National Poetry Slam 2014 - Finals - "Elementary" G. Yamazawa

[@nesmahamoda]

"I became a bully because we all want to feel like America sometimes" a powerful political statement but the humanitarian message beyond it is even more powerful. I too do "hope our tongues is the only way we have left to conquer"

[@jasontheworldisyours]

"We all crack under peer pressure But once you see that there are earthquakes coming from your faults you realize how deep trembles are felt" @ColoredSpaces

[@conradlippert8475]

Not what the world needs to hear, but what we need to listen to. Preach.

[@1986rcg]

This was absolutely amazing and gave me chills!

[@kaseywright8881]

His hair line is sharper than the pieces of my heart that broke while listening to this...

[@nobiggie68]

Once you start focusing on his breath between each line you cant stop

[@mythmisticsofficial5878]

Thanks a lot

[@luaponte7033]

nobiggie68 well, guess I'm never watching this again

[@friedlandresearch5511]

lmao exactly.

[@teiermyler4926]

Dang now I can't watch it again

[@kellyczarnecki-rivera313]

I can't tell you how many times I've watched this. This poem is one of the best I've listened to! Very powerful!

[@Mare0125]

I'm in tears. Like this was just amazing and inspiring on so many levels

[@Tomahawk16Romeo]

I felt like I just lost a battle that I didn’t even know I was in.

[@alanbourne6182]

Powerful stuff. Thank you.

[@sarahsohlberg732]

aaaamaazing!!

[@missmex7876]

What just happened??!! greatness.

[@mzinimitable1]

No words just: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[@minimoni247]

this brought tears to my eyes

[@lalag8747]

Goosebumps 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@kyawthu9283]

I love this

[@clarityhenderson]

Wow, beautifully spoken. Thank you for the reminder.

[@Averageguy5]

One word - POWERFUL

[@loxdixon]

It's about what you have to say when your poem's done

[@ziad491]

This poem is just strength

[@nabilahaidarable]

oh mama that was good!!!

[@stephaniemaris4878]

Well, the Buddha/Buddhist references were a bit foreign to me, being a Christian, myself, but it was a very powerful and inspiring piece. Absolutely beautiful. :)

[@mariocastro1540]

The beautiful thing is that Buddhism isn't a religion, more so than a philosophy. You can be both a Christian and a Buddhist. I highly recommend you look into it more because if you like the message he sends with this piece, then Buddhism will speak to you.

[@Econnocon]

@eyesofheaven its true in buddhism we don't whorship a god so you can follow te teachings of buddha and still be a christain.

[@CaptainMathers]

that was some good shit my man

[@Flamingoz111]

can somebody please tell me this guy's name

[@lulaemuellerhernandez4828]

Ik it's been 7 years and you probably found out by now but George (G) Yamazawa

[@-soul-2514]

i can realy relate to this and thx you have made my day better keep doing what you do

[@saintpaxman4403]

Great poetic devices and delivery!

[@graynegrundel927]

So, I'm doing a poetry slam pretty soon and I didn't realize we were supposed to tell stories! To think I was going to read some poetry.

[@erinjiang2100]

my english teacher showed me this

[@mysteryswordstudios]

I'm kind of confused as to why calling her gay was...offensive to his dad I guess? Was it cause she was actually gay and he was being homophobic? Or was he calling her a jerk? Kind of undermines the rest of his poem.

[@lotismade]

+Mystery Sword Studios It's all in there. He says everyone picked on said girl and later also that he became a bully. He talks about peer pressure, personal faults. It can't be anything but simply picking on her.

[@mysteryswordstudios]

I think his metaphor confused me with the picking of an orchard also meaning picking on someone while also complimenting her. It came across to me she was liked by everyone for some reason.

[@emilyfontinha9180]

This is absolutely amazing. His metaphors and analogies are so deep and complex. I just really couldnt get past his constant bashing of America, very rude for him to disrespect the nation that gives him the freedom to say what he wants without consequence. He's still amazing though!

[@OleTimHerr]

maybe hes just making a comparison of america to a bully. one who bullies other countries that are inferior to it.

[@bouyaharumichi6016]

And that's the reason he said what he said.

[@AnneonaMouse]

I wonder. If G.Yamazawa were offered the opportunity to move ANYWHERE else in the world on the condition he could never return to America . . . would he take it? Where would he go, I wonder? Why did all those people cheer every. time. he bashed America?

[@stalcat7546]

That haircut though. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@Austin6403]

"pledge of allegiance molested the lips" oh cmon that ruined the whole thing.

[@chriscons5344]

Ehhhh, I thought it was a nice touch.