Jasmine Mans "Dear Ex-Lover"

Performed Live at Le Poisson Rouge on 1.13.11 at The Strivers Row Showcase
www.thestriversrow.com
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thestriversrow.bandcamp.com

[@LILBOOTYTINKA]

*NINE YEARS LATER AND THIS POEM STILL GIVES ME CHILLS

[@tinkerthetinyrobot]

2022 still hittin

[@TheAlreadytaken24]

2022 still listening

[@SugieLopez]

12 years later, still makes my eyes water 💕

[@stoneychi8648]

I am now 26 and when I say this poem still sticks with me I was 15 when I discovered this and man oh man

[@vt7165]

Wow Same. We have the same timeline

[@lindseyhandley3270]

Sameeee

[@diamondlove495]

Same I was 12 (I'm 20 now, time really does fly by ❤️)in a difficult childhood and know what I didn't want from this

[@stoneyhighhigh3677]

It's amazing to see how these words touched us as teens an now transition into womanhood

[@tijahnaeking4986]

Dear ex lover, I promise I'll stop chasing your memory in my dreams. I'll stop bringing your name up over cups of coffee. muffins, and loneliness. I will marry a man, and I will lay my heart on his chest, like red roses on mahogany caskets. And I'll have his daughter. And she'll have eyes reminding me that God still believes in second chances. And if she ever decided to date a woman, I will love bravery down her spine. I will be reminded of all the times where we loved like there were expiration dates tattooed on our inner thighs. If she ever comes home with eyelids like cracking levies, bruised kneecaps, and a heart full of question marks, I will hold her like my mother never held me. I will clasp her face in my palms like the New Testament on judgement day. I'll tell her that love is the passion that allows you to do the right thing. And no woman can play coaster to half-empty heart. And if she ever feels as if she's alone, As if she is not a hand-me-down fabric pulled out of the depths of mommy's closet, I'll remember your name and I'll mumble it under my breath. And when she asks me what did I say, I'll tell her that I know what it's like to drag a woman out of a cold war, And then being too worn to clean up the battle field that it has made of you. I'll tell her that your heart sounds like gun shows tripping over battered cement. I'll tell her I know what it's like just to want somebody to remember you. And that some women are as foul as expired men in produce aisles. And that apologies are like oxygen masks on hijack planes. Forgive yourself before you ever forgive the person that's sitting next to you. I'll tell her to never regret loving in permanent ink. And that scars only give your stretch marks something to gossip about. And that hearts and stop signs are fraternal twins, Lost in open roads and hollow chests. If my daughter's mirror is ever unfamiliar and she is too embarrassed and prideful to run into mommy's arms, I'll pray that she has friends with hearts filled with thousands of fireflies. Who are not too cool to pray with her. Who will tell her to stop looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and find God in the darkness. If my daughter ever walks in my house like shattering class, I'll tell her about you. I'll tell her that we hurt like C-Sections birthing dead babies. And that we cried together. And that we prayed together. And that we laughed like our smiles were the only ones that mattered in this world. And that we hurt, Like women who loved women, Who loved people that did not love us. Dear Ex Lover, I hope my daughter never knows what a goodbye kiss feels like. I hope she never knows what "I'll see you later" really means. I hope she never memorizes the dial tone of a last conversation. Because a broken heart feels like poisoned butterflies taking their last flutters in the pit of your stomach. Dear Ex Lover, I hope my daughter never bears her soul at a poetry showcase, With her first love sitting in the audience- Knowing the same hands she'll use to applaud her with, Will be the same hands that will never hold her again.

[@mariemecisse1347]

Wow.Speechless.Haunting

[@flottdmarieforde5739]

Tijahnae King wow

[@mrs.juliojones6816]

Tijahnae King thank u

[@glowinglowa.k.agloriaelsah6084]

Tijahnae King : im cryin a lot

[@curlyrae8775]

Tijahnae King hu

[@ki2poetry]

" Stop looking for light at the end of the tunnel and find God in the darkness " Wow I love that part. This poem is so heartfelt.

[@Dehnia31]

Call Her Red yes that line was dope! One of my best lines

[@kaytal013]

Call Her Red Yassss!

[@elishamiyahira4301]

Call Her Red m

[@bangtanwings4854]

Yes, that line struck me most.

[@nishyla]

"Apologies are like oxygen masks on a hijacked plane, forgive yourself before you ever forgive the person sitting next to you"

[@nishyla]

*to

[@SovereignStarzFlow]

Love this line

[@nishyla]

+Chance Epps me too!!!

[@StefanStuart1]

Much love hun x

[@Jess-xl1wd]

❤️❤️❤️

[@mikaylavel]

¨Dear Ex-Lover, I hope my daughter never knows what a goodbye kiss feels like." powerful

[@erinnord4520]

Still gets me everytime. "I'll tell her about you."

[@jennahmoss6504]

The part that had me was when she said "I'll tell her to never regret loving in permanent ink" and at the end when she said "I hope my daughter never bares her soul at a poetry showcase, with her first love sitting in the audience knowinh that the hands she'll use to applaud her with Will be the same hands that will never hold her again"

[@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597]

Jennah Moss a classic I even I had tell boyfriend either we can't make through like a dead pan stereotype special ed class making a stuttering cause,okay?

[@jasminlowe9321]

coming back to this poem over 7 years later and i still cried like it was the first time. So appreciative of her talents, she was one of the driving forces for why i started writing & doing spoken word.

[@futticapchick]

Every time I watch it it's Like my first time watching. . She's amazing

[@evalynnaserna5260]

My God this woman can make you cry. Her voice, the soul behind it all is what brings tears to my eyes, I can't help relate to such dreary lines, reminding those of who hurt us so much, such ingrates and their lies.

[@jasminepruitt5519]

The final lines of this poem really hit me so hard because I did that! I read a poem about a guy that absolutely shattered me, at a poetry reading with him sitting in the FRONT row, knowing that that would be the last time I ever feel his arms. This poem is so real! Thank you!

[@alexyirving9635]

I performed my first poem in front of the ex it was about too. Strength has no words for it

[@TheFashionBarbie04]

listening to this while in a relationship vs. going through a breakup is an experience. damn.

[@KimberleyLane14]

"I hope my daughter never knows what a goodbye kiss really feels like." got me, but then the last minute shattered me.

[@glambitious91]

This poem has still made me feel all warm inside and teary eyed . I discovered Jasmine Years ago and this is the poem that made me fall in love with her craft !

[@mayaalston1488]

EXACTLY. still relevant.

[@SongStressMarie18]

All the 100's of times that I watched this video I felt & completely understood her pain but never once did I cry until this very moment idk why it made me cried but I did Update: still watching this video 2 years later & I feel the same exact way

[@queens2nd2none]

Wow!!! She just ETHERED her ex lover!!! Her ex lover left her for whatever reason, shattered her but Jasmine survived and she is reborn as a result! She became powerful, a vessel, a testament of rebirth, a messenger to her someday daughter. She "will hold her like her mother never held her, she will clasp her face in her palms like the New Testament on Judgement Day" Powerful!!! I wonder if her "Ex-Lover" knew she was about to get body bagged in the audience when she went to see her ex perform this night. She took her ex and put her and a body bag and put the body bag in a body bag!!! Applaud her Ex Lover... without you we might never have discovered Ms Mans... so applaud her!!! It's probably because of you she discovered her gift... but it was God that instilled it in her, you just woke it up, so applaud her but you can't hold her ever again.

[@lizabrannon8022]

She is the one in the body bag, not her ex. This is not a poem of victory and joy, it is a poem of death and sorrow. I know what it feels like to love a woman but know that you could never make the choice to live in her arms. I know what it feels like to fear never finding love again because the truest love you have ever felt came with a vagina, and shame, pain, sin. I know what it is to feel like you are slapping your God in the face everytime you touch her, kiss her, go to bed with her, love her. I know what it feels like to say no to love just so you can say yes to God. I know what it feels like to die.

[@DestinyTheBeautiful]

Liza Luther I'm glad to know that even with the pain that came with it you chose Him and I'm sorry it had to hurt.

[@kaytal013]

Liza Luther I'm glad you clarified that cause I was confused for a minute.....I thought the poem was about what Jasmine went through from breaking her Ex Lovers heart or something like that. lol! Please share any insight you might have on what Jasmine's poem meant cause I would love to hear your take on it. Now shade to the brother or sister who originally posted their take. I don't always get the right perception on what certain poems mean either.

[@aiken3589]

Liza Luther that was beautiful

[@lizabrannon8022]

Please let me know what you would like more clarification on and I will be happy to share.

[@LILBOOTYTINKA]

2016 and still love this

[@freesince1865]

yyyaassss

[@jillianthornton3840]

2017 and stil loving this

[@asias3000]

Jillian Thornton same

[@aikochan24]

I don't know if I should tear up from the feels or give a loud clap that wouldn't be heard by anyone but myself.

[@lorawiles4127]

My favorite piece from her. Especially now going through a breakup with my girlfriend. "And that we laughed like our smiles were the only ones that mattered in this world. And that we hurt, Like women who loved women, Who loved people that did not love us."

[@LoveQueenBianca]

This poem never gets old .

[@keannanembhard4890]

no matter how old the video gets, her words refresh me everytime I come back. I love J.M. with everything in me.

[@90sBabyNERD]

that very last part always gets me

[@gabrielgirlz2848]

I will love bravery down her spine! DAMN!

[@setonida5514]

finest line too

[@kaytal013]

Ronnie Gabriel I love that line! #yassss

[@TheBlackstah]

This still gives me shivers, regardless of how many times ive watched this.

[@honeybeeklo83]

I’ll always come back here. Happy national poetry month

[@bryannacopeland7998]

I needed to hear this. I can totally relate to this. in tears:(

[@setonida5514]

I know what its like just to watch someone to remember you

[@tylermcinnis1158]

"A broken heart feels like poison butterflies taking their last flutters in the pit of your stomach." Amazing.

[@lakeithmunford1747]

Back again ! I still play this poem to help me through . Thank you

[@ChantelleRodgers]

Dear Ex Lover, I promise I’ll stop chasing your memory in my dreams. I’ll stop bringing your name up over cups of coffee, muffins, and loneliness. I will marry a man and I will lay my heart on his chest like red roses on Mahogany caskets and I’ll have his daughter and she’ll have eyes reminding me that God still believes in second chances. And if she ever decided to love a woman, I will rub bravery down her spine. I will be reminded of all the times that we loved, like there were expiration dates tattooed on our inner thighs. If she ever comes home with eyelids like cracking Levis and bruised kneecaps and a heart filled with question marks I will hold her like my mother never held me. I will clasp her face in my palms like the new testament on judgement day. I’ll tell her that love is the passion that allows you to do the right thing, and that no woman can play coaster to a half empty heart. And if she ever feels as if she is alone, as if she is a hand-me-down pulled out of the depths of mummy’s closet. I’ll remember your name and I’ll mumble it under my breath and if she asks me what I said; I’ll tell her I know what it’s like to drag a woman out of a cold war and then being too worn to clean up the battlefield that it has made of you. I’ll tell her that your heartbeat sounded like gun shells tripping over battered cement. I’ll tell her that i know what it’s like just to want someone to remember you and that some women are as foul as expired men in produce isles and that apologies are like oxygen masks on a hijacked plane. Forgive yourself before you ever forgive the person sitting next to you. I’ll tell her to never regret loving in permanent ink, and that scars only give you stretch marks, something to gossip about and that hearts and stop signs are fraternal twins, lost in open roads and hollow chests. And if my daughter’s mirror ever looks unfamiliar and she’s too embarrassed and prideful to run into mummy’s arms I’ll pray, that she has friends with hearts filled with thousands of fire flies, who are not too cool to pray with her, who will tell her to stop looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and find God in the darkness. If my daughter ever walks in my house like shattering glass, I’ll tell her about you. I’ll tell her that we hurt like c-sections birthing dead babies, and that we cried together, and we prayed together, and we laughed like our smiles were the only ones that mattered in this world. And that we hurt like women who loved women, who loved people that did not love us. Dear Ex Lover,I hope my daughter never knows what a goodbye kiss feels like… I hope she never knows what “I’ll see you later.” really means. I hope she never memorizes the dial-tone of a last conversation, because a broken heart feels like poisoned butterflies taking their last flutters in the pit of your stomach Dear Ex Lover, I hope my daughter never bears her soul at a poetry showcase with her first love sitting in the audience, knowing that the hands she’ll use to applaud her with, will be the same hands that will never hold her again. genius.com/Jasmine-mans-dear-ex-lover-annotated

[@theilchic]

Every TIME!!! Almost 11 years laters and I'm teary eyed!!

[@ShadowIsMoi]

Oh god. I have long been searching for a poem that has made me have goose bumps this way since "Just Friends" and "For Colored Girls" and I think... Part of my heart died with her and part of it revived with her. Just all the snaps. Everything about this makes me want to stand and applaud you.

[@10fame254]

who is "Just Friends" written by?

[@deaitrajones7]

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL ... God bless the the wounded fruit of this world... And please keep your armor of protection around this nation's nurturers for we are all your children...Mold us into what you want us to be... Amen..

[@loladior1]

Every time I watch this. I get chills.

[@kimberlycondiff9858]

Same

[@candaceparker9563]

"a broken heart feels like poisoned butterflies taking their last flutter in the pit of your stomach"....

[@bellalovato7558]

Candace Parker my favorite part

[@candaceparker9563]

Bella Lovato. I love it

[@slwilks92]

Listened to the poem for 12+ years and today I finally felt the words in my life.I’ll miss that lady and love her forever 🥹💔

[@NiqueGotHimOnLock]

This had me in tears and this has helped me with my past situation that just seemed so hard to get over. My heart just felt so weak and bitter always a smile on my face but inside a freezer. I just want to thank you for allowing me release my tears that I have always bottled up inside. Giving me the chance to show my insides and not my outsides. I just have to say you have a gift and that god specially created you lots of love.

[@ki2poetry]

" Your poem doesn't start until you tell the truth " #SpeakYourTruth *Poet4Life

[@FeliciaRedmondlishar91]

no woman can play coaster to an half empty heart! Deep! snaps

[@alexandrabanda8092]

What exactly does this line mean?

[@bayou1swagg]

+Alexandra banda it means no woman should be loved by the left over part of a heart. basically don't half love ppl. imo

[@netaimondal6848]

Felicia Redmond xxx

[@jessicaholder6046]

Wow this was amazing! Reminds me of my last relationship. Although I'm over the situation, this reminds me of the pain of that situation. I truly hope no one experiences it. To love too deeply is to allow yourself to come undone.

[@reesegreen1326]

I held my breath during the whole poem ... This poem is EVERYTHING " I know what its like to drag a woman out of a Cold War and then being to worn to clean up the battle field it has made of you"

[@scarletteady2259]

this spoke volumes to me. I just cried. no poem has ever made me cry.

[@4islandbeauty]

I heard this poem almost a decade ago and it always broke me the emotions she puts in her spoken word my goodness..glad ive healed. Such a talented woman!

[@Omauri09]

This video makes me cry everytime I listen to it... So powerful!

[@mymyislove2]

I love and understand Jasmine Mans. She is one of my favorite poets. WOW!!! Still crying.

[@HaterzGoneHate]

Have watched this a million times!!! And till this day I still love it just as much as I did day one !!!!! 😩

[@TheNickbaby24]

I've probably watched this 100 times and it still affects me emotionally. Amazing talent!

[@justinw.7407]

I watched this a year ago, I watched it again, and I still have the same feeling. Jasmine, you are an amazing poet.

[@kylawhite3842]

2021 and I'm still crying my eyes out because of this

[@kaffybasaru5786]

I remember adoring this piece during heartbreak in my teens, so beautiful ❤

[@fatumatasheriff112]

Wow I'm speechless totally speechless. A million word can't explain how I feel about this poem...

[@indicamariposa2014]

Found this poem my freshmen year and ever since then I loved it and I still cry listening to it.

[@thandekathemba3952]

I wish I could like this more than once !!

[@troymorales484]

2018 and i still listen to this.

[@lauren1389]

Lord Sandwich same

[@aaliyahhunter642]

2019❤️

[@BBjollibean]

I can watch this over and over again and still shed tears

[@keannanembhard4890]

Years later and this still is and will always be my favorite piece of art.

[@kimberlycondiff9858]

This makes me cry every time man, she has a beautiful way with her words.

[@lawrencenicol8563]

Whenever I need to be inspired I come and listen to this.... Thank you Jasmine!!!!

[@akldarkdiva14]

This is one of the most beautifully uncomfortable and personal things I have ever seen. I love how she let's us in. One of my favorite poems of all time. Thanks Ms. Mans.

[@mesha0615]

I crieddddd when I first heard this.! Heartbreak HURTS

[@job8500]

My God so feel this right now!!! My "Dear Ex-Lover" was male but pain and lost is the same it just hurts!!! Still I rise.

[@Whatsteasis]

This STILL HITS♥️

[@amourlashai]

In tears. 😭😭😭 This is so heartfelt. So much soul into this.

[@keimiahpettaway2157]

amourlashai ppl

[@MegaJessyMessy]

i love love love this poem!!!!

[@bjohnson9320]

"Stop looking for the the light at the end of the tunnel and find God in the darkness" Such a powerful statement

[@arithepoodle]

Jasmine Mans, Jasmine Mans... how do I always end up at this poem. I've never felt every ounce of a poem before until this one. Years later, I feel it even more.

[@honorablybrii7382]

Still here 8 years later!!!

[@sunshinejones1775]

Amazing! Spoke my heart right there

[@ItsSeo]

i am in tears ! #Amazing !!

[@itsLAMIday]

I watch this every single day. Multiple times. I lobe it so much.

[@rushekageorge6798]

Man i absolutely love this like yesss, never gets old 💞

[@BryansBoo5]

I spent an hour looking for this!!

[@queendolly1993]

Absolutely amazing!

[@31Snic]

I felt every word of that poem.thank you

[@shaudarebirth9437]

This still speaks to me!!!

[@JuliaMallozzi]

jesus. that was one of the most powerful things i've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

[@broadwaybound42895]

wow....She is so amazing and brave.

[@PRICYnk]

Have to listen to this every so often....amazing

[@prissybloo]

my favorite of all her poems !

[@rodio265]

This is just amazing so inspirational too!!

[@Geebaby85]

Love it! this hit home..

[@rorosanders9229]

I listen to this every day ! I love her !!

[@xoreocutieexd]

this is so beautiful , i can't stop tearing

[@samanthavickers2019]

love love love this!!!!!!!

[@Ambitious2x__]

love love love this. It's so true to life. Respect.

[@meryameelbettal7801]

2017 and still craving over this poem

[@jihadmuhammad2158]

This one is too amazing !!! I love her

[@foxxy6959595]

I love this! Could listen to her all day. She's amazing!

[@MrSethkai]

No words to describe this blessed incantation ! Love !

[@TheWanderingWolf]

I can watch this poem over and over again and everytime i find a new part that i just LOVE or can relate to! Thank you for sharing.

[@sky3passion]

I wish I could love this..beautiful piece

[@Reshae]

Back again- still hits man👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@lcapitan8286]

WOW is all I can say! She is truly amazing and I must find her!

[@GracefullyKaren]

I've watched this poem so many times. Powerful so amazing. Love.

[@pifflundberg]

Just can't stop listening... Wow no words. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul on stage... Thank you!!!

[@jeanlove3640]

2018 and I still love this! Speaks to my soul so much ♥️

[@loveBubble08]

i love this poem, always makes me cry, beautiful!!!

[@90sBabyNERD]

I so need this poem right now.

[@azzievania6389]

God this made me cry. I felt this all in my heart😣💔

[@kgaononyane3869]

I cant get enough of this poem oh my god it gives me goosebumps