Lost Count: A Love Story

This clip is from HBO's Brave New Voices. I do not know the talented gentlemen from the clip, but I do believe they read your comments so keep them coming. I read your comments as well, and I must say your feelings echo my own. Peace and Love

[@LilRacksxx]

"In the 14 days it took us to write this, we've had to add more names to this list" 😢

[@mgray999]

+Racquel King I like only to support your comment.

[@awesomenova6355]

@@mgray999 same

[@melsonleon]

"I play pick up basketball games with ghosts" -damn

[@nomejodan4232]

that got me

[@nia-simone8749]

"IM 18 I PLAY PICK UP BASKETBALL GAMES WITH GHOST." I'm from Chicago and this poem gets me every time.

[@djhardcorproductions6132]

'Playing pick up basketball games with ghosts' That part!!

[@SuperBrownCanadian]

"i play basketball games with ghosts" that one got me kodos to you

[@AleshaPryor]

I almost cried in class when my teacher showed us this video. now I showed my parents

[@aubryanapayne9136]

This poem brings awareness to the commonness of teen death in Chicago. As someone that has never been in a living situation where my high school peers decreases at a daily rate, this poem really touched me. I really can't fathom the emotions that these performers feel, but i can feel the emotions that resonate in their words. The words that stood out to me the most was the line where they said, "I play pick-up basketball with ghost." This line emphasized the innocence and youth within these lives that are lost.

[@destininicole1969]

this gives me the chills and makes me cry every time I hear it

[@awesomedeal]

I'm 18, I play pick up basket ball with ghosts. snap snap snap.damn.

[@KristianCheyenne413]

"I play pick-up basketball games with ghosts." hit me like a TON of bricks.

[@illuminatemics]

we wrote the poem in summer 08.

[@kingstoeck]

What about all the other children that die?? Why does color have to be brought into it?? Just can’t get behind that.

[@savannahj9268]

Bring back Brave New Voices

[@multiracialbabe]

"I'm 18!! I play basketball games with ghosts!!" & " Will they ever call your death beautiful...a sacrifice...a love story to be jealous of? How many mire deaths will it take before this....is considered genocide?" I LOVE THIS POEM!!!!! THIS MOVED ME SO MUCH I WROTE ONE WITH THE SAME TOPIC, ONLY NATION WIDE. ITS CALLED DEATH COUNTRY. SO FAR THE PEOPLE WHO HAD READ IT SAYS IT'S STRONG.

[@myluv2x]

Still so painfully relevant. I'll always love this.

[@qU33NR3d]

I'm from Chicago, and this poem means so much to me. These two young men deserve to be applauded. " Every intersection can become Virgina Tech, so excuse me if the media be missing my emotions" This has to stop ! I fear for everyone of my loves one everyday because of the violence going on! I take a ride on the bus and I witness people getting beat up. This isn't how life should be. " How many deaths will it take before THIS is considered genocide?"

[@two2birds]

As a recent graduate of Chicago Public Schools and a person who has known some of the Native Sons (and Daughters) who have set. Their skill and sincerity strike deep in me. To top it off, the make a allusion to Richard Wright's Native Son. Altogether, this viewing has touched me more than the first time I saw this when the documentary aired.

[@somebodysrelative]

The other night I had a dream that I was with a group of teens and we were killing people. I have never in my life had dreams like this until lately since gangs are shooting more frequently without reason in my hometown, Omaha. I was frightened by what it meant. I still don't get it. This poem instantly made me break down. I don't know how it happened. I am still silently crying as I type this. These killings make no sense. When I have dreams, they usually come true.... con't

[@somebodysrelative]

Let's pray that this senselessness come to an end and soon. Before long we will have all been shot for initiation, for entertainment or something else stupid. IT HAS TO END!! I pray that God shines His light upon people my age to stop them before they harm more of our family, friends and more importantly, themselves.

[@GeniusisCommon]

Wow! Everyone who even remotely cares about youth violence should watch this dynamic duo spit their Truth-to-Power. -Bruce George, Co-Founder of Russell Simmons, Def Poetry Jam on HBO. Twitter: @brucegeorge1

[@xxxjerome117]

"im 18, i play pickup basketball with ghost" This is such a powerful line, the hair on the back of my neck and my arms are standing up.

[@Skinnyblue1606]

@gigglez5667 you're missing the point. These are people's friends, family, and lives being taken away because of ignorance and the impression our generation has given. And you are focusing on if the were black or not. THEY COULD BE ITALIAN, JAPANESE, BRITISH, DUTCH, OR BRAZILLIAN FOR ALL YOU, ME, AND THEY SHOULD CARE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH FEAR RUNS THROUGH MY BODY WHEN WALKING HOME FROM MY BUS STOP? And the sad thing is that my bus stop is only 2 houses down from me...

[@meka12393]

This literally gives me goosebumps and brings chills down my spine everytime i watch it...

[@lilxshyyxboox]

seems like its more about life in general ... it doesnt matter if your black white brown or green sometimes walking down the street can be something you fear. ... it doesnt have to particularly be gang violence or poliece brutality sometimes its just the chaotic mind set of people roaming the earth ... some people are just ignorant

[@itsbeen108]

@aria I'm here in the chi everyone is killing each other gangs killing the innocent cops shooting everyone cus they're scared I feel bad for aurora Colorado but that's like Friday nights here we need to stop this and there is no real rhyme or reason to do what they do or anyone they respect enough to stop it

[@katiecheerlove]

I am a small white girl from no where Texas who grew up pretty wealthy, but the grass on the otherside is only an allusion. My sister died in a school shooting with countless others, I never got to say goodbye. No matter how diffrent our worlds are, we all bleed red. Thank you, and my whole heart goes out to all of you and the ghost we both once knew.

[@Mishka73]

I am sitting in my classroom, preparing to teach and the tears are streaming down my face. Simply incredible.

[@licknsugar]

my heart hurts, too many of the youth in this world are sacrificed for pride, and uneducated "beefs" the voices in this group have been heard and the ripples of words can reach unknown ears. strength and honor,selflessness and hope is what i heard through them. this can change!

[@psykotic23]

untold emotion comes frm this poem and the realization that something frm the past will always hunt our future...."IM 18 I PLAY PICK UP BASKETBALL GAMES WITH GHOST" the feelings coming frm these 2 are real and until we as a nation overcome our past this will always hunt us

[@jamie6506]

"Will they ever call your death beautiful? Your life, a sacrifice? Will the meeting of blood and bullet ever be called romantic, A love story to be jealous of? (Christian Lemot) Chris... I remember you when Guatemalan green matching your flag on your independence day. Your hair was a black puff of curl and confidence. In homeroom, you always had homies in the hallway waiting for you. We're still waiting. I couldn't sleep for a week When you washed up waterlogged in the Calumet river Puffed and purple like violets before bloom. (Edwardo Peña) Eddie... You were the first to say hi to me first day of school when I stepped in with Bugle Boy jeans and a high top fade And I saw *you*. Possibly the coolest dude to ever grace elementary. September 22nd, 2006, 8th period: "We really need to hang out." "Yeah, that'll be cool." "I'll see you later, D." September 22nd, 2006, 8:30 pm, maybe a little later than I thought When your path ended on Vincennes road Rundown by bad luck And a police officer. Lives like these shouldn't be shortened Sentence fragments of a future And in the fourteen days it took us to write this, we've had to add more names to this list! Because in this city, before we blossom We must weather storms unforecast because, Every intersection can become Virginia Tech! So excuse me if the news be missing my emotions. See, being brown in Bigger Thomas's town makes you endangered. And in the past *two* years, I've seen over *sixty* natives sons set in their graves! I guess this is the part where poets produce plans, and We don't have any! In Chicago, anyone under age twenty is a target And I don't know how to do more than be afraid That the age allowing me to be on this stage Might have me murdered by Monday! I'm eighteen! I play pick-up basketball games with ghosts! Is there a reason I'm making it out of a community that has martyred young men I might be mistaken for? I! (Christian Lemot) Don't! (Edwardo Peña) Know. Will they ever call your death beautiful? Your life, a sacrifice? A love story to be jealous of? How many deaths will it take Before this is considered genocide?"

[@AliciaDaQueen]

This gets me every time .. This is more relevant than ever. When does it all end? Why do we have to worry about being gun down instead of being able to live through our youth? Can we just live and live scared to be in our own skin?

[@AzriellaVeRaon]

Someone told me Poetry Slams just devolved in to epic rap battles of poetry, and I sent him this video. I told him that it is called a slam because slams are loud and so are we because we slam the words that nobody wants to hear but everyone is dying to say.

[@lyricalabyss]

Having been raised in the "Wild 100's" on the southside of Chicago, having experienced my younger brother being shot and killed as well as two childhood friends, this performance I found to be gut wrenching. Absolutely brilliant performance!

[@technicolorblinded]

It's 9:37 in the morning where I am, and I'm crying. And I'm sitting here in my office desk, safe and sound, wondering what the hell is going on in the world, and how we're letting all of this happen. There has to be some way to turn all of this around.

[@mrsyourlastname1]

I really don't cry but this struck a big chord and made a crier out of me. To hear the word genocide put to these deaths makes so much sense and makes me wonder why oh why is it not taken more seriously.

[@jazzitup3811]

I've been watching spoken word for years and I finally got the courage to make my own video. Please come check out my first video. I'm still growing but I really appreciate it.

[@crossbones2776]

The funny thing is the poem is older than that I am thinking a good few years I may be wrong but I remember quitting my 10 year old job in 2009 and I saw this way before I quit.

[@Uniklymade1]

I've watched this vid so many times that I practically know word 4 word. This is deep n I hope kids stop killing kids. In Newark, NJ Bloods n Crips continue 2 kill each other, senselessly

[@JamesEyeView]

Wow, this something i can honestly understand and identify with. This is a reminder of what really goes on in the hood. Not that shit you in cookie cutter rapper's lyrics and videos

[@bcuria]

@iykkem1 i think you missed the point ... it was a poem about being a child and watching other children die. it was an outcry about the entire outrageousness of such a reality.

[@Slytherinprincess06]

@sugacookie1990 Will they ever call your death beautiful? your life a sacrifice? A love story to be jealous of? How many deaths will it take before "this" is considered genocide?

[@marisac2691]

9 years later and still so relevant.

[@BelleMoonProductions]

Oh my God. I am so heartbroken from watching this. I hope they read the comments. I am sorry for your grief and applaud your talent. You two can make a huge difference.

[@jazzy15287]

I live in chicago & this poem is 100% true. My own cousin got shot down only a few block from my house. This life is crazy in the city. Its not a wonderful life to live.

[@unbaweaveable1]

Everytime I Hear This I Cry. I Am So Proud To Call Nate Marshall(The One On The Left) My Brother. Porbable My 20th Time Hearing It With Tears Just Like The First

[@Elliecabe]

Oh my god... thinking about this made me cry because I live in chicago and I know the consequences of having dark skin in "ghetto" can get me killed any time during the day.

[@joelthildebrandt]

Just wanna say thanks for doing this. You guys rock. How can anyone possibly condone the attacks on black kids, on people of all ages even?!?! This must end!!!!

[@SuperSusand]

I Cried Hearing this Becuase It Aint Nothin But The Truth & It Has ' nt Got ANY Better . I Can Tell Far Too Many Stories Related To This Poem . Saddddddd . : (

[@poohwifee]

with the new stories of all the deaths in chi town this is a must watch and maybe if more people watches this they will understand. still love this

[@aria94]

I don't get why the white dude was saying this was about gang violence when it seems like the poem was all about police brutality against black boys.

[@AngelxSephy]

In tears because of this. I have countless families members there and I worry an pray for them daily. But beautiful poem, has me in tears everytime

[@koolgurl402]

people that dislike this are the people who well...nothing is needed to add to this...love the last few lines of this video!!! amazing job boys!!!

[@dmr1018]

this brought tears to my eyes. i'd really like to use this somehow... is there type of audio recording of this without the crowd, just the boys?

[@TashiSoCali]

My thoughts exactly. Did he miss the part where the boy was "struck down by a police officer?" He specifically referenced his skin color.

[@jerimiahjohnson8113]

OMG this was a very inspirational poem i understand being a young poet I have seen many things and this poem broke me down in tears.

[@lexitomlinson3464]

I love Chicago because it is my home city. The gangs there are horrendous. I wish someone would step in and save these kids.

[@Dwritewell]

SO SAD THE NAMES IN THE BACK DROP... LORD BLESS US SO WE CAN STOP KILLING EACH OTHER ... LORD BREAK THE CURSE OF IGNORANCE!!!

[@sugacookie1990]

i love it but i didnt get the end, can someone please write it down so i can look the word up? engl is not my motherlanguage:S

[@bcuria]

these boys nailed the whole concept of poetry beautifully. ** the poem was creative -- loved the female voice reading the statistics in the background, with the poets picking out some of the names and eulogizing the people. ** it was performed flawlessly and with ingenuity -- with the delivery coming from one or both to show individual voices and dual emphasis. ** it was well-written -- with poignant choruses, engaging rhythm, effective pauses, and heart-wrenching emotion. ~ BRAVO!

[@DrFreakishfreak]

It is sad to see so many kids die on a DAILY basis, be it from gang violence, war, famine; A child should be allowed to live, should be allowed to go out and play without fearing for their life. A child should never have to think about how dangerous the world around him is...Kids all over the world are dying because they were born under the wrong star, because of the color of their skin, their religion, their origin, their culture, all these reasons for which they die for are supposed to be reasons for which they should be celebrated instead...Difference is beauty!!...I live in a city where diversity is appreciated in general, and when I go to a park and I see black, white, yellow, brown and red kids playing together (not using colors in a derogatory way here), not seeing the other kid's color, only seeing their soul, I cannot contain the joy I feel in my heart...Why can't it be like this all over the world?

[@beccie678]

I have been desperately searching for this since Trayvon was murdered. I am so glad to have finally found it. #hoodies up

[@jayduh10]

I'm crying like a baby. The exact same genocide has plagued my city. Taken too many lives. YOUNG, innocent, fresh lives.

[@01choicelover]

"how many deaths would it take before this considered genocide?" Chills & tears all over! My God, save our children!!!!

[@lissahxox]

wow. this really got to me.... two of my friends were murdered. they were best friends, it happened one month apart.... :(

[@ShaniPooh]

Wow that was really deep! I 've never seen Demetrius perform until now! The violence in Chicago really has become worse!

[@magpy284]

Today I showed this to a classroom of kids at our school on the Southside of Chicago. I thank you. They thank you.

[@beautifuly3made]

its about violence in general. Gangs, police, and any other form of violence that is killing the youth of Chicago.

[@AnitaNicole23]

& no matter how many poems we write or stories we tell, Still this day nothing has changed. All we can have is hope.

[@RunAmok86]

The girl at 1:08 did this performance for the same program: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4OvhJqGhqxjmZY&feature=player_embedded

[@jessijade1]

My techer told us about this and thats how I got to this this is so good look at the one with alicia we saw that to.

[@Sista11]

Every time I watch this I cry..this poem definitely tells people what its like to be black and live in Chicago..

[@schooldaze21]

dude i actual cried.. listen to this.. i live in the chicago south souburds.. and felt the pain of this poem..

[@gigglez5667]

the first boy they talk about is from guatemala and the second is named eduardo.... all about black boys?

[@SugarLoveRae]

"In the 14 days it took us to write this we had to add more names to this list" Chills. I just can't.....

[@brownpup3456]

Those who disliked this have serious problems, and I will assume they have their ow emotional difficulties. This is possibly the best thing I have seen a high schooler step up and do, it is so inspiring.

[@soinluvwitmusic21]

being a teen in chicago i kno 1st hand how yall feel, truely amazing and touchin...they all we b missed

[@Tank122103]

Everyone they are talking about was shot down unjustly in Chicago where crimes like this is never solved

[@lydayjr]

still get chills aftr 18 times of watching this still keep rewinding after the big lines. i love this

[@QuizYa]

old comment i know but... it's some of the people that died that they wrote the poem about. "In the fourteen days we had to write this, we've had to add more people to this list." see?

[@2fine4u94]

How Many Deaths Before This Is Considered Genocide ? That's A Damn Good Question . Powerful .

[@SOokiiBabyy]

i'm from hawai'i. but that was deep, amazing, and powerful. a touching poem. RIP those who were lost.

[@bleuaja]

I tutor jr. high school students. This performance has been used many times as teaching tool. The kids watch this on their own. I always walk away as soon as I hear, " Will I ever call your death beautiful." Love to you & your co-performer!

[@lyingmongoose]

My mother looked over at me as I was watching this and was worried by the look on my face. I finished the poem and turned to tell her I was alright, but the words twisted in my throat and erupted into a sob and I cried uncontrollably, unable to utter a word until I had to catch my breath or else start hyperventilating. I finally told her, "Don't worry about me, mama. I need to feel this pain." And she understood. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you so much.

[@Casperski1312]

Jesus I did not expect that, tumblr. Its four in the morning and I'm sobbing like a child.. bravo.

[@TheBestVloggerEver]

@XxHahaStonedxX Wait... Your English teacher is Mike Gerbino? That is insane, I envy you insanely!

[@redblueflame]

"i play pick up basketball with ghost" you boys talk straight to the heart, cried the entire time

[@ceceliaruca]

this is fucking beautiful in every way possible. thank you for the chills and awakening words.

[@AlleyahEdream]

They say times are different but to be honest. no they are not people are still racist, don't tell us it doesn't exist anymore just because you don't see it. we get followed in stores, targeted by the police I don't feel like no one owes the world anything but respect.

[@culocagao97]

1:08 Alysia Harris! if you do not already know her, go check out her videos she's so talented

[@1StTheeTruth]

So so sad but oh too true. Living in those streets made me believe I'd never make it past 10

[@shaniawashington7960]

I definitely cried a little

[@abriljohnson3056]

I'm not the one to cry but damn it...it broke me... the world needs to open there eyes...

[@eflat1968]

Hello from Oakland,CA This just wonderful a blessings it is ! I will be sending this out on email, FaceBook & MySpace God Bless.....

[@cecenicole200]

I love this poem....... same death cycle different year, when will it end............

[@peacehippielove26]

A teacher showed this in his 5th grade language arts class I observe in. Truly moving.

[@hheaatherr]

no matter how many times i hear this on my ipod, it cuts me deeper every single time.

[@kyristal]

This one gets me every time .

[@TheStoneZilla]

@TheBestVloggerEver my teachers name is Mr. Cambra, uhm... *googles "Mike Gerbino" O_O he looks exactly like my english teacher...

[@1StTheeTruth]

Those 7 dislikes came from 7 people that can't handle and rather not hear THE TRUTH.

[@TheOkayCommenter]

carlos andres gomez's poem " whats genocide" sounds like the prequil to this poem..