Sarah Kay performs "Table Games"

[@crizzagarcia]

Instead, I said "it's okay." Which was the opposite of what I meant. I meant, "it's not okay." I meant, "why?" I meant, "please don't leave me." I meant, "I have loved you for five years." I meant, "who will I play with when the waiters aren't looking?" "who will I race to impress with my banter?" "who will smile at me when he reaches the punchline first, delighted that he has won?" Sarah Kay will always... ALWAYS tug my heartstrings.

[@s9738919e]

She just gets better and better

[@haley002]

I honestly don't know how she does it. she was great 6 years ago when I was introduced to her and shes still great

[@macealred4135]

or should you say... butter and butter ;)

[@shantcheetah]

Haha yes indeed she does! Super talented

[@mariemcmullan121]

I laughed and kept laughing and then I cried and kept crying

[@angienguyen7803]

marie mac relevant right now

[@emanuelal6323]

marie mac I was laughing and crying at the same time Beautiful poem

[@mia-jv2hu]

I was :(: throughout the whole poem

[@cheyisweird1103]

same

[@m.rmastermind1883]

Tabl100 Google hundred

[@user-og6nn4rj2r]

Every poem Sarah Kay delivers, I fall a little bit more in love with her and her writing. This one had me struggling between laughing and despairing. "Please don't leave me." Ugh. What a beautiful woman. What a beautiful piece.

[@saraheaslip71]

At restaurants, our favorite game was to touch an object on the table, and casually offer a pun into the existing conversation. Touching the pepper grinder I might say, “You crack me up.” Then you would graze your knife and declare, “That's a sharp observation.” I would hold my water glass and caution, “Don't get too full of yourself.” And you would nod seriously and apologies, “You're right, i'm sorry.” as you took the pen to sign the check. Back and forth we went. Eyes shifting from napkin to soup spoon. Considering the table top like a chess board. Giggling about our secrets from the waiters. The best,of course,was when a new object was introduced to the table. Something surprising, or difficult to maneuver into wordplay. Something that left both of us staring hard and silent, racing each others brains to the cleverest quip. You were always faster than I. I could not keep up with your lightning mind, and rejoiced instead in the satisfaction it gave you to beat me to the punch line. To see you beam at your own wit, and then at me, your favorite audience. Food always tastes more delicious when you feel victorious. Maybe this is why people like to hunt. The day you broke up with me, you brought me to Whole Foods for lunch. This is a pain because there are so many of them in New York City and they each look the same, and so now each one looks like the scene of the crime. After you told me you'd forgotten my name, so many other mouths. I said “It's okay.” I held your hand while you cried. If I had been just a little bit faster, I would have reached for the paper napkin holder and said “Thank you, for dispensing this knowledge to me.” It would have not been one of my stronger puns, but it might have made you laugh; which is still what I wanted most of all in that moment. I could of said “Let's table this for later.” and knocked on the counter between us, or I guess I was more disposable than I thought as I reached for a plastic spoon. Maybe wow, you sure kept this information contained with a nob to the takeout box. I can't believe you kept a lid on this for so long as I take a swig of water. I bet it was really hard to keep bottled up! Maybe I could have shouted a line about every single product on the shelves as a threw them to the ground. Winding backwards through each aisle to the exit. Could you imagine the response I would have gotten. Employees wiping their hands on their green aprons pausing from shelving the quinoa turing to see the crazy pun lady go out with a bang. I could have delivered on finally zinger shouting, “I've never felt more Beat-rayed!” As I push over the entire display of violet roots, causing every shopping cart wheeling mom to burst into sympathetic applause as I bow my way out. Actually, I doubt anyone would have even noticed. I'm sure wilder things happen in Whole Foods all the time. Instead, I said "it's okay." Which was the opposite of what I meant. I meant, "it's not okay." I meant, "why?" I meant, "please don't leave me." I meant, "I have loved you for five years." I meant, "who will I play with when the waiters aren't looking?" "who will I race to impress with my banter?" "who will smile at me when he reaches the punchline first, delighted that he has won?"

[@joyyuan6283]

Sara Heaslip Thank you for posting this:)

[@javieraromero8611]

Gracias

[@afireinside0]

thank you!!

[@akshayraj4891]

Thanks for that

[@hemedmwanga6470]

Asante sana, umenifanya nielewe zaidi :)

[@crstph]

i really like how she maintained the humorous tone througout almost all of the poem to convey the meaning. a lot of poems like this start funny but then turn serious but she kept being funny, which kind of made it sadder..? but the tonal consistency was *chefs kiss*

[@Chujero]

I said "It's Ok", which was the opposite of what i meant.

[@Kaykay-nt7me]

Jm Chua i wish i could just send that whole part to someone without felling bad afterwards

[@knitfulgrace]

Thank you. Thank you for this funny heartbreaking poem. Thank you.

[@jaya_shekhar]

Sarah and Phil are the only one who can make you cry and laugh at the same time.

[@karramia14]

Jaya Shekhar speaking of this wasn’t about Phil right???

[@safiyarani4448]

@@karramia14 no, dumbass.

[@tetianadonets9095]

@@safiyarani4448 no need to be rude

[@rori9742]

i dont know if im crying or laughing or????? im honestly doing both. what a clever, back-and-forth juxtaposed wonderful thing this is

[@jinks3131]

I love the fluctuation between laughter and deep sympathetic silence

[@joannahp7223]

omg omg omg I saw Sarah Kay, I clicked SO fast

[@my0nick0my0love]

same :P

[@brookedehn9124]

SAME! She’s my favorite poet😍😍😍

[@lisk_ah]

This was the most delightful way in which my heart has ever been broken

[@Mistersocksssssss]

How can someone break HER heart?! SHE'S A GEM!

[@mysticmoth1111]

Imagine breaking up with someone like Sarah Kay?

[@kundaichingono6781]

Sarah kay is the best poet and story teller i have ever encountered✨

[@Gailsla10]

I don't come back often, but this always cuts so deep. I feel like this was written for me, in another life. Storytime: He and I would play these punny table games from when we first met. I remember walking up beside him on a group hike among a rocky trail and casually saying, "this really rocks," and beaming to myself. I remember always sitting within 2 seats of eachother at meal times, just so we could banter back and forth about whatever we happened to eat that day. I remember when summer camp/seminar season ended and I missed him. Every time I made a dumb pun, i always wanted to say it to him, but we were in different countries. I couldn't wait for summer to come again, and it never came too soon. Now i hold onto this letter he wrote me at the end of one summer. I reread it over and over, writing and rewriting a million responses. I couldn't bring myself to tell you that I fell into depression, or that another guy helped me when you couldn't be there, or that- worst of all- I grew feelings for him. I know you'll never read this lol. But I'm so sorry. I will always cherish what we had. You deserve the best, and I am not it, but I'm working to be.

[@Roisin647]

Your words are always so precise. Not only do your poems tell a story, they bring you/me on a journey. Thank you again for imparting your stories and sharing your words. Beautiful.

[@Saraad94]

I’ve watched this countless time and I still enjoy it.

[@anneblackwood9013]

"Food always tastes more delicious when you feel victorious. Maybe this is why people like to hunt." I had to pause the video I was laughing so hard.

[@wiKCed0831]

I've seen her perform this piece live! Come back to Manila please.

[@christinegachallan8263]

Kailan po sya nagpuntang Manila? sayang naman oh

[@wiKCed0831]

Christine Gachallan twice na sila nagpunta ni Phil Kaye ng Manila. Yung most recent, May last year sa UPD 😁

[@johnnashguzon9116]

I was there too! I've been looking for this poem here on youtube for so loong haha at last it's here na :)

[@bartzky101]

wiKCed0831 wow, hindi ko alam yun ah, shit, gusto sila mapanood huhu.

[@divinatalla712]

wiKCed0831 wow really? Ngperform na.sya sa manila?

[@queenjoellekamanzihirwe448]

This lady is exceptional. These couple last days I've been learning a lot from her. I literally re-encountered my long lost love for poetry with her. Thank you @SarahKay !

[@theebs1193]

"...delighted that he has won" TOO MANY EMOTIONS; TOO MANY MEANINGS. Sarah, you are so wonderful. This poem is getting me through the days. Thank you for you and your poetry.

[@lainejohnson817]

I am so thankful for the genius of Sarah Kay. Beautiful and heartbreaking, just like everything good in life.

[@jessiemiranda3582]

God i hate her so much.. she always manipulates my emotions.. she is truly amazing.

[@noelreyes4436]

She continues to amaze me !

[@uza-empire]

My favorite poem. Her words bring me joy

[@reshauribe]

I am so glad I saw this at home! I laughed out loud and sadly cried at the same time.

[@Flowers408]

She always blows me away

[@Geal_films]

never gets old ❤

[@vicarbonato17]

This girl always make me cry.

[@kristeemarie9576]

Sarah Kay just proved how our quirks become the loveliest parts we possess. Such a clever, heartbreaking piece.

[@BrainFoodCafe]

Starts with laugh , Ends with tears .... What a talent.

[@lailayas]

At restaurants Our favourite game was to touch an object on the table And casually offer a pun Into the existing conversation Touching the pepper grinder I might say, “You crack me up" Then you would graze your knife and declare, “That's a sharp observation" I would hold my water glass and caution, “Don't get too full of yourself" And you would nod seriously and apologize “You're right, I'm sorry", as you took the pen to sign the check Back and forth we went Eyes shifting from napkin to soup spoon, Considering the table top like a chessboard Giggling at our secrets from the waiters The best, of course, was when a new object was introduced to the table Something surprising, or difficult to manoeuvre into wordplay Something that left us both staring hard and silent, Racing each others brains to the cleverest quip You were always faster than I I could not keep up with your lightning mind, And rejoiced instead in the satisfaction it gave you to beat me to the punch line To see you beam at your own wit, And then at me, Your favourite audience. Food always tastes more delicious when you feel victorious, Maybe this is why people like to hunt. The day you broke up with me, You took me to Whole Foods for lunch This is a pain, Because there are so many of them in New York City and they each look the same And so now every one looks like the scene of the crime. After you told me you'd forgotten my name, on so many other mouths, I said “It's okay.” And held your hand while you cried If I had been just a little bit faster, I would have reached for the cheap paper napkin holder and said “Thank you, for dispensing this knowledge to me.” It would have not been one of my stronger puns, But it might have made you laugh; Which is still what I wanted most of all in that moment I could of said “Let's table this for later.” And knocked on the counter between us, or I guess I was more disposable than I thought As I reached for a plastic spoon. Maybe "wow, You sure kept this information contained" With a nod to the takeout box "I can't believe you kept a lid on this for so long" As I take a swig of water, "I bet it was really hard to keep bottled up!" Maybe I could have shouted a line about every single product on the shelves As a threw them to the ground. Winding my backwards through each aisle to the exit. Can you imagine the response I would have gotten Employees wiping their hands on their green aprons, Pausing from shelving the quinoa Turning to see the crazy pun lady go out with a bang I could have delivered one finally zinger shouting, “I've never been so beet-trayed!” As I push over the entire display of violet roots Causing every shopping cart wielding mom to burst into sympathetic applause As I bow my way out. Actually I doubt anyone could have even noticed I'm sure wilder things happen in Whole Foods all the time Instead, I said "it's okay." Which was the opposite of what I meant I meant, "it's not okay." I meant, "why?" I meant, "please don't leave me." I meant, "I have loved you for five years." I meant, "who will I play with when the waiters aren't looking?" "Who will I race to impress with my banter?" "Who will smile at me when he reaches the punchline first, Delighted that he has won?"

[@jadeyu7197]

What effort!!

[@ditaa93]

Hi, do you know what "After you told me you've forgotten my name on so many other mouths" Mean? Thank you

[@lailayas]

@@ditaa93 I’m guessing it means that the man she was with starting kissing and getting into relationships with so many other women that he doesn’t even remember her anymore

[@ditaa93]

@@lailayasI see.. Thanks for replying :)

[@folly4671]

I always come back and watch this video again

[@rcr257]

one of my favorite poems of hers!!

[@outtolunch5964]

She takes us from laughter to sympathy in .1 seconds. I LOVE HER. Sarah Kay was my inspiration to start spoken word, and she's my inspiration to write a poem about any word you throw at me. I can't sleep without preforming a poem as a whisper in my quiet house.

[@gloriamotsoere1384]

Once in a while I come back here…and every time, this sounds like a masterpiece

[@gangavalleymindtrainingpro917]

Amazing and amazing!

[@nightshiftbyommandizon5436]

This never grows old 🥺🥺🥺

[@DiSaValCrescerTranscender]

This lady is simply AMAZING! I came across with her video on Facebook, in one where she and another guy were performing "when love arrives". I felt in love with her at the right time!

[@jewelmoore6402]

I can relate to this so much rn. This is so good, I love your writing and delivery. Somehow I’m like sobbing and dying of laughter simultaneously at this

[@eddiebarrasa2106]

she's the best, could listen to her all day

[@mirandasmith8339]

I've watched a lot of Sarah's videos and i love them. i love the poetry but i also love her voice. it is just calming. lol.

[@adrianacastillo8313]

This is my favorite.

[@captainjarum]

Sarah Kay is just amazing

[@belindamunyeza4596]

Her poetry is always such a delight ❤

[@danicalovenickj]

I saw her perform this live ugh i love her

[@danalulu13]

This is so funny! hahaha and heart wrenching at the same time

[@soozm8520]

brilliant. love her work and her energy and delivery

[@christinethiem]

She's the only reason I'm subscribed to this channel. Such beautiful, poignant, funny pieces.

[@shxbhangi]

This poem makes me laugh and cry together. A brilliant piece of poetry and the narration gave me goosebumps

[@chrisn8418]

5 years on and this poem is still as brilliant as it was

[@tinasheafm8618]

The joy is so real right now.

[@flickerfadgone]

OMG! Finally! I remember watching this live last year!

[@juliedonnelly3782]

this was moving in so many different ways , thank you.

[@candypaperheart]

I laughed, I cried (as I do every time that I watch it). She is my spirit animal. Each person experiences the pain of heartache in ways that are unique to them. It is so bittersweet to think that someone can relate to me because of a situation that I never wanted to be a part of, that I didn’t choose.

[@jadesham9401]

man sarah kay is such a wonderful story teller

[@ianmcdonough4305]

Sarah Kay is a GENIUS. Honestly, she's excellent.

[@ceeshel]

My HEART, Sarah.

[@Κίκο-ξ3ε]

This is just awesome...!

[@glendalopez6716]

Clicked Like before actually watching it, because... sarah kay

[@spacecowgirl143]

Sarah Kay never fails to amaze me

[@jhamid9732]

sarah never fails to play with my emotions 😢

[@yumbunny2566]

I love this woman 😍

[@maisarahmortaza281]

she has such a gift! :) x

[@alainalucio1537]

Only Sarah Kay can make my heart laugh and cry simultaneously.

[@dontworrybehippie84]

I love this so much and I can relate to this on a spiritual level... I love puns 😂😂

[@nadiahcooper]

I love this poem but I've never seen a video of until now!!!!

[@michellecabatingan9466]

Still makes me teary-eyed.

[@kerlisaramkissoon6987]

by far my favorite​ one

[@willspy4u]

Wow! Amazingly powerful and exceedingly well-delivered. Quite the "biting" commentary. Best to be "waiting" ... than to be the "waiter" (the one who waits... for the punch line). I would say you have an amazing "recipe" for empathy in this sweet little "dessert" that you've crafted! Nothing here that I couldn't "swallow." It wasn't even "salty;" it was clever and subtle; showing the prowess of the true "word chef," aka Sarah Kay.

[@hananuhbanana]

cried so much at the end

[@asias3000]

my FAVORITE

[@madelynlewis8902]

i love this one

[@RaJvEeR-bc9tz]

I love Sharah.she is just fantastic..

[@fayate_6984]

by far the best Sarah Kay

[@keabetsweroma7818]

Yaaaaaaaaassssss mama😭😭😭😭💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@sandeeprmurthy]

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!

[@soozm8520]

crying again after just watching her and phils "when love arrives"

[@ciannasumayo5106]

I'm so thankful that I was able to see her perform this poem live here in the philippines 😭😭❤️

[@jonathantrauner3742]

Sarah Kay, always a legend

[@rincognito]

At restaurants, our favorite game was to touch an object on the table and casually offer a pun into the existing conversation. Touching the pepper grinder, I might say, "You crack me up." Then you would graze your knife and declare, "That's a sharp observation." I would hold my water glass and caution, "Don't get too full of yourself." And you would nod seriously and apologize, "You're right, I'm sorry," as you took the pen to sign the check. Back and forth we went, eyes shifting from napkin to soup spoon, considering the table top like a chess board, giggling at our secret from the waiters. The best, of course, was when a new object was introduced to the table. Something surprising or difficult to maneuver into word play. Something that left us both staring hard and silent, racing each other's brains to the cleverous (?) quip. You were always faster than I. I could not keep up with your lighting mind and rejoiced, instead, in the satisfaction it gave you to beat me to the punch line as you beam at your own wit. And then at me, your favorite audience. Food always tastes more delicious when you feel victorious. Maybe this is why people like to hunt. The day you broke up with me, you took me for Whole Foods for lunch. This is the pain, because there are so many of them in New York City, and they each look the same. And so now, every one seems like the "scene of the crime". After you told me you have forgotten my name and so many other mouths, I said, "It's okay," and held your hand while you cried. If I had been just a little faster, I would have reached for the cheap paper napkin holder and said, "Thank you for dispensing this knowledge to me." It would not have been one of my stronger puns, but it might have made you laugh, which was still what I wanted most of all in that moment. I could have said, "Let us table this for later," and knocked on the counter between us. Or "I guess I was more disposable than I thought" as I reached for the plastic spoon. Maybe "Wow, you sure kept this information contained" with a nod to the take-out box. "I can't believe you kept a lid on this for so long," as I take a swig of water, "I'll bet it was really hard to keep bottled up." Maybe I could've shouted a line about every single product on the shelf as I threw them to the ground, winding my way backwards through each aisle to the exit. Can you imagine the response I would have gotten? Employees wiping their hands on their green aprons, pausing from shelving the Kinua(?), turning to see the crazy pun lady go out with a bang. I could've delivered one final zinger, shouting, "I have never been so betrayed!" as I push over the entire display of violet roots, causing every shopping cart-wielding mom to burst into sympathetic applause as I bow my way out. Actually, I doubt anyone could have even noticed, I am sure (?) wilder things happened at Whole Food all the time. Instead, I said, "It's okay," which was the opposite of what I meant. I meant, "It's not okay." I meant, "Why?" I meant, "Please don't leave me." I meant, "I have loved you for five years." I meant, "Who will I play with when the waiters aren't looking? Who will I race to impress with my banter? Who will smile at me when he reaches the punchline first, delighted that he has won?"

[@HeresVivian]

Regine thanks! It’s quinoa ;).

[@simranm9483]

I meant "please don't leave me".

[@SelendangSulaimanOfficial]

Sarah, you are always amazing,..

[@ma-scorpion]

I am so mad that it has taken me this long to discover this beautifully written and performed piece

[@ccandeas]

wow, ouch, that is all I can muster up for the moment being. thank you Sarah.

[@AngshumanPalKolkata313]

How do you manage to leave me gasping for breath with every poem????

[@renrenlovescats]

she performed it in Manila. one of the best! 😭

[@niks961]

Sarah Kaye is one of my biggest inspirations to write poetry.... this is a beautiful piece... I love it so much. Sarah please come visit Manila again😢

[@jamilla8588]

its incredible how funny this poem is for how quickly it made me tear up

[@kerrymurphy4121]

THIS CHANGED MY LIFE

[@selinda2009]

Brilliant!!!great job!!!

[@CrisDizzler]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh New Sarah Kay!!!!!!❤

[@maryclaireclarin1755]

"I meant, please don't leave me." 💔 She's great. Really great.

[@Lai-ny7wt]

I was laughing and I was crying, all damn together

[@yeshwanti]

Wonderful and brilliant

[@precious2228]

been so long Sarah Kay hahaha. got excited.

[@la-lv4fq]

Okay. This made my year.

[@anthonyourbrother]

lovely

[@alejandra143]

The dislikes are people that laughed/cried so hard they accidentally hit the thumbs down