Miles Hodges "Alcatraz Of Balloons"

Miles Hodges performing "Alcatraz Of Ballons" live at the "Anthology" show. Recorded live at Stage 48 on August 2, 2013.
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[@elijah4069]

~10 years later...still my favorite artist.

[@reembelal7286]

"She was a writer, and I fall in love damn easy. So I said your head was great baby, but your mind was the night before a revolution."

[@KrystalMidega]

your head was great baby. But your mind was the night before a revolution.

[@alfredsalazar5836]

Years later and I’m still listening to this poem at least once a month

[@danielmerriquedos]

31 now and still trying not to believe them...

[@deannator1822]

3 years later and I still get goosebumps

[@mindyabizness583]

I've literally listened to this poem more times than I can count the words are beautiful!

[@sweetness130394]

"I learned just how fucking real a night could get with some paper and some secrets"- Preach. What I love about Miles's work is that no matter how many times you watch it's always a new experience every time. It impacts you differently, this I love about the Strivers Row as a whole.

[@Dre1896]

I'm happy I caught this live. I'm unsure if many really understood what the title meant so here I'll explain. Alcatraz is short for Alcatraz Island - an infamous military prison in San Francisco Bay. Balloons are perhaps the most iconic form of freedom; when you release a balloon it rises to meet no end. Alcatraz of Balloons is imagery, imagine balloons floating from a jail cell. This is Miles's liberation from his prison.

[@Shambayamiti]

"this is my war, this is my peace, this is where my stories become your currency" Miles...wow!

[@danielmerriquedos]

33 now and still trying not to believe ‘em. I thought I had so many things figured out about myself and love. So much to unpack on this healing journey. I pray that we get the courage to take our masks off and keep them off before it’s too late. 🙏🏾

[@betselotzelalem9548]

Still listening to this in 2018🙃

[@danielmerriquedos]

I just keep coming back to watch this to keep me sane... Not everyone knows what it feels like when the stage calls you; how much life it gives you... I'm 27 now and still trying not to believe 'em... 27 now.

[@danielmerriquedos]

And... again, I'm back.

[@tinalinsin972]

A student came to me and said,"Mrs.L, you've GOT to see this."I asked her to write down his name and the name of the poem,and then I put it on during planning-earphones in,another class in my room busily doing the things they do with the other teacher looking on.By minute three,the tears were cresting.By minute four, it was all I could do to make no sound as this brave young man took his soul out of his body and pinned it up there for all of us to see.By the end, I was a mess.Thank you,Miles.

[@taeso4027]

He tellin the truth you be in another world when you write and got stuff hidden and you cant vent to no one

[@SmilesMalone]

Miles needs to get a book of poems out. I know he's probably got thousands in those journals he's always talking about. Would love to add him to my shelf of Whitman, Blake, and Poe.

[@dancepassion4life]

When I was younger I used to listen to miles and a few others over and over but always skipped over this poem because I couldn’t relate/understand but now I do and this poem gives me shivers and butterflies in my stomach and I’m like how could I have missed what was right in front of me this whole time. I totally understand it now soooo many years later

[@danielmerriquedos]

You cannot begin to understand how much I see myself in this piece... wow...

[@niyahstewart1083]

Its 2016 and this still gives me chills.

[@netoispears1715]

2020 and I’m back again for the 30th time

[@MsMinicooper85]

this piece has me thinking.."WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?" I'm in love with his mind!!

[@mis7289]

We need more of Miles hodges

[@LeahTriniteeMJLuv3]

I got to meet and talk with this beautiful man. He kissed me in my cheek, so y'all know that that made my night. Amazing work from an amazing poem. Keep striving Miles. I love you.

[@apple01323]

I watch this too many times a week, unbelievable. Beautiful

[@jasminnicole5293]

Same

[@herschelledonald3845]

The way you express your reality is simply amazing. I live for real experiences. I can feel every word. Beautiful is usually a feminine word, but I don't know what other word to use to describe the way this sounds to me...

[@lisalorenzo7451]

Ive been listening to poetry all day. I have to say this young man's words are deep. Nicely done young man. I usually don't post anything but his words a worth the exception.

[@ketlyne08able]

Oh my gosh this is one of his rawest poem ever!!! I am speechless. He left it all on the stage. I am in awe

[@tatesmitty2192]

I was at this performance in NYC and I found myself completely in awe and speechless. Miles definitely opened up and left his heart right on that stage.

[@MarioEvon]

I think this is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. I saw it live, and it had the same effect watching it here on KZbin. You and your crew are doing something amazing, and I was overwhelmed as a performer when I watched this. It connected to me in a way that made me know a real performer wrote it from their heart. "This stage is my teeth" is where I couldn't contain myself anymore. Really just intense and honest. Thanks for sharing this raw emotion. Thank you again and again.

[@danielmerriquedos]

And I'm back again...

[@goshenqueen]

Miles, My gateway drug to The Strivers Row was Joshua Bennett, who led me almost immediately to Alysia Harris (both of whom I listen to on repeat). I tried listening to some of your poems, but it never quite clicked with where my head was at or what I was going through. But tonight, for whatever reason, I decided to try again. And I am SO glad I did. It's hard to explain in words when I am emotionally affected so I'll just say thank you. Thank you for writing. Thank you for getting up there and spilling your guts and letting us in. Thank you for not being afraid. Hopefully one day I'll get to see you all in person, but until then, I'll just keep stalking your poems on KZbin. =) Mercy

[@ashiapo]

He is so talented!

[@Nazrene05]

1. MY husband. 2. The fact I thought I understood him as a poet, he goes and make me think again. The pure honesty that he spits is so beautiful. Makes me want to start writing again.

[@terrieknutson107]

My words are your currency... Like a spoon full of truth. Beautifully spoken again and again

[@jackiehillperrychannel]

His timing is awesome in this performance.

[@danielmerriquedos]

And here I am again... Screaming these words in my head. No-one gets my true feelings except for you. It's as if you're my voice and I don't share this video with anyone because it's so sacred to me. I don't share it because no-one would value it as much as I do and it feels like it would be such a disservice to this beautiful piece. I'll ALWAYS keep coming back here...

[@254jchch]

I ... I think I just fell inlove.. what just happened?

[@StyledByAsh]

FUCK YEAH MILES

[@JasNic92]

It should be illegal for anybody, to be that beautiful, that deep, and that much man all at the same time!

[@sheenacrazyg]

I can listen to this all day and not get tired of listening to this. God bless him.

[@kristenjohnson5703]

The poem isn't even over and I have already fallen in love with this!

[@zapzip9633]

This is my word if anybody dare lay a harmful hand on anyone in the Strivers Row. . . . .it will go down !!

[@lenaBesos]

oh miles

[@MomoThePoet]

And if I thought I loved him before, he just solidified everything I felt for him. His poetry seriously keeps me writing

[@UC1nkF3AFvcHf5Hwp851]

I keep hitting the replay bottom. This my fav. He was so real about it.

[@pinknthecity2514]

Still here.

[@devinedorianwhite]

i think i fall in love with Miles every time i hear his stuff

[@jennessabm]

man I love all of his work.❤

[@KarhemaDeborha]

I watch this video once a week, it's absolutely wonderful. I love the strivers row

[@SuhhSweet]

as a writer; as an artist.. the true talent is never letting people really know all 4 corners about your life. how can you call something a façade.. you don't even know him, all you know is his craft. Two completely different things.

[@danielmerriquedos]

I'm 28 now and still not trying to believe 'em...

[@LovesBrooklyn2]

Watched this one over and over again on the livestream! After following Miles for so many years, it's incredible to hear him writing of BMV and college. A big thank you for posting this one!

[@Hersheybubbles1]

love it, miles is 1 of my absolute favourite spoken word poets. he's awesome.

[@francisnunez847]

i was in the audience for this…. and it changed my life.

[@zapzip9633]

Mr. Miles you've done it again!! It truly is a gift that you've been blessed with

[@kandicejohnson9340]

: I love listening to him! As an artist I know that it takes a lot to pour your heart out like this! Also I can tell when it genuine. The fact that he tied his past work and showing how it’s still relevant to his work now….. I beyond amazing! It’s truly a screenshot of his soul! Thank you for telling us the other side of you!

[@marcusgoudeau2848]

A side of miles I've never seen this just made my favorites . Beautiful piece brother beautiful !!!

[@commentor504]

Man I STILL got chills gorgeous and talented gotta love miles!!

[@victoriamiller903]

Just got to relive the moment. Ahmazing to say the least. Heaven sent to say the most.

[@MiyaRaeDoll]

I love this! Miles you are amazing...your words are amazing!

[@Tahmia100]

I never wanted this poem to end! But this was amazing and once again he has satisfied me.

[@ASKpoeta]

sooo much emotion i really respect and love this guy!

[@teebraswell6801]

Yes, raw and uncut miles hodges! This is what I wanted to see from you.

[@safire718]

I felt the same way when I saw him at the show....Flawless!!!

[@krystaprice80]

OH-MY-GOD!!! I applaud your courage and transparency

[@LAtttiful]

One of his best works. Simply raw.

[@CayRoseMonster]

Speechless

[@poeticmindz]

Honest and deliberate,,,I can appreciate both

[@alfredsalazar5836]

I’ve heard this poem at least 20 times a year since 2013

[@MsTripplea3]

my favorite poem from him thus far...

[@tyquinciajames9802]

No words!! Simply amazing

[@tiffanyvales7944]

I cried watching this. best night of my life

[@pinknthecity2514]

I could live here.

[@luphelele]

so sincere...so beautiful... i love it.

[@PassionCarlnese]

tears & chills.

[@Deenique16]

LOVE.

[@francesdaniels5725]

Who could dislike this?

[@DidiShaker]

speechless... this was so amazing!

[@TeamT1232]

So upset I missed my train I knew this show was going to be even greater than the last one I saw.....nothing like seeing the row in person!

[@BrinaC17]

OMG LOVED THIS

[@CeeCeeOnIt87]

My God...I love his art. So real it's almost painful. Just...wow

[@jade161616]

Beautiful!!

[@ketlyne08able]

O get goosebumps every time I watch this

[@nicolebrit33]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@karabomatsomane861]

How has this video not hit 1 billion views?

[@bskt7]

Best poem of his yet :) The "woo"-ing of the crowd was a little annoying though. It was more emotional than anything, and people were just yelling at every high note in the performance.

[@LoveOnTop1000]

This is amazing!

[@katrinalee009]

This is what ive been waiting on

[@mrowell1435]

Everyone says that Joshua Bennett And Alysia Brought Them To Miles..... No For Me Miles Brought Them To Me

[@mrowell1435]

3 Years later here I am again

[@danielmerriquedos]

I'm back again...

[@vanillahighway]

i think i just might watch this everyday for the rest of my life

[@hailthehops4384]

Continues to Inspire

[@mizpink309]

Miles has left me speechless again..

[@danielmerriquedos]

And... I'm back again. I wonder if my mask has to be kept on forever? How does loving the way I love always end up being too much?

[@NYchick23]

YES! i was there and it was amazing.

[@girl34781]

My god I love this guy

[@sincerelydaja]

Magical, as usual .

[@alwaysk4354]

no words. no words. I am slayed in the damn spirit!

[@tell1586]

Love love

[@KhadijahInspires]

soo raw!