I completely understand why he got the golden buzzer. That was powerful.

[@mvh_ian]

i don’t understand why

[@bleeuk]

Sorry, i think i was watching another show, i didn't get it at all, with the events whats been happening at the moment, it was uncomfortable for me personally, the main key it felt to me he was trying to do rap talking singing.

[@SaturnXC]

This is what actual poetry is, most of you wouldn’t get it and that doesn’t surprise me.. sadly. This was fucking amazing

[@BERSERK263]

@@SaturnXC this is pandering to victim hood culture, no one would dare not clap for fear of being shamed and labeled a Racist, this is not talent, at least not to a the level that AGT should be at anyways

[@SaturnXC]

@@BERSERK263 Another person who doesn't understand poetry

[@icesk8mike]

He’s the reason I submitted an audition tape to agt next season I wanna be just like him

[@beeparkinson-cameron221]

The best of luck to you :)

[@icesk8mike]

Thanks hopefully I get a callback to audition for the show

[@onuohatheresa5579]

Best of luck friend

[@icesk8mike]

@@onuohatheresa5579 thank u So much

[@sugarbabene]

good luck !

[@robertbenson6721]

Lin Manuel Miranda should cast this guy in one of his productions.

[@mariabetancourt6797]

I thought the same thing

[@bellaberkshire1997]

Omg fr I know him and he is the nicest guy you will ever meet and his wife is the sweetest kindest soul!! He would honestly do soo good in one of his productions!

[@Rubylove48]

Hello. He’ll be hiring Lin Manuel soon. This man is a more honest writer than Lin Manuel.

[@seanomore4956]

Lin Manuel should have this guy writing one of his productions.

[@simply_bubblyyy3035]

OMG SAME I LOVE HIM AND LIN

[@nonyabiness4023]

Dude! You just won to me! Speak!!! I’m that mother! I’m that mother with black son’s and 1 black daughter. I’m that mother who got that call! God bless you and keep you young man!

[@vanilla50]

Tell them to cooperate with authorities today, wake up tomorrow, sort out disagreements day after tomorrow.

[@luciajohnson4674]

God bless you lady. I FELT this poem and I am so emotional right now. To read what you wrote broke my heart. I am so sorry....

[@janellemitchell6247]

My prayers go out to you! May god Bless and keep his hands on you🙏🏻🙏🏾🙏🏿

[@Gearmeshkutt]

I'm a white man with 4 daughters. I have spent a lifetime trying to keep them safe and well. It breaks my heart what you have gone through. We have to stick together to keep working towards a future where we are not breaking hearts like yours anymore.

[@vmmcknight2501]

Well done

[@edelenj48]

How dare you make a 72 year old man cry like a baby. My hat is off to and my heart is so glad to see and hear you please don't stop love you my brother.

[@blessedone726]

I love that the spoken word is getting the attention that it deserves! As a poet myself (I would be too scared to do what he does) I love seeing this because we can express ourselves through our words! His first one moved me to tears and this one I was literally crying because as a mother and grandmother and auntie, I worry too about my family. This hit me in my heart.

[@ervinfidelis747]

Mhmm sure. Always that one person that must say they are poet as well but anything for some likes right pathetic.

[@ervinfidelis747]

@@blessedone726 It was okay. I mean clearly I was right that you lied. Btw thanks for proving me right with that hahaha pathetic how people nowadays would just say things just for some attention and likes haha sad.

[@ervinfidelis747]

@Mr Potato Head oooh im scared now haha sit down kid.

[@blessedone726]

@Mr Potato Head Thank you, I reported him.

[@ervinfidelis747]

@@blessedone726 lol next time dont create fake stories for clout mate.

[@parahandy2000]

Somehow watching this for a second time is even more moving than the first. For me, this was Brandon’s standout performance and I’m so glad he won. I’m sitting here trying to catch my breath, wiping away tears from the emotion he creates. Well done Pookie

[@adamaharonoff3191]

I can literally see the emotions popping out of my screen, rushing into my heart!!

[@jonathanhsu1281]

We're here for you, Brandon! BLACK LIVES MATTER!

[@leviathaven]

It was the first time I actually cried when somebody was talking about all the stuff happening in America. I am so sorry that I can't do anything to help from the small city in Russia, but I pray everyone will get the justice they deserve.

[@BERSERK263]

These criminals don't deserve praise or sympathy, almost all these types of cases are violent or repeat offender's that assaulted and resisted lawful order's. How about thinking of the real victim's(like the woman he sexually assaulted) or the real heroes, our Law Enforcement, which most are good, brave Men and Women that actually protect people, not assault, riot, loot, and murder innocent American's that just want to live in peace, and provide for their family's, Mainstream Media is lying to you, has become a huge problem and helped created this unrest, this was pandering Victimhood Mentality Culture

[@BERSERK263]

@Sarah McFarland I'm all for that.

[@davidkellogg1011]

Anybody that can go on stage, and command the room like he does is AMAZING......he grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go.....he absolutely deserves to win.

[@AsomsomA]

Im an asian living in the otherside of the world feeling, understanding what it meant. That was so powerful. 💙💙

[@shantcheetah]

Glad you enjoyed this poem brother..

[@nathanielranney9163]

@adibese found the racist

[@nathanielranney9163]

@Sarah McFarland no u.

[@nathanielranney9163]

Do you think just going around saying "I hate blacks" is the only way to be identified as a racist?

[@andrealevy8482]

@adibese get help

[@anshu_sh6211]

I want him to publish a book including all his poetry work I would love to read it🥺👏

[@sarahstricker3408]

Howie was in pure awe when he finished. it shows how moved he was and how eye opening that poem was

[@walicea40]

Absolutely amazing! I felt the fear of so many mothers of those kids of color. I heard the fear, the anxiety, but more than anything, I heard the love. I’m sorry for the pain! I am a mother of a young man of color that is serving the nation in our armed forces, and it pains me that while he is good enough to risk his life for the ideals of this nation, some will never see him as enough, even tho they themselves have nothing to contribute to the development of this country. All I can do is pray that my own “Pookie” can make it home. Peace...

[@rossanaglasgow2561]

Who was crying while he spoke. Felt his pain .......Spoken word away to vent Black American feelings.

[@angelawerner9551]

I can't believe the judges weren't crying. I was so overcome with tears.

[@wethegamers870]

I wasn't crying, the dude was defending criminals and showed victim mentality.

[@angelawerner9551]

@@wethegamers870 I will pray for you. How sad that you have that perspective.

[@aowin5022]

I hope Brandon get's through, Listening to him is the first time I actually understood poetry. He's something special

[@chanetmonet7169]

He did an amazing job. He captured my attention and held it for the duration of his performance I could not look away. I felt every word he said. I felt all the emotions he intended to trigger. This brought tears to my eyes. Very talented young man.

[@patriciacrawford3550]

I’m in awe of Brandon’s talent...Thank you Brandon

[@marcos7801]

A powerful performance and eloquently spoken.A powerful,relatable,and fitting message for the tumultuous times we're living in.

[@waynelynch3862]

''Stop scrolling. Watch this now.'' Howie Mandel That was powerful. It touched my soul.

[@loriboulais2924]

I had to go back and watch this on you tube after watching it on AGT. It gave me chills. As a white mother to two adult white men I know what it felt like for me worrying about whether they would come home every night. I can't ever begin to understand what it feels like for moms of color. This poem and the movie, "American Son," totally helped me realize just how scary it can be for blacks. I know when a cop gets behind me driving that all I have to worry about is getting a ticket or maybe going to jail, but if your a person of color you have to worry about all that and whether you will make it home alive or not. No idk believe the blame completely falls on the police, but we need to have a conversation at some point, that both sides can see and work towards change.

[@chardonnay04]

Please don't refer to US as "color"

[@Itzchandan024]

So much heart touching presentation from brilliant Brandon.

[@chrissybrooks2252]

Was sitting here watching this and without realizing it tears started running down my face...the emotion in his voice is undeniable

[@bleeuk]

really i think i was watching another show that night, the main key it felt to me he was trying to do rap talking singing, and felt uncomfortable

[@Japanjeff]

This took the breath out of my lungs! It stopped my heart from beating! It put tears in my eyes! One word, POWERFUL!

[@mayokunoke2424]

Thank you Brandon Leake... This is not about having been my favorite act of the night, but lending your voice to what the world needs right now - this conversation.

[@GrapeApe2018]

We just witnessed the most powerful moment in talent show history. Bravo!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@BERSERK263]

Seriously? Expectations of AGT has gotten really low

[@lindawilliams429]

He has in his powerful words has just put into reality every fear, every prayer, every deal that we make with the Heavens, to please send our children home safely!! Thank You.

[@cynthiaharley6742]

I feel like your Mother gave Birth to a Boy/Man/Human that WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!!! ❤️

[@belen.bradford4]

I’ve never had a fond of poetry but damn his performance changes my view. He 100% deserved the win he got.

[@kimjones5925]

Please, please, someone with the financial backing and ability to make it happen...put this man on a stage around the world! People will pay to see him. Period

[@carlamatos9645]

Brandon, thank you for sharing such a personal creation. I have taught poetry, writing and oral performances. Yours is perfection! Your writing and presentation perfection! Your content heart wrenching. It brought tears to my eyes. Win or not, ( I want you to win), what you have shared is powerful and unforgettable. I hope America is listening and feeling your heart.

[@cmqguy]

It was powerful and moved me to tears 😭. Wow I hope he gets through to the next round. There have been so many different acts this season other than singers. Him and the WAFFLE Crew are my favorite this year. I know a singer might win but both acts are changing the landscape of this show.

[@shantcheetah]

This is a wonderful poem, made me super emotional..

[@Lily-if6go]

I have a black son and I'm in tears. You said it honey, I pray for my 19 year old black son everyday..

[@kjjohnston9565]

Powerful and moving! Everyone should hear this. He is a presence

[@keziah5281]

IKR

[@artisansworks]

He did a beautiful job of speaking his heart, documenting these hard times.

[@ruthhatch9573]

This guy is what we black mother's need 😲 he's awesome. Please make it home to your mom SON. My heart is shattered i have a black SON i pray every day that he makes it home. I'm scared for our children. GOD we need you OUR CHILDREN need you.

[@najafa3520]

So he's what Black mother's need, and he isn't even man enough to be with a Black Woman! lol. Anyhow, he needs to go HOME to his little family right away!

[@Kate-om4rl]

@Sarah McFarland exactly....🧐🧐🧐

[@jelpozon2540]

That was very powerful message! Was crying the whole time. I wish you and all the people of color(black, yellow or white) safety, security, and love.

[@dizznmo1728]

Brandon is obviously a great poet, the one about his sister had me crying uncontrollably. I lost my big brother so as a little sister it was so special to hear what he felt for his sister as I believe my brother felt the same, I only wish I could have one word or moment with Chris, my amazing brother! I’m sorry for what his mother has gone through dealing with the fears of a having a black son and the things he will face. My heart breaks over the division in our country but outside of the protests and the violence that follows them I see that most people, Americans feel the same that we need to stand together and stop the hate. The media tells us that we hate each other but that is the lie and it is causing us to burn down our own communities and sadly sometimes kill each other. We don’t need media and politicians to tell us how to think and feel. We simply need to speak to each other and realize that really, we are all on the same side. We all want to love and be loved and the color of our skin should never matter. We are all Gods children, all human for those who don’t believe in a God but we all matter! 🇺🇸💗🙏🏻✌️

[@Logophile813]

YES! Exactly!

[@julianatakenaka7438]

I hope this guy wins. He’s amazing.

[@Jared-xf5xl]

He shouldnt win for saying a few words

[@TheHalloweenKing]

Ole Smoky what’s the difference between that and a singer?

[@Jared-xf5xl]

@@TheHalloweenKing Hes saying a few words and granted it's a good message, He shouldnt win because he is black and said BLM. There are countless others way better than him. The main difference between him and a singer is he doesnt have to be talented to say those words while singers bust their ass off rehearsing and preparing for that moment

[@deborahsmith9232]

He’s a fabulous young man and he’s has a great future. Please Howie make sure of this please. 61 year old white grandmother. He’s fabulous😀😀😀😀😀

[@carysandersen9692]

this was so powerful and i’m so glad he got a golden buzzer, he is so amazing and powerful

[@jesusiskingofmyheart]

Wow, just wow. He is amazing! This was so powerful 👏🏼😭❤️

[@robingupta5057]

I'm 28 and I'll never get over this performance till the day I leave this planet! ♥️

[@keishaa52972]

This gave me chills. Fantastic job pookie

[@sarahann9450]

I literally adore this guy so much hes got something special!! I get chills each time I watch him. Hes already won ❤

[@braidsandbeyondbyrozy]

This guy is so talented he reminds me of Chadwick d wakanda king..... Soar high bro

[@madunkechi2008]

Extremely power and painfully touching. I’m practically in tears here.

[@tshepomatlheketlha8284]

I cried!!! What an amazing poem. So educating, so emotional. I love you, Brandon Leake

[@QBU719]

My favorite of all his performance. wow. i hope people are actually listening and connecting.

[@nebbs04]

As a African-American father of a 19 year old son in college... these words hold true for fathers just as much as mothers. We ALL feel this pain...

[@tienbisono]

All the words are just banging my heart upside down...alive...beating... Just love poem...love you, brandon....

[@katiey4005]

i really want him to win edit: YES. HE WON.

[@monicagomez4616]

Such a beautiful and powerful poetry on a topic that’s relevant in today’s America. I fought back tears hearing this story of a black mother’s fear, and it’s a sentiment shared by other Black mothers about their sons, Black men not coming home because they are in the wrong place, at the wrong time, in the wrong skin color. Their fears have merit based on video evidence of police brutality against Blacks, Browns and certainly Whites too. I just read about the fatal shooting of John Albers, a White teenager by police. What did he do to warrant being gunned down in his driveway as he backed out not aware police was there to do a welfare check on him. Imagine that, a welfare check leads to police committing a deadly shooting of a young White teenager.😢 Having police authority doesn’t mean they are allowed to commit manslaughter and not suffer the consequences. It seems apparent to me that what happened to Breonna Taylor and Albers can happen to any of us, no matter our skin color. Some police officers are obviously unable to perform their duty ‘to protect and serve’. They demand respect but don’t give it in their supposed professional conduct. Bad cops are giving good cops a bad name. Good cops should never cover for bad police behavior. I’m grateful for those who risk their lives to shoot videos of police brutality. The fear of Black mothers and other relatives or even friend that their son, relative or friend is gunned down by police who target them primarily because of their skin color shouldn’t exist in modern day America. It just shouldn’t be happening at all. It’s preposterous that it is happening also daily. There are those incidents we don’t hear about. There are those incidents that doesn’t have video evidence to prove what Black men have been saying for decades. For decades they suffer racial profiling, brutal beatings and shooting deaths at the hands of public servants who are sworn to UPHOLD THE LAW. Public servants are NOT supposed violate the law to ensure the law or escalate any existing hostilities and tensions. What will America do to end this kind of fear? What will America do to end police brutality. Possibly, nothing, at least anytime soon. And so protests against police brutality persists, and rightfully so. I’m for ALL LIVES MATTER including White, Black, Blue, Brown, etc. So saying Black Lives Matter does not negate the fact that other people’s life doesn’t matter. I see as a call to the persistent matter of police brutality with no end in sight. Thank you Brandon Leake for your boldness in transmitting your message global in such a beautiful and powerful poetic way. Well done!👏

[@CubanMissal]

That's my National Poetry Slam teammate! And he's astounding ❤

[@Jania390]

I love all of these spoken words. It all has touched me. This one alone should have won the competition

[@devinadebnath6257]

I love everything about him, the language is simple yet elegant, and his act makes sense 👌👌👌👌

[@riseasthedawn-6250]

'hole can be safehaven for a soul' 😭

[@susiemedina4661]

GOD BLESS THIS YOUNG MAN.........HIS WORDS ARE POWERFUL

[@b.e.r.nnetwork8251]

I can't look at this man! This man makes this man want to cry and I don't like crying.

[@julianickel7020]

This was beyond powerful, tilted my world in ways I didn’t know I needed. Thank you, Brandon.

[@ZGBrickfilms]

This was a really powerful performance, I loved everything about it.

[@timothywright6219]

What got me was "3/5ths more than they expected us to be" as in referring to the 3/5ths compromise. Wow he truly integrates every detail and rhymes when he needs to rhymes and writes amazing pieces.

[@siddharthlucky4570]

I never knew how much i like spoken word before listening Brandon Leake. If you are ever starring in a show, id be the first to get them tickets.

[@Denisemarek]

This is brilliant! Bravo Brandon! Powerful, important, personal, and you are a blessing to this world!

[@allwysarose]

He found the words to break our reality down to everyone!! It definitely spoke to me. And I could feel his pain and feel his message.

[@ronangreen8348]

if anyone wants the lyrics i had to write them for school, it took me like a hundred years so ill save you the trouble :) When I'm up here on stage they call me Brandon, When I'm with my homies, they call me BN, When I'm with the ladies… let's just say… They call me taken because i'm already happily spoken for. But, When I'm back at home, my mama, she calls me Pookie. And no i'm not afraid to admit it, My mother calls me Pookie at like the most inopportune moments. For instance today on my way here to America’s got talent, My mom screamed out the front door ‘Make sure that you call me when you get there… Pookie.’ And like, I get why my mother says it out of courtesy, But to be real, I don't understand why my mom’s so concerned with my safety. Praying for me as I leave the house on the daily cause, I'm just a young man who has faith in jesus. The same way that stars have faith that space will protect them, From this galactic bully we call gravity. Who longs to turn their star to a splendid spectacle, For passive buyers to watch in awe of its death, so yes. I never really understood the issue. And then I went on Facebook, And I realised that my mama loved me, The same way every mother loves their son... Fearfully. Cause normally death don't really bother me, I mean I'm from Southside Stockton. I'm all too familiar with how some family reunions, Only ever take place on graveyard grass, And how a hole can be a safe haven for a soul, In this mortal game of hide-and-go-seek but... There's something so different about Ahmad Aubry, George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Jacob Blake, And the countless others, And as I stared at that screen I couldn't help but think, I was looking at a mirror image of myself, Being choked out *breathes* for merely existing. Or for daring to be more than three fifths of what them folk thought them to be, Or maybe it was simply due to their hue And in that moment I better understood my black mothers greatest fear, Was every time I leave my home, On the other side of her phone, Will no longer be her son, Will be America's next most popular hashtag. Accompanied by video of her young star, Being gunned down by gravity, As my stardust has turned splendid spectacle for, Passive buyers to watch in awe of my death, so yes. My mothers greatest fear is that I won't return home breathing. Blood pulsing through these veins, enough to still be her Pookie, And my mother warned me. ‘Son, don't you ever get caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, With their royal coloured skin. Because those three strikes, they leave the pine box convictions, And I need you to return home my Pookie again.’ So dear mom.. I promise you this. I will do everything in my power to make it back home to you. But if I don't, just know you was the very last thing on my mind, And I will always.. Always.. Be your Pookie

[@annabellethedoll4032]

When he said he would make every effort to make it home to his mom, I lost it. What talent. What raw talent. (I also noticed they didn't cut to see the judges reactions during the performances. I hope they continue that.)

[@Lightning-speed27]

"Peace means a flood of love in the world family." Sri Chinmoy. Love to you all from Koala Land!

[@anto44rf71]

Man this moved me a lot!

[@hafsaafsheenanchorgreenps3253]

To be honest, I really admire how he delivers his and how he did it at the right time when the whole world suffered due to Covid-19. Way to go Brandon!

[@akumzkangs6573]

This guy is one of the best production in the world that I had ever seen in my eyes keep it up God blessed u a long life gottation is so powerful

[@julieo3813]

I’m glad he took his dream. Still remember when he told the class he was leaving because he was going to Agt 🥺

[@jewelsunu4557]

This brought me to tears.

[@rpgray8188]

This is the most powerful thing I have ever heard

[@McGrey450]

Damn....like I did not start this video with the intention to cry and WOW

[@karensmithj9235]

Beautiful. Nothing else but Beautiful and touching. Heart felt

[@ScreechieDeech]

This broke me down to tears........It became REAL and I felt it! I understand.

[@julianadelao5377]

Crazy how his words and demeanor can paint and create the pain . Powerful.

[@ingy291]

I call my daughter Pookie 😂 My son is Baby 💕

[@create1o]

SouthSide Stockton. I love to see great representation of Stockton. 🥰

[@explodingfiregaming]

I love story telling and he's an amazing story teller.

[@ateishabrandt8011]

"Don't you ever get caught in the wrong place, at the wrong tim, with the wrong colored skin..." This got me!😢😭😭

[@anamenezes4658]

We really expect Mr,Brandon Leake to win this competition. He really is an amazing good POET. No dancer, no singer, no magicians, nor any other talents presented this year (maybe even on past years) can be more touching and spectacular than to watch and to hear Mr. Brandon proclaiming his poems. He really is a unique and sensational American Got Talent winner .

[@augustinagonzalez1447]

Thanks for doing this Brandon! I seriously had goosebumps! So good! I hope you win!❤✊🏾

[@maritzamuniz2028]

He is amazing 👏 What a truly gift this world needs to hear. God thank you for this spoken gift on earth. Wow

[@isaiditskoko9119]

Man when I say instant tears! This is our future people unless we get out and vote

[@lakisha8059]

Omg he is amazing GOD BLESS HIM🙏🙏🙏HE IS A LEGEND🙏🙏🙏

[@nope5498]

This was so beautiful and moving.

[@maryjanemiles722]

Brandon is a SUPER STAR!

[@dattaprasadavadhooth_sings]

Woah.. That was seriously powerful

[@sukogaming5526]

yes,even my granmom says this to all her grandsons and granddaughter

[@lauragarriga1196]

I was rooting for him since the first time he appeared! So happy he won!