Maia Mayor - "Perfect"

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"Some conversations can change the world."
See the classic: • Iara Nemirovsky // "An... .

[@celesterenne6215]

The way her voice started breaking when she said I’m disappointed in you I felt that to my core

[@brokensouls1899]

The whole thing gets under ur skin

[@sandra_8694]

That’s when I broke

[@edwardfights4900]

Well the POV from the mother is accurate. She is a joke pothead.

[@amayahytonen5719]

@@edwardfights4900 wtf is wrong with you. she suffered emotional abuse. i was never a pothead, i always tried to obey. did that stop my father from being disappointed in me and run off to another family? no! i’m not perfect but no one ever is.

[@edwardfights4900]

@@amayahytonen5719 Grow up. What are you a 12 year old turning 44?

[@beachlover1233]

When the poem started I was like "this sounds like my mom" and I was laughing a little but then it went on and on and at the end I was crying and saying "this sounds like my mom"

[@elisima8311]

Beach Lover123 same

[@mayahuel2801]

me too

[@carlawoolnough4746]

Same here

[@saeleroo]

I started crying at the part where she started talking about biting her nails, I bite my nails and everybody tells me to stop but I can’t. Maybe if they where less rude to me, maybe I could stop.

[@noname-wf6wb]

this comment gives me more chills because.. "i understand.."

[@farosh-end]

The way she spits out her own name like it's a bad word. That hits hard.

[@wolfone8538]

Fr

[@prayinq]

fr

[@supakku]

Ikr

[@mrptahu4042]

😂😂😂

[@alexkuzmich9227]

“You cant be a rebel maia, you’re not interesting enough” that hit deep fam

[@alexwalbrun6272]

Alex Kuzmich oof, i’ve read that comment at the same time she said it, ant that hit different~

[@ayebruv1964]

Alex Walbrun same😂

[@avivastudios2311]

I think that's my favorite line. It has some comedy to it amidst the sadness.

[@shhdun1440]

1:50 "stop chewing on your nails" Me: *quietly and slowly removes hand and places it underneath table in shame*

[@schizoidseth7404]

I wasn't the only one!! YAY!

[@graced.6639]

Shhdun meeee

[@sydday8189]

Oh my god i was literally chewing my nails when she said that too.

[@matteac6493]

:)

[@esmeraldacamposplata2455]

rip 💀

[@jerigaytroll3650]

"Your less than average face" i don't know what her mom sees but she is beautiful

[@shivins8433]

Ikr like whoa 😱

[@willspy4u]

Maia is far more than beautiful... she's... perfect. ("I love all her curves and all her edges; all her perfect imperfections..." John Legend, "All of Me."). The flaws are the beautiful part. Flawless is so... boring. I suppose that makes me the most beautiful person in the world... because I am massively flawed! :) Maia is so incredibly magnetic - you just want to watch her and listen to her; to empathize with her. Incredibly well-delivered poetry, with devastating depth and breadth!

[@inessa5923]

@@willspy4u She's not perfect though, no one is. That's the point.

[@willspy4u]

@@inessa5923 Sure she is - you missed the entire point of my comment: "perfect imperfections;" meaning I realize she has flaws; but, to the person who admires her, those are "perfect IMPERFECTIONS" -- i.e. "flaws." To summarize: she is "perfectly imperfect;" i.e., she is flawed. And to me, that is 'perfect.' Anyone who is flawed, is perfect in the eyes of one who admires them and loves that person's imperfections.

[@sleepforever9793]

When she says "you disappoint me Maya" I got chills, you can see the tears well up in her eyes Edit: I love when people reply to this comment or like it because it brings me back to this video that is absolutely beautiful. I made this comment four years ago and have watched this hundreds of times and every time is just as impactful

[@jolielawson9390]

The part where she said “but you can’t be a rebel Maia! You’re not interesting enough! ” always gets me :(

[@lalalalalalalalallalalalaalal]

2:35

[@lb4319]

Noelle Baird why does it say 12 months ago and not a year lol

[@aylajensen4106]

you can literally hear her pain..

[@mayafabian6582]

You know the funny thing about this is My name is Maya too. I got a bit shocked at first lol

[@elizabethwilson3530]

"don't give me that look, i'm just trying to help you" lowkey hit way too close to home

[@neneq]

when her voice breaks and she starts tearing up i absolutely lose it and completely break down.

[@irisdarling3065]

adrienne q me

[@antoniaweight3245]

adrienne q same

[@blackcatvibez990]

adrienne q - Oh God that hit me hard

[@raminasavina9504]

me

[@michellerivera8207]

adrienne q same

[@sleshapanthee4709]

Everyone is relating to this as something they heard from their parents but for me, it's something that voice in my head reminds me every once in a while.

[@clareashcraft3411]

Slesha Panthee same here like I see a little of my mother in there but mostly just my anxiety

[@sleshapanthee4709]

Just hope you know you're not alone and we will survive through it all. Sending lots of love 💕

[@anahgalinski8074]

Slesha Panthee yes, same here. that voice or noise in the back of my head that screams perfection and counts all my imperfections. but then remember, those imperfections are what makes you you, those quirks make me me.

[@nikkinixon8417]

Slesha Panthee Same

[@idekanymore786]

Slesha Panthee same mostly it's a voice in my head but every once in awhile it's my parents

[@vuyij3407]

Parents think their words have no effect on us but they do The affect us in ways that seem impossible Your parents words can make or break you

[@saf5523]

This is the truest sentence I have read

[@kacihill4643]

Parents voices become the voice their child hears in the back of their head. Adults need to choose whether to have that voice be negative and tear down our feelings or to be positive and build up their child. Even when we mess up. That’s when it’s most important.

[@sunnyperez9581]

My parents voices are what I hear when I think of myself, about how I'm a disappointment and I ruin everything

[@lb4319]

When my parents had divorced, my mom used to call me “ a liar like your dad” as well as some stuff she used to call my dad but when I finally broke down crying she complained to her mom about it: saying “I don’t understand why she’s crying.”

[@kameyeam]

Bull shit. You make or break you. Personal accountability, says I don't need anyone to love me. I love me.

[@maceyjo1647]

“say yes and ok” “do it with a smile” that hit close.

[@ronifinn9050]

Yes, its not enough not to argue, its not enough to agree and do as she says. "Without making a face". Well im sorry i cant control my face, i was trying to keep it neutral

[@user-yq4dn5fc8o]

I have heard this 10 times and everytime it ends I want to start it again.

[@cherishmiz1500]

Melody Unger same

[@eveyadams-bh4up]

Melody I know right I can watch this forever

[@InsomNia.__]

Melody i have a whole playlist and its on replay usually

[@mehlohday]

hi melody

[@raylynnromero]

Melody same I have rewatched it so much i know it by heart

[@emmaleenixon4450]

"you disappoint me maia" DAMN i got chills. you can hear her break right there

[@myaa5482]

EmmaLee Nixon especially when your name is Mya...

[@haleylombardi2281]

I almost cried

[@IronCay]

Is it bad that I relate.. but not because of a parent but what my brain tells me?

[@carlottarobbins7005]

Sad, but not bad at all.

[@alaskayoung6001]

Oms thank you

[@livirose6086]

I was honestly thinking the same thing. At least I'm not alone.

[@brokensouls1899]

Same

[@DolphinGirl826]

we internalize our parents 🙃

[@lemonherb_9093]

The “I’m just trying to love you” line got me and the “you disappoint me Maia”

[@missseaweed2462]

It's because they're both true, bold, and sharp, like bullets.

[@Criselcustoms]

omg shes trying not to cry...omg i cant breathe :(

[@ILoofYou]

a

[@songbird2614]

They'll break me. With words and with fists, I don't really think there is much of a difference. Fists bruise the skin, words bruise the soul. All I wish is to be free, but that won't come until I'm 18. But it's not a matter of surviving, it's a matter of living. I'm trying to do the right things, say the right stuff, and be the right person. I can't be the right person without losing myself, but I think I already have. My name is Lucy and I am completely worthless.

[@Jordan-gb3yr]

Songbird damn that’s really good..sad, and completely relatable but good

[@MaxRebelliousPirate91]

Same

[@willspy4u]

@@songbird2614 Well, no you're not completely worthless. Pause... and... breathe. 9 months ago, you thought you were worthless; but you were wrong.

[@OhMyLucia]

I don't think there will ever be a time that this doesn't give me chills

[@amandah619]

OhMyLucia me too

[@user-ex3ey9tk5j]

OhMyLucia Same

[@calistaochsner1357]

666 likes 😱

[@daniellahaastrup5086]

Same 🙌🏾

[@idacorduasrensen4871]

ME TOO

[@sphinxtye7688]

„You can‘t be a rebell, you‘re not interesting enough“ That was very hard

[@dawnnicholson962]

i showed this to my grandma and she said “she probably had a good mom, but she just didn’t like her mom” and ppl wonder why we don’t get along with our elders. they’ll never admit they’re wrong

[@thecircusgrounds]

True

[@Louhands]

Ok boomer

[@laellopez3883]

It's ridiculous

[@moon-nv8hg]

so true

[@laellopez3883]

@@sprogg2001 I hope that everyone who watches this video saves this poem and raises their daughters the exact opposite of it because the parent in this poem is toxic and horrible.

[@heystobit4922]

It's sad how many of us relate to this poem so much, sure opens your eyes how messed up the things your parents feed your brain are. Just be perfect they say, but perfection doesn't relate to humanity. Perfect doesn't exist.

[@dianaalvarado7324]

Honestly

[@grimlock1211]

they tell you to be perfect??? shit..mine fought all the time with each other and never noticed me...but said good grades..your doing fine...and went back to fighting. fighting fighting,,,,until one of them died and the other had no one to fight with and so she waits for one of us to visit...and then she fights fights fights. I cant relate to this poem but I liked it.

[@bellahoffman2118]

this is my mom, exactly my mom☹☹😭😭

[@haeun4261]

They will never notice me until i get a bad mark

[@nadiaabassi3607]

Maybe it is just because they love us so much that they wish to see us complete and happy all the time

[@talitalemos883]

"Your life is not a book." - I've been told this so many times...

[@crazy-british-chick9591]

Talita Lemos me too. But I refuse to believe it.

[@amidala9356]

Talita Lemos I read this as soon as she said it, and I'm thinking that I couldn't agree with this poem more if I tried

[@deanibritton6193]

Talita Lemos Mine feels like that sometimes

[@chrisosuna5275]

they’re just trying to break the 4th wall

[@alievisconti2067]

Same here

[@rinboyd5572]

I see this in two ways: One: Parents. They always want you to do just as they say, because they know best. Sometimes they do. Two: Yourself. We all want to be perfect, liked, noticed. You can poison yourself with these thoughts. Stay Strong.

[@annisaandriana6309]

I see it in a different perspective of 'yourself'. The positive one. It is 'herself' trying to tell herself to be better. It is herself trying her to save her from the things which unconsciously 'destroy' her. It is her 'sane, mature-self' trying to improve her. It is about self-love I suppose, when you love yourself, when you are 'aware' that you have to love yourself, you won't let you feel like shit. You won't let your teeth decayed, let your life dull dan boring, let you eat crap, constantly feel disappointed, and so on. I assume it is her inner self trying to 'force' her just to save her. It is the way she's trying to love herself. It is beautiful, tho. Not all people born realized that they have to love themselves. Sometimes, they have to go through hell and shit and realize afterward that 'ok, my life is a mess, I don't like this shit, I have to change'. I do respect her, it is tough to love yourself.

[@angelblessings4065]

I do too! The tiredness in the voice from constant repeating and repeating and repeating and not being heard does result in harshness at times, and the story always has two sides. Still, it's a reminder to parents words, however meant, are heard differently when processex by a child. She was great at delivering this. ❤️

[@steffiec6805]

Definitely saw this coming from herself/ourselves, even with a mother that treated me this way. And then it dons on me why I would talk to myself this way.

[@supakku]

This is so true

[@ishikasunil9743]

I swear to god I've never heard a spoken word being performed better than this

[@spacesaurus7563]

"Stop telling me how you feel" I get this every day.

[@lisabyass5146]

people who have stuffed down their own feelings can't cope when other people talk about theirs. That is also why people can't cope with and try to shut off other people's tears. It triggers unresolved and uncried tears of their own which is incredibly painful for them

[@elifbilgeyavuz2976]

omg when her voice breaks while saying you dissapoint me.... 😢

[@valinis7086]

"You disappoint me Maia" It's amazing how much power words hold and how they can hurt worst than the wound from a bullet. My mom never said that to me but if she should do so one day my heart would break.

[@sydis0n]

When she said "you disappoint me...", the way her voice waivered and eyes welled, her voice was literally thick with emotion. It was absolutely incredible to hear the hurtful words of a mother yet in the emotion of a child filled with grief. That was outstanding.

[@taigencopeland2146]

It hurts me on a personal level to see how much this pains her or how hard it is for her to choke some of the words out

[@Sophia-vx7hf]

"im just trying the help you" that's what they all say but people don't understand

[@thatoneblackiddd7571]

Sometimes helping is good tho but ppl rather push people away then get mad when they still feel the same

[@alleemarieH]

It’s sad how I felt every word she spoke😔

[@Intersexashleyleeanntv]

It like her demons are talking to her and she is talking back to them with confidence. This is therapy

[@KierstinDavis1]

That was perfect

[@aggressivejess2466]

Kierstin Davis I found it breathtaking

[@KierstinDavis1]

Smol English Bean agreed 100%

[@alexistrinity]

You're perfect.

[@toplobster1040]

Kierstin Davis Be *perfect* like me

[@ayushsrivastava9364]

I read it in her tone. It felt even more heartbreaking

[@Chipmunk-tr9pz]

The tear.. I saw the tear at the very end and lost it..

[@brokensouls1899]

Trying not to cry

[@charlesfraunhofer7893]

This is very much like what people tell me: not to write my books, that my clothes are on a bed like my lack of morals, that I'm rebellious and need to be obedient, that I'm not interesting enough, it reflects real life to a tee, this is art!

[@elentiya2853]

I remembered being obsessed with this when I was in grade 10. I'm a freshman in college now, I still am obsessed with this... practically memorised every line already. !! This is such great art.

[@allyh.3450]

Ît was over when she said “You disappointing me.” I cried I never cry But this time I cried because nearly everything she said and so much more cruel stuff person my mum But hey always stay positiv

[@reaiahdavidson8834]

Ally H. Same

[@babayaga4513]

I thought that i was overreacting when i heard the same things from my mother always telling myself that it came from a place of love, thats what my siblings tell me. But the more i look at it the more i realize how smothering a flame with "love" wont help it grow, it will only die out slowly.

[@ailiab373]

Woahh😭

[@songbird2614]

Goodbye.

[@sparrowwestlake7267]

You ok?

[@littlewolf3063]

Yea

[@simranpatel3774]

You disappoint me Maia" is where I lost it😭

[@mitchinyauja]

i revisit this poem like a ritual. maia, idk if you're perfect but you make a difference in lives you don't even know exist, i love this.

[@lenirose1644]

This is so great and emotional The lines "you can't be a rebel, you're not interesting enough" and "stop writing, your life is not a book" really hit home... It's really amazing and I cried like I haven't in a while💕😭

[@figuringthingsout8080]

My mother told me once she felt like she failed as a parent because of how I turned out. In a way I feel like she said all this in that one sentence.

[@percym.6828]

my father says that of my brother and me

[@ggittins4097]

That tear at the end had some hella impact

[@tunezsa3860]

Charlie Gittins ikr..

[@awk-wordwriter7179]

Charlie Gittins same

[@daniellelmftcatp3890]

“You act like the act of listening as a crime as I tell you the six hundred and sixty-six time to stop chewing on your nails”, she references 666 subtly (or not so), calling her mother “satan”. powerful, powerful and well written poem.

[@avilashabiswas31]

This poem is deep as the ocean It describes the mental abuse that the mother unknowingly does to her child but the poem also reflects the hardships that the mother goes through to give her child a better living it reflects that the mother is frustrated and the child just wants to write but this world is too hard to make a living from just writing books The child is exhausted and depressed because of her mother's verbal abuse but the mother had also left her dreams behind to give her child a better life It is so fucking deep ,now I'm crying 😭

[@briannadoraty7301]

this poem makes me think of what my mom tells me all the time

[@ashauntenematthewlove4966]

brianna doraty same

[@shahadkamoona5556]

brianna doraty same

[@wuzgud4929]

brianna doraty

[@martinj8269]

brianna doraty my mom still tells me this

[@cubancoffee514]

brianna doraty me too

[@allieodair]

"You dissapoint me." and the tear in the end...

[@lylacakes1056]

(tear drips down cheek)

[@nelsia5129]

vi b yeah that tear came down at the right moment.

[@zoeyblaze2628]

I was literally saying all this out loud in my room because I’ve watched it so many times I know the hole beautiful piece and my mum literally said- can you stop you are annoying me just go do your homework like a normal child would do just learn your presentation instead of this rambling you do... and I wasn’t even shocked...

[@alexx1806]

yeah oh my god i came back to this three years later and still know all the words by heart because ive listened to it so many times

[@stevieg6113]

Her makeup’s is done amazingly I said that comment before this was emotional 😭 jeez this hit hard I relate to much

[@alanacasanova6556]

Out of all of the beautiful poems I've watched, this has got to me one of the best. Her tone or voice and the way she caries every single words can send chills to your body.

[@thisdudeactuallysaid9711]

you can hear her pain 💔

[@Emily-xz1vk]

I'm pretty sure I've fallen in love with Maia. I could listen to her speak for days.

[@charisleighmusic]

“You never eat the dinner I consistently provide for you As I constantly remind you of the life I set aside for you.” I wept.

[@ifraharshad6103]

I don't know why but I keep coming back to it.

[@friedtaternoodles9200]

"Stop telling me how you feel"" . Holy crap that's way too relatable.

[@nataliamiranda3255]

Those dislikes were crying so much they couldn’t find the like button.

[@Sol-gz4yz]

Lmao the tears made there eyes blury

[@leahhartley9399]

Or they were the parents who realized that they said all those things😂

[@madelinehenry7232]

Michael Atcheson ummm I think ur delusional

[@aphrcditv5928]

Michael Atcheson bruh you dumb asf if you think that

[@ihii8675]

Michael Atcheson Lol, it’s called FREE VERSE poetry. IT HAS RYTHEM AND IS METAPHORICAL.

[@personalityyy]

When she said "be tall" that hit my soul..my mum always says that "you're not tall like me... you're so short...I think that you'll never be as tall as me,do something..BE TALL"

[@lexijobe6076]

This is raw and so emotional you can hear the pain in her voice. You see see the pain written all over her face. You can tell she tried so hard not cry. Its heart wrenching to know that parents don't understand the damage they do on their kids when they constantly spew venom from their mouths. It may be with good intentions but its still venom either way

[@kelly123987]

This is my favorite poem.. I remember hearing it a year ago and it stuck with me

[@aaliyahlehman8586]

kelly123987 same

[@abbyg.8047]

'Why are you down here Maia. Why are you down here when you need to be up here' that's the line that gets me.

[@myliekamdyn]

I listen to this every night before bed

[@kristinjones243]

Same I'm doing it right now

[@romymarij]

I keep coming back to this poem. Years ago I learned to speak the whole poem and I will never forget it. It’s always been my favourite, it makes me feel so understood. Thank you!

[@riahmarie2911]

the way she spat maia as the poem intensified made my heart ache

[@meg_mheachair]

wow this was already my favourite poem but watching her perform it here brought me to tears, so powerful, I can feel her raw emotion.

[@LettreOuverteOfficial77]

May 2019 anyone? This piece is just perfect! 💖

[@just_that_random_graysexua4983]

May 2020 anyone?

[@ranasiaclark8030]

Unfortunately not November 2020

[@sungkyoukim]

keep coming back to this poetry every year and i wish i can click on like button every time i came here.

[@cynthiamendoza3060]

“I’m just trying to help you” I felt that.

[@lightsoul2096]

I am intrigued by these words, her emotion and the tongue ring

[@arjumandbano121]

Light Soul samee

[@ooimadork1780]

woah tongue ring? I wasn't paying attention..o.o

[@moulamour147]

The fact that I memorized this by the time I was 13 says a lot. now I'm 18 and this is still my refuge when my mom makes me feel horrible about myself.

[@kristenmckinney3771]

That's tear at the end always gets me.

[@lou-xr5rz]

every time she says "you disappoint me, maia" my heart breaks a little

[@lou-xr5rz]

3 years later, this still breaks my heart. if anything, it means more to me now because i understand it more now. i don't think parents realise how much their words influence us. i know i'm not useless but i feel like a wreck.

[@evadolla88]

At first I thought this poem was talking to herself but the more I listened the more I realized it was her parents and it's incredible to write a poem like that

[@thecircusgrounds]

“You disappoint me” Me : HAHHAHAHHAHHAHAH why am I in tears

[@jxnnryl4299]

"I'm just trying to help you. I'm just trying to love you, let me love you so you can be perfect" We will never be perfect, we aren't designed to be one. We all have flaws and imperfections but that makes us human. Trying to help by restricting the things that person love to do is not helping at all.

[@ASMinor]

This is a written transcript of "Perfect" by Maya Mayor. This is a public service, and I am in no way claiming any association with this artist, this KZbin video, or this KZbin channel. Forgive how long it is, but this is how that I write lyrics for my spoken word poetry videos about mental health awareness and various other topics on my own KZbin channel. Enjoy! 💓 "- Is there something wrong with you? -A loose screw or two that ruined your ability to function? - And why are you always so tired, - Your life uninspired and small. - All you do is sprawl on the couch with outstretched limbs, - Like a sloth in slow motion. - Where is your devotion to succeed? -Did it drift out the window with the smoke from your weed? - Do I have to force-feed you discipline until you finally concede? -I cook and I clean, - And I don't stop until the soles of my feet bleed, but I'm fine. - I'm perfect. - Be perfect. - Be like me. - Stop wearing those god awful ripped pants - And lipstick like a whore with double D implants. - You only get one chance, - Stop acting like a cat with 9 lives left. - Stop committing yourself to songs and stories and spoken slam bullshit - In a world where degrees and PhDs impede the need for poetry - And stop chewing on your nails. - No wonder you've never attracted any males. - Why do you do that? - Do you like the taste? - Are they sweet? -You can't eat sweets, - You're ruining your teeth, - Like you're ruining your life. - My teeth are perfect. - Clean and pristine, - They gleam like the golden halo above my perfectly conditioned head. -I don't need sugar. -I am above sugar. - Why are you down here? - Why are you down here when you should be up there - With the ones with a promising career, - Who listen when information goes in one ear and doesn't come out the other. -You'll never be up here. - You act as if the act of listening is a crime, - Or you would've heard me the 666th time. -I told you to stop chewing on your nails - Like a goddamned piece of trash. - You have to be perfect. - Be perfect like me. -I get up at 5 in the morning every day, -I start my day in the same way: - Worried that I'll collapse as my bones start to decay from cleaning up your scraps. - Why is your room such a mess. - The clothes go into the hamper, - Not displayed on your bed like your lack of morals. - Not littered on the floor collecting more dust than my withered expectations. - You disregard my rules with stubborn contempt - And a substandard attempt to teenage rebellion, - But you can't be a rebel. - You're not interesting enough. - You need to obey and say okay with a smile on your less than average face. - You need to try harder, - Make it wider, - Why don't you know how to smile? - You disappoint me. - You never appreciate what I do for you. - You never try to be a winner, - And you never eat your dinner. - You never eat your dinner I consistently provide for you - As I constantly remind you of the life I set aside for you. - That meal doesn't pay for itself, - I don't care if it's ideal, - Stop telling me how you feel. - You need to eat it. - Eat it all, - Eat at a reasonable time with a glass of milk. - You need milk. - You need calcium, - Like thou need a catalyst for growth. - You'll never grow to be tall. - Be tall like me. -I drink my milk. - Drink your fucking milk. - Be tall. - Be perfect. - Be perfect like me. - You need to pay attention. - Stop daydreaming. - Stop staring at the ceiling as if you're one redeeming quality is hidden and plastered. - You need to organize your life. -Your life is a disaster just like your room. -Just like your teeth. - just like your future, - Which will soon come to an end if you don't put down that pen. - You need to stop writing, - Your life is not a book. - Don't give me that look! - I'm just trying to help you. - I'm just trying to love you. - You have to let me love you so you can be perfect. - Be perfect. - Perfect like me."

[@briannathomsen8227]

Love it

[@timothylane8722]

the whole poem is written out in get lit rising, in maia's chapter. you can get it on amazon.

[@cheyotic]

I can tell that every time she performs this, she has so much hurt in her heart and so much feeling toward what she has written that she can't help but cry or almost cry. I respect and appreciate that- you know it's real and extremely powerful.

[@Hannah-dt8zl]

"Stop telling me how you feel." That one hit me hard 🥺

[@alexislewis369]

it’s been 5 years since i did this poetry and my school. i broke down crying. i ran off stage, now i am 22. i have a child of my own and i think about that moment a lot, where everyone in my class watched my issues. i hope my son never feels like this

[@MusicLuver0543]

hearing this was even better than reading it for the first time omggg

[@mia8103]

okay i felt a little attacked ... but honestly very beautifully written

[@mailia2874]

Mia Why do you feel attacked?

[@Scarrgh]

@@mailia2874 because it's her name

[@lareinabrown]

I think some of the lines sound like direct quotes from her mom and then it switches back to poetry and the transition back and forth is just amazing and fantastic

[@AlyssaParrilla]

I always come back to this. I can't ever watch it without crying.

[@hannahrivera5706]

I absolutely love this with everything in me.

[@cherishmiz1500]

Hannah rivera I listen to this every day it's the best

[@Strawberrybih]

Perfect Is there something wrong with you? A loose screw or two that ruined your ability to function? Why are you always so tired? Your life is uninspired and small; all you do is sprawl on the couch with outstretched limbs like a sloth in slow-motion. Where is your devotion to succeed, Maia? Did it drift out your window with the smoke from your weed? Do I need to force feed you discipline ‘til you finally concede? I cook and I clean and I don't stop ‘til the soles of my feet bleed. But I'm fine. I'm perfect. Be perfect, Maia. Be perfect like me. Stop wearing those god awful ripped pants and that lipstick like a whore with double-d implants. You only get one chance. Stop acting like a cat with nine lives left. Stop committing yourself to songs and stories and spoken slam bullshit in a world where degrees and PhD's impede the need for poetry. And stop chewing on your nails. No wonder you've never attracted any males. Why do you do that? Do you like the taste? Are they sweet? You can't eat sweets, Maia. You're ruining your teeth like you're ruining your life. My teeth are perfect. Clean and pristine. They gleam like the golden halo above my perfectly conditioned head. I don't need sugar, Maia. I am above sugar. Why are you down here, Maia? Why are you down here when you need to be up here? Up here with the ones who have a promising career Who listen when information goes in one ear and doesn't come out the other. You'll never be up here, Maia. You act as if the act of listening is a crime or you would have heard me the six hundred and sixty-sixth time I told you to STOP CHEWING ON YOUR NAILS. Stop chewing on your nails like a goddamn piece of trash. You can't be trash, Maia. You have to be perfect. Be perfect like me. I get up at 5 in the morning every day. I start my day the same way worried that I'll collapse as my bones start to decay from cleaning up your scraps. Why is your room such a mess? The clothes go in the hamper, Maia. Not displayed on your bed like your lack of morals. Not littered on the floor collecting more dust than my withered expectations. You disregard my rules with stubborn contempt in a substandard attempt at teenage rebellion. But you can't be a rebel, Maia. You're not interesting enough. You need to obey and say 'yes' and 'okay' You need to do it with a smile on your less than average face. You need to try harder, Maia. Make it wider, Maia. Why don't you know how to smile? You disappoint me, Maia. You never appreciate what I do for you. You never try to be a winner. And you never eat your dinner. You never eat the dinner I consistently provide for you as I constantly remind you of the life I set aside for you. That meal doesn't pay for itself. I don't care if it's ideal, stop telling me how you feel. You need to eat it. Eat it all. Eat it at a reasonable time with a glass of milk. You need milk, Maia. You need calcium like you need a catalyst for growth. You'll never grow to be tall. Be tall like me. I drink my milk, Maia. Drink your fucking milk. Be tall. Be perfect. Be perfect like me. You need to pay more attention, Maia. Stop daydreaming, Maia. Stop staring at the ceiling as if your one redeeming quality lies hidden in the plaster. You need to organize your life. Your life is a disaster Just like your room. Just like your teeth. Just like your future, Which will soon come to an end if you don't put down that pen. You need to stop writing, Maia. Your life is not a book. Don't give me that look, Maia. I'm just trying to help you. I'm just trying to love you. I'm just trying to love you. You have to let me love you so that you can be perfect. Be perfect like me.

[@sparrowwestlake7267]

Kat B Thanks! Have a good day.

[@alishakumar7517]

Really wanted to do this for a speech conference but like it had bad words and it’s not long enough so I any I’m sad

[@andikaputri2625]

thanks a lot

[@arlynsotelo4584]

thank you!!

[@sandravickypersonally7803]

You're a good person😀

[@rahmayazid6242]

when I was 19 I thoughtof this poem to be conversation between two people, now I'm 21 and coming across this poem again I'll say that they is no second person in this poem.... I talk to myself like this most days and don't even feel sorry that I'm killing myself slowly

[@achingaster1199]

When she said, “I am ABOVE sugar,” I started crying. My mother used to tell me I need to see a doctor because I’m overweight. Only last year, I learned that I have never been overweight by normal standards - just my parents’.

[@mab07052000]

She is a great performer

[@engerydrinkgirl]

mikenna she is

[@elizabethcleveland6157]

She spoke this poem amazingly! I want to hear more from her!

[@clark9152]

"666 time, Maia." I've listened to this so many times and I just realized that number. I love this

[@samantaalicja1709]

Hands down the best slam poem I’ve ever heard and seen presented. So much emotion. You can’t ever beat that.

[@avahaines2342]

2:35 "You disappoint me, Maya" wow 😥

[@HopeAtua]

Ava Haines as soon as she said that it wrecked me..

[@nellewelle]

That’s what cracked her and it would’ve broken me if I was saying it

[@123glamfairy]

I've watched her recite this many time and ever time it feels like the first. I love this poem and her :)❤!

[@buxilala]

Those parents you never gave a hug and ask for perfection. Narcisism, parents cant stand their own failures and if they see one it reminds them of their ones. Own rage

[@irespectfullydisagree1885]

Still coming back to listen to it 5 years later

[@sakinaa8014]

im crying. and the thing is, i usually dont cry when i see videos. but wow, i could relate to this in every level possible. thank you, maia.

[@cherishmiz1500]

oml I love this I would freaking love to perform this In my school or in front of my family

[@tristynjansen7727]

cherish misner same, I would do it with this one or "Paper Dolls"

[@parkangie23]

I'm getting the chance to perform this for a slam poetry class in my school tomorrow! I can't wait :D

[@parkangie23]

Follow up on the performance: I got first place and I'm representing my class in the whole school competition, eeek! So happy! This poem is so beautiful

[@zal5611]

CONGRATS LOVE

[@migs6768]

Cheers mate! Congrats. :)

[@nomejodan4232]

Damn... Beautifully written... One of the worst mistakes a parent can do is tell their child they're a disappointment.

[@katelynnsikes6229]

i cried...i really cried...ive never cried over a vid before i felt this :((((

[@misscocochloe1998]

Im speechless

[@avabaum2468]

I'm crying because this is so relatable. My mother is exactly like this but I'm trapped because I keep thinking that's love. I'm too young to help myself and she won't allow me to go to my dad's house. I just have to listen to her telling me to be perfect when she knows I can't change who I am as a person. This just gets me on every word.

[@tatet.9948]

The older I get the deeper Maia's poem gets Thank you

[@littlewolf3063]

“I don’t care if it’s ideal, stop telling me how you feel.” That’s what I hear every time my family says cry baby why do you cry so much? And every time my mom talks to me about reality and bills like I haven’t payed bills before. Like I live up in the clouds and I don’t ever plan on coming down.