Michael Lee // Pass On

[@Feejakka]

"Death comes because the brilliance inside of us can only be contained for so long." Wow. Just wow.

[@DamnItDylan]

I lost my friend Steven to suicide in July of 2014. I had known him for nearly 20 years. He was the first close friend of mine I ever lost. I wanted to write a poem to his memory, but all I could do was come back to this poem. I shared this with Steven's family and they thanked me for it. It was the best gift I could give them. Thank you, Michael. Thank you.

[@laurenmaciel2793]

I am sorry for your lost 💔🙏😢

[@destineydowner8748]

'When you leave me, I will not cry for you, I will run in the strongest wind and welcome you home'

[@cyclezealot1]

+Destiney Downer Not so easily accomplished. Perhaps, less than 9 years.? For some at least. Beautiful. ts

[@shadowcynder4eva]

1. That was beautiful. 2. This man is attractive.

[@azizanal]

Hehe. He's a beauty :)

[@suaveclt]

Checkout "We're Golden"

[@egwuted2398]

Years later and I keep coming back… this is amazing and it’s a loving body of work

[@sloanepoblete4215]

I stumbled upon this video days before my dad passed. It somehow prepared me for the inevitable. Today is the 2nd day of the wake, and I am watching this video again. Gaining strength and understanding.

[@kotafoster1375]

I found this spoken word about 8 years ago when my grandmother passed on... And my parent lost her grandmother this morning, i came back to listen to this one again and share if with her, i know this is the most perfect way of lifting the loved ones we still have and making it slightly easier on us and them in the dark times of someone we love moving on. Thank you Micheal Lee. Truly from the bottom of my heart. I know its cocky, or egotistical to hope i may meet you one day, but if it ever comes i will ask you for a hug, and thank you in person. Your words touch me, and my loved ones. Truly thank you.

[@irenejardiniano4716]

THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL "we are not created or destroyed, we are constantly transferred, shifted, and renewed. Everything we are is given to us. Death does not come when the body is too exhausted to live, death comes because the brilliance inside of us can only be contained for so long. We do not die, we pass on."

[@jamesheath2394]

I've spent 10 minutes trying to express why this poem matters to me but my words tend to fail me, so I'm just going to say thank you.

[@JosephEllisonBrockway]

WOW! "If you listen to the wind and you don't hear at least a thousand years of music then you aren't listening hard enough. . . . every ounce of him has been wrapping itself around this world in a windstorm."

[@jessicajnsm]

I haven't cried from a poem in a long time but this did the trick. I got chills when the boy said 9 years.

[@goldenarias]

Seven years this September, my brother left this world in a Pontiac Sunbird. This...made me cry harder than words can express, resonates more deeply in my soul than any song I think I've ever heard. I see my brother everywhere-- a young man who sat next to me in my college Algebra class had his smile, a girl named Kat shared his love for C.S. Lewis. He speaks to me through the radio every time they play Rage Against the Machine...I hope he lives on forever. This poem is what I've been needing to hear for seven years. Thank you.

[@frostzenaquazen2535]

wow thts really touching, we all have have but one life, not just about oneself bt all others tht help make u who you are :)

[@diariesofapossessedboy6257]

"I asked him how long he was playing, he said nine years" I broke just then and there, this is beautiful and so is he, wow.

[@dynamics]

Sumaya Elmasri Was fighting back tears but that part got me breaking down... :(

[@WalkingDeadize]

Hey a tøp fan! |-/

[@diariesofapossessedboy6257]

ImmaBrick hey! stay alive friend |-/

[@yaauntieloveme]

--BŁÚRRŸFÃÇÊ-- stay alive |-/

[@diariesofapossessedboy6257]

Janessa Moss YES |-/ stay alive, friend :)

[@briannalynn9001]

This man has a beautiful soul. His words left me speechless.

[@sdc3528]

a close friend of mine passed away almost three years ago now, when she was in eighth grade. i remember listening to this poem for the first time a couple months after she died. there are so many lines that have always struck deep about the wind and energy and especially about songs echoing in the halls of my old middle school. i always come back to this poem when i need to remember those feelings. thank you.

[@callmeso3714]

This made me cry!! Thank u for your beautiful words!! Beautiful ❣️❣️

[@penversity]

"We are not created or destroyed. We are constantly transferred, shifted, and renewed." Such a brilliant piece, both in writing and performance. You can tell this poem takes a toll on him and leaves him spiritually exhausted, but that same amount of energy is transferred to us, and it hits us like gravity. Wonderfully apt.

[@CaitFuller]

I lost my dad to suicide this past September, and this is the most accurate, relatable thing I have ever heard. This has definitely brought me a bit of peace knowing that someday I may feel secure with the loss of someone so close. I have never struggled with the loss of a loved one like I have my dad. I lost him the week before the start of my final year of high school, and have been pushing myself so hard to make it through one more school year.Writing has definitely been what has kept me going these past couple of months, especially trying to get out and perform my own spoken word, and its writing like this that really moves me! Beautiful writing and breathtaking emotion in this piece

[@meganl1323]

+Caitlin Fuller Never stop writing. It is definitely the best therapy when you lose a parent. I lost my mom when I was 15. I am 23 now. The first few years are the worst, just take it a day at a time. This poem is so relatable. I come back and listen to it at least once a month!

[@abymokua]

'if you listen to the wind and don't hear atleast a thousand years of music then you are not listening hard enough' this is definitely my favorite one.

[@CBEEBLE]

I love how you can soar on another's words and emotion. An incredibly moving experience. We do indeed, "Pass on".

[@EphPhaThaINC]

Oh my Lord! I absolutely love this. I love his delivery and how he manages to show emotion and yet make himself so controlled so that he doesn't come off like he is shouting and distorting the message. I would love to study more on this and allow him to inspire and cultivate me to where I can emulate this type of delivery in my own SLAM poetry performances.

[@ZubairAli-xn8ge]

I just lost my grandmother today. This was amazing. So brilliant. I’m glad her brilliance took her on the end.

[@yesterdaze2375]

I learned this poem over 6 years ago, from a friend who performed it for a competition. Everyone in my grade performed, but this one stood out. 6 years later I lost my grandmother. 3 months later, today, we performed her funeral service. Still, this poem comes to mind. I will miss her brilliance- her smile, her selflessness, her effortless way of loving my brother, sister and I. But I know she is not gone- she has passed on, and everything that was her has been scattered, darting across the world on the fiercest of winds to find those who need be emboldened by all that made her strong. I will look for her, her smile, her care, and in the wind I will feel the fierceness of her love. Thank you Michael. Thank you for showing me how to find her.

[@musicandlove2512]

This would forever be my favourite poetry piece.

[@cassandrarose7285]

I’ve known this poem almost a decade and it is helping more today than ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏

[@benlangley4346]

Another long night listening to this perfection

[@KidMonkii]

"Death does not come when a body is too exhausted to live. Death comes because the brilliance inside of us can only be contained for so long. We do not die. We pass on." ...Welp I know what my first tattoo is going to be.

[@GenesisSalazarVEVO]

.

[@henryy9227]

mine will say "you got games on your phone?"

[@forkistasales]

I cannot get enough of your words. Thank you for sharing your gift. (ps if you love this, play 'we're golden' - my heart breaks into a thousand pieces). The moment you said 9 years it hit me. My dad passed away 10 years this year...I found him 2 weeks ago as I went through a local museum...before my eyes in the middle of a wall was 'I forgive you for moving'. 9years, 7mths, 3days since he died I found him. In the middle of an art installation. He gave me the message I needed to see at that moment. We always find our loved ones again.

[@sunlightheaded]

My dear friend just passed away suddenly - this is helping. Thank you Michael

[@BrokeredHeart]

Brilliant. #1 through #3 I was inspired by his words. A unique way of regarding life. #4 and #5, the hairs of my arms raise and I feel my spine tingle. #6 I caught my breath. #7 I'm denying that my eyes are welling up, and by #8, I'm gasping and sobbing. It's been 15 years since my brother passed on. We lost him too soon and too suddenly. Some days are easier than others, and some times they are agony. There are things that remind you of them, little things, things that maybe held little significance to them, but which spoke volumes to you. When you see those things again, sometimes it catches you. Sometimes it feels like more than just coincidence. And for some reason, that holds comfort, because it feels familiar. Like they were just there. So here I am today, still chasing the wind. "I will run through the strongest wind I can find, and welcome you home."

[@aquariussystem2392]

I do not cry easily. So, I played this video and I was immediately questioned why I was bawling my eyes out. Then, you know this is a good poem.

[@BroadwayStar2020]

Words cannot describe how beautiful this is. He is completely bearing his soul tot he world and that is something I, as an artist in many ways, appreciate, admire, and adore. I love this. Best spoken word I've heard ever. and fantastic delivery.

[@OurPoisonRemedy]

5 days ago I lost my best friend. It was too soon to come back to this poem, but…today there is the strongest wind. I want to run into it.

[@stephanieruth6184]

This is absolutely beautiful.. ❤ it has brought me comfort in the passing of my grandfather. He was such an incredible man, and I miss him every single day. I’m so glad I found this poem..thank you for these words ❤️

[@meganl1323]

It isn't just the words that make this poem great, it is the delivery! It is so relatable. It puts all of my thoughts into a beautifully worded piece of art.

[@victoriajackson665]

My father passed away 1 month and 2 weeks ago exactly. My friend sent me a link to this video. The thing I miss the most about him was his laugh, I thank you for this video. I am no longer weeping, but searching for the sound of his laugh. Thank you so much Michael Lee.

[@starbucksmocha88]

Wow. This gave me goosebumps. So powerful. Something to believe in that is comforting. The wind will remind me of this now!

[@Jen41997]

I cannot express how much I love this poem. I came across it almost a year ago and I every few days or weeks I always just come back to listen to it. It's just so beautiful.

[@bizarrdager]

I always get chills listening to this

[@jessiivie8407]

i remember sharing this with my high school class 3 years ago when this came out. my teacher loved it so much he showed this to all the other classes he taught that day. i was reminiscing and decided to come back and watch this. i realized that a year after i shared this poem, my best friend died. who knew that i was sharing what i would soon empathize with more than i could understand. i think i came back to this right when i needed to.

[@aishatokwe9617]

♥️ I listen to this every time I miss my late cousin and grandma ♥️

[@Kieran917]

I lost my brother nearly a year ago. This gave me so much peace it's unreal. Thank you for your words. You have given me something I did not think would come again.

[@hydroglyph]

I can't stop watching this. I've walked through an incredible season of grief in the last year, losing a considerable amount of people I held dear, including losing my best friend last week, and I continue to find traces of them in my journey through everyday life. While painful, it is a reminder that we are so much more than just our time spent here.

[@puneetsandhu9999]

"his chest was an auditorium"... Michael you are a stunning poet and your creativity and the way you link thoughts is simply beautiful

[@dynamics]

Michael Lee. Thank you.... for sharing your words, and offering peace of mind. No words can express how sorry I am and I thank you forever for touching others who are struggling as well. You are infinite!

[@michael_harren]

Spectacularly moving. Thank you.

[@Yacqui13]

Chills from start to finish, every time. This poem reminds me of a woman I knew, Cora. Her laugh sounded like a goose, and now that she's passed away, I hear her in every flock of geese that flies overhead, and it always makes me smile.

[@JTurner008]

I caught myself mouth wide open in amazement at the end of this video. This is the most powerful spoken word Button Poetry has produced yet. I can feel this so deep in my soul. What an awakening.

[@seompiternal]

I first watched it when I was 14 and I never understood this very much. Now that I'm turning 20, I somehow realised how impactful this is.

[@falakiqbal6794]

This sent chills through my body. The delivery was absolutely beautiful

[@levilynn3601]

My dad passed on 3 years ago from cancer. This video alone has saved me from so many bad days. The energy that left on March 4th 2012, that is the music I listen for now. Thank you for this poem and beautiful video.

[@kulnzu]

Wow... You blew my wind, with a brilliant wind. Your message flows through my body, through my brain, through my mouth, through my mouth to pass your message on, for your brilliance cannot solely be contained in me, the world needs to see. You.

[@phillipl638]

This is such a powerful poem.. So much depth and emotion in every line. This dude oozes talent.

[@Keeper92885]

You said everything so beautifully about how I feel about my fathers passing. Yes its the natural course in life for children to lose their parents but at 19 I was too young to lose my 39 year old father. But, here I am almost 3 years later and in some ways I'm still a weak little girl who wants her daddy but in most other ways I am the strong young woman who carries my father with me. Literally tattooed on my skin for him are the words "Always remembered, never forgotten". My promise to him. This poem was just one more way to emphasize that promise to him and for that I'm grateful.

[@okeydokey1591]

honestly though how can you dislike a poem so beautiful?

[@blackcherryart]

I have watched this more times than anyone should need to, but it continues to soothe me when I find myself missing all of the people I’ve lost.

[@ButtonPoetry]

❤️

[@VBlogger33]

a year later.... my grandfathers birthday.... it always brings back... not intentional... I'm just here watching this and remember its his birthday.... thank you Michael.... Love you Grandpa.

[@Josh-hh2cu]

It’s been nine years now since this was first shown to me and I still find myself coming back to this several times each year to hear and feel it. Ive loved and lost, and lost more but Im still finding the pieces I love in the new and strange. Thank you to that Freshman English class in High School for showing this to me, so thank you ms(/mrs?) cavotta

[@tvalvi99]

Stop and listen to this lovely moment. Beautiful words from a beautiful soul.

[@reporterpeytonlewis1256]

I can never watch this without crying. 3 years ago, one of my close friends from school passed away. I never got to say good-bye to him. I miss him every day, but I can feel him in little ways. We used to each lunch together everyday, and everyday I wish I was eating lunch with him again. He used to pick me up and carry me around and tease me about being short. I have flashbacks of him all the time, and I still do a double-take when I see guys who look like him. This poem makes me think of him every time. Thank you so much Mr. Lee for writing this, and giving those who have lost loved ones a greater voice.

[@EffinCrystal]

"Powerful" doesn't even touch describing this. Thank you for such love and passion twisted into one short poem.

[@GenesisSalazarVEVO]

.

[@TheBuch4]

I have lost many loved ones over the years and, while all loss is sad, the most difficult losses are those who pass on too soon due to tragic and/ or unexpected circumstances. Through all of these losses, my belief in something greater than ourselves has only gotten stronger... The signs are everywhere! This poem speaks to me like no other. "We do not die...we pass on. When you leave, I will not cry for you... I will run into the strongest wind I can find, and welcome you home."

[@ashleygl28]

This gave me chills. It was absolutely beautiful.

[@annasint5997]

I have chills all the way up my body. Brilliant work.

[@Solidafaction]

I can't stop crying when i listen to this, Its so amazing and so beautiful and its just ugh

[@thatsweetbambi]

Death does not come when a body is too exhausted to live. Death comes because the brilliance inside of us can only be contained for so long. We do not die. We pass on. love this so much!!

[@maxsousa125]

I listen to this poem every year on Grandma Day. I miss her. 8 years today, the pain is still fresh. When I feel the wind against my cheeks, I know she's with me.

[@ButtonPoetry]

❤️

[@mccawmf7470]

To keep it short and simple, my friend just passed away and I can't thank you enough. This poem has done so much for me.

[@ihebfehri7745]

Gave me the chills. And that doesnt happen much. Brilliant, Michael.

[@chayilmcmullan6361]

My dad died January/18/15 . Two days ago. I cried.and cried. Then cried some more. Tears sometimes fall out without being provoked, like a leaky faucet. Just dripping then I heard this poem. And it changed my sentence for my dad died. To my dad passed.on. he's everywhere. He hasn't left. His body was just what it was ... a body....his soul hasn't died. It never could. He's not gone forever. He's just moved on to the next level.

[@YourBuddyDidi]

Wow. Just wow.. 👏

[@SodiumNitrogen]

To me the way a poem is delivered is more important than the lyrics themselves. I absolutely love to hear and feel the emotions of the speaker. ^_^

[@harleerozeboom5327]

I lost a boy I loved a couple months ago. his birthday was this week. I needed this. this poem put me were I needed to be. he isn't lying when he saying he feels them within the wind. I feel the storm too.

[@WoahYouExist]

This is one of my favourite poems and it makes me tear up every single time I hear it.

[@markjayaquillo4093]

I finished reading the poem while hearing Michael Lee recite it with my face wet with tears.

[@ellenewing8829]

I've seen this several time on Free Speech TV and find something more to love about it each time I see it.

[@georginangozi2432]

Extraordinary! How deep your understanding, how powerful your words. Continue to be led by the spirit. He is blessing you.

[@KenyaKonciouSLeaSmith]

I really love this poem. I got chills and want to give people the same from my own work. . .thought provoking chills.

[@FrankRamontransforming]

OMG do not miss out on this too brief masterpiece!!!!!!!!!

[@brendon4938]

Fantastic spoken word,yes it gave me chills too! ;-)

[@debbiegreenrazey6493]

Brilliant! Xx

[@TechDecTalkTime]

Nice slam poem! Question: why is the tip of his tie cut off? My English teacher does this too and I've always wondered why some people do it.

[@MegaMalban]

***** it's just a style of tie, it's not cut.

[@henrietta8874]

This is the first thing I have ever encountered that meets the feeling of mortality with comfort. Thank you Michael Lee

[@soph_2708]

What a powerful voice and such powerful words.

[@dianareynolds9159]

This young man truly understands life. Amazing portrait of what I've always known.

[@poolsharkomania]

This guy has an amazingly calming voice

[@brie4308]

I could feel every emotion you let out through this.... thank you. This, this is special.

[@ruandejager5398]

I still listen to this so often

[@VBlogger33]

Ruan De Jager I come back this weekly and it always gives me a feeling of hope and peace.

[@raejimenez]

"The day my grandfather passed away there was a strong gust of wind." - exactly what happened to me.

[@AlexDumBanane]

I honestly cry every time I hear this. It just hit me in a way I can't explain.

[@emilymanasc9667]

"when we die. we go everywhere." oh how I cried. Thank you for these tears.

[@Emobeefy]

When I first came across this poem; death made a bit more sense to me. It was one of the first comforting things after my aunt died of cancer. She was such a beautiful person. Admittedly she over corrected. But she just wanted to be positive. I was always so awkward around older family members when I was younger. Never really got to know some of them. I’m lucky to have the moments I had with her. I keep those with me every day. Her energy is out there if you open your eyes to it. I remember her last week most if not all close family was by her bedside. At this point the cancer was starting to fully shut down her brain. I can’t imagine wanting to talk like how you’re used to and can only groan instead. Just no ability to talk. I can’t ever erase that memory. I’ve tried. It’s hard to forget the dark parts. But overall, I am blessed and lucky to have her in my life. She just understood. Whatever it was on whatever topic. Sometimes I think that she just had too much positive energy for this world to seclude to a human body. And considering the past 5 years, I’m happy she didn’t have to see the extent of all this mess. Tldr; energy does exist. Cancer sucks. Losing people sucks. Most things can suck. But the most we can do is make the best of it. “We can’t choose where we come from but we can choose where we go from there.”

[@Kingpittbul]

This is one of the best spoken words I heard in my life , brought tears to my eyes.

[@gloria-zw7dr]

I am in tears. That was wonderful.

[@nicholashall797]

I was just sitting watching this with waves passing through my ribcage. This was mind blowing.

[@xoxmeghanoxo]

This is absolutely beautiful. Love the 7 degrees of separation.

[@IAliceloveWonderland]

I watched his poem 'We're Golden' about a year ago and that is what got me into spoken word poetry, after seeing this one i realized that it had the same effect on me that the other did. The tears still streamed down my face as i watched, my attention turned fully to the poet and off my phone. At first it was strange because i recognized the name and voice but not the hair but he's grown and my love for spoken poetry has also.

[@carolyn6689]

Wow!! Awesome poem,so much emotion. This is good,and a great reminder that when someone we love passes on..there is always a piece of them everywhere we go that will remind us of them. They are not forgotten.

[@cassidyziegler3469]

Not only this words but his voice 😍

[@JBDuncan]

Is it just me or did it suddenly get so chilly my hairs are stood up, my Goosebumps are going crazy and I can barely talk? I think you just passed on winter and it shocked my body. Thank you

[@dylanmcdougall8301]

This is by far the most beautiful poem ever created. The Nine years bit makes me tear up every single time.

[@naturallysimi]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SO POWERFUL. WOW. I feel inspired.

[@TimeLadyClaire]

A gust of wind came through my window as I listened to this. This poem made me feel so endless.

[@tommybennett3110]

He is incredible! I was so enthralled in his poem! I was crying like a baby by the end!