Siaara Freeman - The Drug Dealer's Daughter

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Ebony Stewart, performing at Rustbelt 2014 in Detroit, MI.
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[@DiamondJanee15]

She nailed this. I used to always think we were rich.

[@ahjahlet-rowe7971]

Swear tell daddy gone for 7 years and mom bearly home cause she trying give the life your dad gave u selling rocks oh i feel you

[@tatyanabadue5322]

I definitely relate to this all the way

[@hannahcook9413]

Like I’m confused why she seems proud of her dad the hell

[@christophercampbell5639]

@@hannahcook9413 why? because he tryn make a living for her even if it's not the right way he made sure bbygirl had a smile on her face

[@JustRealAsf]

@@hannahcook9413 I would be too.. better havin a daddy that cares to provide for me then one who gon leave..

[@taviaaaa]

"You know the drug dealer is supposed to die, right?" Gave me chills

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Thank you relentlessly for the love and support darlings.

[@opiumbrella1367]

Your words are powerful Thanks for giving them to us

[@samanthareese3031]

Hey ,C!! U nailed this, keep up the good work, phenomenal !!! Love you & miss you ,auntie tuck

[@keilanihong6237]

There's something about your voice that gives me the nicest chills. It's almost painful but doesn't leave me in pain. It does leave me sore with the sorrow that I feel from this. Everytime I watch this I can't help but hear the pain hiding behind those words and I want to hug you and tell you that it's ok now. This is beautiful in an oddly uncomfortable way. It forces me to listen and learn a lesson that can't be taught in classrooms. There is no long lectures or notes to be taken. Just three and a half minutes of being taught by the one person truly qualified to teach. And God damn you can teach. Your words are spoken from a tongue that refuses to be anything less than beautiful. I send you all the love and respect from my heart to you. You deserve it. -Exodus

[@rashadmckenzie6621]

Amazing poem

[@ihatemickiegee]

you are amazing.

[@bballislife42]

"Some nights I put on my father's chalk outline; I teach it how to walk"

[@progamers5371]

Can you please give the wordings of poem please please

[@gabriellesimone2546]

Can you elaborate this

[@ambie7437]

I dont think she needs it....

[@Ab888ab]

Gabrielle Simone I’m thinking chalk outline: outlining evidence at a crime scene.

[@gracieloufreebusch2218]

This is the poetry that makes you uncomfortable. This is the poetry that eases something up inside you, MAKES you listen, MAKES you learn. You can't ignore it, and you couldn't tear your eyes away if you tried. To stand there and give a room, the world, your still-beating heart is a bravery I can only hope to be one day.

[@nessynessy9817]

i think it only makes u uncomfortable if you arent in it

[@christophercampbell5639]

I don't think she meant uncomfortable like that. when I hear good poetry chills run through my body making me want to hear more and bring upon this uncomfortable kind of feeling, not a bad one though a good kind of comfortable similar to like butterflies on your first date or the rush you get when you're about to do something you love

[@harleighs6186]

You can do it. Ur comment enraptured me!

[@klacolvin]

" most days I am a ally that no one will enter alone"

[@cwhite6397]

Everyday I am a lot undeveloped while everything around it grows

[@MrJadenLake]

I don't know if this was said already, however, I appreciate the fact that you were able to bring the whole story full circle. Starting with number one being the love of greek mythology and closing with the gifts and lessons of Zeus and Athena. I haven't seen very many artists display that ability but when I do, I acknowledge it. The work that you did here is absolutely beautiful.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Such an honest compliment. Thank you

[@MrJadenLake]

You're very welcome. Keep doing what you're doing. For the good of yourself and every human being that has the good fortune of hearing you speak such heartfelt words.

[@smeak9246]

Siaara Freeamn I just wanted to tell you that this was phenomenal. The 1st time I heard it the beginning threw me off a little because I didn't understand what Greek mythology had to do with it but you shed light on it at the end and you told it like a story with a proper conclusion. Beautifully written

[@staceyblessed31]

@@siaarafreeamn6246 opp

[@GrannyGamer1]

Zeus made an exit wound big enough for his daughter to walk out of, fully armored.

[@cassiusvoidkin]

This poem speaks to me as the child of a drug dealer/petty thief.

[@cassiusvoidkin]

My biggest fear was always that loud knock on the door in the middle of the night.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Clarissa Williams honey. I love you for saying that truth. Thank you

[@cassiusvoidkin]

Thank you, Siaara. I love you for the truth in your poetry. :)

[@alysiamoore6782]

@@cassiusvoidkin That's still my biggest fear. The neighbor had called a complaint for my dog one day, so a cop knocked on my door to speak to the family about it. I had a panic attack.

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Stunningly beautiful.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Ohhh dear, im bursting with kindness I want to return

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Love to you, relentlessly

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Thank you, you beautiful talented young woman :)

[@katyk3057]

Wow that's so awesome

[@carathelittlewindsong2485]

+Siaara Freeamn that was so breathtaking and sincere. Thank you for your contribution to the beauty in this world

[@513adri]

I cried at the baby tooth pocket watch part, you're amazing

[@yourgirlkate2482]

i just have an itch the suburbs ain’t got nails for... she is incredible

[@rebeccak9626]

Respect to this woman and her family. The realest poetry I've ever heard, and there's nothing more beautiful than a strong black woman having a voice and using it. So deep ❤ xoxo

[@yello.universe4164]

Rebecca Kerr I love your comment. Thank you

[@OohKyle]

CHILLS. The Athena metaphor is amazing

[@MakedaSandford]

This poem just made me realize how much being a drug dealer's daughter impacted my identity. touched me to say the least. thank you sierra.

[@xoSiNgInGiNtHeRaInox]

when her poem ended all i said was FUCK yea. "...you probably knew this was going to happen. Saying it out loud makes me feel better, makes this more real, less magic, makes this poem more '10 things you didn't know about Siaara Freeman,' less 10 things about a cliche you can click yo fuckin' teeth at. Some nights I put on my father's chalk outline; I teach it how to walk. My face is a haunted house my mother screams at from habit not fear. Most days I am an alley that no one will enter alone." I love your confidence and admire your strength. I'd want to be your friend, but i'm most definitely your fan. By the way. I think both you and your father sound like beautiful people. Peace.

[@HappinessTheBrand]

This is my coach, friend, partner in literary crime and I am so proud to be on the come up with this BEAST.

[@gugulethumpofu9953]

there are no words in the English language to describe how powerful and beautiful this is.

[@SachinM0515]

I'm left speechless... The poem was amazing and the delivery was even better than I thought it was going to be... I can't wait to hear more from her... 💜

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Soon! Thanks for the support my love

[@makarijones409]

Siaara Freeamn when can I do this kinda stuff I wanna be on KZbin and share some of my thoughts

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Come hang with me for the summer nephew

[@makarijones409]

oootay

[@tgc228]

I love the way that she uses language to emote. When I listen to her words I can see the innocence of angel wings as she describes her childhood turned wings made of iron nails and scrap metal by the end. She is tough - placed in a position where she is forced to survive and yet as she utters her last line she spreads her wings... and thrives.

[@pebblyproductions2823]

just wandering down the rabbit hole and i remembered this piece. this is the poetry that will tear you apart every time.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

This is an awesome self revelation of life for her; how she perceived her dad after the fact of learning and living loving him non the less acknowledging the life that a black man lives and projects to his child to learn and learn from... learn teach, speak, share and go the other way...Love Mom!!!

[@Ebon_Sean]

The poem was amazing, but what really hit me was the way she started with the small line about Greek mythology, and then, at the end, brought it full circle by going into detail on one story of said mythology to use as an analogy.

[@NegoClau]

Goosebumps all over my body! English is not my native language, so first I had to *feel* these words, *translate* them later to only then actually *think* about it. Gotta say it: *THREE STABS DEEP IN MY GUTS!!!* So powerful!

[@patriciaoleary7569]

This is such a rare perspective that I am so happy to have the privilege to hear. Thank you so much for your poem

[@mackenzienorton1612]

I can relate to this so much my dad sold drugs. I still can't find words for it but I'm glad you did.

[@dariusbattle5638]

I've watched this twice,I've cried snot tears listening to this piece of art.but won't be listening anymore, Brings Too Many Emotions Out

[@minervasanchez8618]

ten years later and i still cry every time ❤️‍🔥 this is easily one of my favorite poems

[@RavynSkye617]

From Detroit, Six and Schaefer and have both friends and family who are recovering addicts. Some now dead, some in recovery, and never have I seen the dealers as the problem, the way they tried to demonize them in DARE as a child... No dealer offers to sell you drugs, drugs sell themselves. I'm sorry about your father. No one is 'supposed' to die, dealer or addict, and dealing, and the money associated with it, is just as addictive as the drugs. No one goes back to a minimum wage unskilled job after they've made such easy money for years, and got their family out the projects that way. No one.

[@Jazzyphresh2190]

Ok east side. We (Detroit) just got some cleaning to do

[@elizabethtristan5352]

That was entirely riveting. It seems disrespectful to say this piece was beautiful, so what i think i mean is that this piece is incredible and she has a beautiful mind.

[@juliaschrijnders4663]

All my respect goes to this poem and the story and the raw feelings it gives.

[@heathermize3703]

I pray that my children will carry the strength and power you display. xo

[@RabidHoleNetwork]

I was here in person...it's crazy I didn't even know this was on KZbin. So I was telling someone Abt here and searched her and this came up the show I was actually at...she is soooooo dope man

[@ButtonPoetry]

Amazing! I am 99% sure I filmed this and I think this was in Detroit during rustbelt? Small world huh? And yeah - Siaara is something else. No joke. We've got a book coming out by her in the next few months and it is AMAZING.

[@RabidHoleNetwork]

@@ButtonPoetry yes I believe it was on or very close to the somewhere in Wayne state campus

[@professorhistoire5349]

I'm still writhing from the tie-in back into Greek mythology. that was absolutely amazing

[@cynhanrahan4012]

After ten years, and even seeing this performed live, I still get goosebumps. See you on Oct 6 in your Button Workshop, Siaara. Can't wait.

[@ButtonPoetry]

EEEE that is so exciting!!! We hope you love the workshop :)

[@screamingtayhawkins6309]

I will never stop coming back to this. Such a beautiful poem

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Taija Taylor that keeps him alive. the story alive and me alive. thank you.

[@MademoiselleDisney]

Siaara. You are amazing. This made me cry. You are beautiful and your voice is so strong just like the personality that comes through in this performance. You are talented, extremely talented.

[@whitneygeorge2381]

Thank you for sharing your story. It was painfully beautiful.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

Thank you for the love my love

[@SheisMe55]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Wow!!! Magic appears through words.

[@DxChulis]

Beautiful expression. I was found on the other side, daughter of an ex-drug addict.

[@lunablanton3031]

This is...this is everything poetry and spoken word should be. Everything that makes your soul ache at an experience you never walked but felt like you did for a few minutes. Thank you. Thank you seems so meaningless for the gratitude I would like to extend for sharing this with us.

[@rivera-chan3391]

I listen to this as I work and cannot put into words how much I love this great work the emotion is conveyed so well

[@shionnu7514]

This hit close to home

[@buddhaxombie4282]

I tear up every time I listen to this.

[@avasportsman3295]

This woman is absolutely stunning, I love the way she speaks

[@alyssawright3220]

Goosebumps. This is breathtaking. Continue to use your words, because they're your magic.

[@epizodyczna]

Can someone write this poem in a comment? English is not my first language and I can't hear everything. As far as I can understand, it's amazing though.

[@maddi4699]

(some parts are probably messed up. sorry this is 5 years late) Ten things they never tell you about the drug dealer’s daughter: 1. She loves greek mythology, and by the time she learns to love anything more than herself it’s long dead. 2. She’s nine when she realizes she has the blessing of being brought up in a contemporary concept, she’s the first on her block to get a stay-at-home dad. He plays Barbies, and dominos, and he cooks y’all. We got enough baking soda in our basement to open up ten bakeries. My daddy is a baker, the cakes they sell so fast you never see them, just the customers looking some kind of hungry, like they got a sweet tooth only my daddy can yank and I swear y’all, we’re gonna be rich. 3. None of her friends believe her, until they all turn training bra and things start disappearing and reappearing in her house. First, Tonya’s television set. Her older brother’s attention. Then Danielle’s four-finger ring and her father’s retirement fund. Finally, Danielle’s whole mother. 4. A girl, and her father, and their family, disappear into a new neighborhood. The drug dealer, the father, never misses a play, a pageant, a slam, and they ain’t even rich. But they ain’t them projects no more either. 5. By the time I realize what we are, it’s already too late. We are an urban novel you skim over at Walmart, a four-minute smirk on Fox 8’s face, who would occur if Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino made a film under Eazy E’s direction. The question Black America asks itself every Sunday. I am a bakery, with nothing sweet left in it. 6. My father is killed. My father is shot point-blank range in the back of the left ear one night, but you probably knew this was going to happen. Saying it out loud makes me feel better, makes this more real, less magic, makes this poem more 10 things you didn’t know about Seeara Freeman(the poet), less 10 things about a cliche, you can click your fuckin teeth at. 7. Some nights, I put on my father’s chalk outlines, I teach it how to walk, my face is a haunted house my mother screams at from habit not fear. Most days I am an ally that no one will enter alone. 8. He is found, with no jewelry, just his pocket watch my baby tooth is snuggled inside, after his autopsy is returned to me, chipped. 9. I disappear into my old neighborhood, the suburbs- I got an itch the suburbs just ain’t got nails for I find Danielle, she asks me if I inherited any of my daddy’s magic. I shake my head, she abracadabras something into her arms and says, “You know the drug dealer is supposed to die, right?” 10. I know the stories. How magic can turn black men into myths that the hood will turn a black man into a monster, and that Zeus made an exit wound big enough for his daughter to walk out of fully armored and Athena, like most goddesses, never learned to love anything more than herself.

[@erikablack6761]

@@maddi4699 you are so sweet Maddi 5. By the time I realize what we are. It's already too late. We are an urban novel that you skim over at WalMart, a four minute smirk on Fox 8's face, (for the part that's missing) ~who would occur if spike lee and Quentin Tarantino made a film under Eazy E's direction. The question Black America asks itself every Sunday.~ I am a bakery...with nothing sweet left in it. At the end of 6. Something you click your fuckin teeth AT. Not "back" 8. He is found. With no JEWELRY. I know it sounds like jury 🤣🤣🤣 but that's because that is kinda how it sounds when we say it 🤷🏽 more like Jew-ree 😅 9. I got an itch the suburbs JUST ain't got the nails for. 10. And that Zeus made an exit wound big enough for his daughter to walk out of ~FULLY ARMORED~ and Athena, like most goddesses, never learned to love anything more than herself.

[@maddi4699]

Erika Black thank you!!

[@lisagriffin8221]

Siaara!!! this was BEYOND beautiful ... !! Keep doing what you're doing (:

[@juliussmith9054]

Poetry is nothing without delivery, great job.

[@karolinahes]

This poem was absolutely stunning! And Siaara.. that's now on my list of favourite names.. Beautiful, all of it!

[@Brinean]

Had the privilege to hear Siaara Freeman in person tonight, her voice is amazing

[@traniesacaldwell732]

Powerful...I love you Si

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

love you toooooo

[@dnaderonross4267]

This is still strong beautiful and sooo truly amazing.

[@hieroglyphicbeautii]

Every time I watch this I get emotional 😭 it’s so powerful and beautiful and so much more!

[@brandonthomas9609]

this was the first one to make me weep...

[@Unicaxasmr]

Such a beautiful poem that I can relate to, thank you so much Sierra for the amazing poem 💖 stay strong

[@MxYsptzLk]

What a passionate poem... looking forward to more from this poet.

[@MyPoetryHouseOnEtsy]

So many chills.

[@ambermillar2408]

Actual tears, this is outstanding

[@katiek5717]

the beginning part about the baking soda, made me think pretty deeply about childhood perspective...

[@sherrisolomon8673]

Absolutely haunting piece.

[@roniboni___]

MESMERIZING, literally jaw dropped at how powerful and deep this is😩🙌

[@markeishagray5368]

Absolutely great! I was in tears listening to you because I too can relate to what you're speaking on. My father is one of my biggest supporters but he's also a drug dealer. Great Poem.

[@jorgeguy601]

Wow! That left me with chills! Beautiful!

[@Mira-io8jg]

I am crying right now, because of how much beauty there is in this poem

[@vdokken1]

This is amazing. I was breathless. Strong. Powerful. Woman.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

All . Those adjectives make me so intoxicatingly giddy

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

All those intoxicatingly beautiful adjectives you used made me incredibly giddy my darling

[@aarmau4life991]

i was there live she is beautiful and is inspiring

[@indigo0012]

This gave me goosebumps throughout the whole thing. Simply beautiful

[@TerraRiley]

Absolutely incredible. Truth and beauty raw. If that isn't inspiration I don't know what is. Grabbing a pen. Thank you Siaara!

[@aronsraj9616]

Speechless.

[@MlleKnobs]

wow, powerful. she is beautiful and so are her words.

[@Ell3m3nta1]

That is very possibly my new favorite poem completely beautiful So raw, so real. This is amazing. Human emotion has never been so real.

[@trepencil3031]

This is so moving.

[@ibthejoker]

Wow! That was a very eye opening deliverance of hidden truth not many people have ever considered. Thank you Siaara.

[@Eclipsepvm]

Her words are so powerful.. So strong but so beautiful all at once

[@akenkeiyi1274]

This is a powerful and awesome sister and I was honored to witness her in person ...

[@Vadzx]

I swear she could've said anything and her passionate voice would've made it sound like angels singing

[@summer2811]

Finally a million views, I've been listening to this beautiful poem for over 5 years, at least once a week. Never found words that explained my upbringing more 💗💕

[@marymcfadden-wasek3388]

I am stunned into tears.

[@nikboehme8257]

Had me in tears .u r truly beautful

[@MerryTheNIGHT]

in tears, this was so powerful and beautiful

[@victorialee4946]

this is me soo much "most days I am an ally no one will ever alone" Story of my line

[@victoriarose1722]

Ugh i cry everytime i listen to this

[@sugarplum9208]

Wonderful. Amazing Can't wait to hear more!!!

[@crownmeplease]

Love everything about this !

[@barbaranewbery2772]

I'm glad you all get your voice out.

[@emilyferrell6055]

Amazing Siaara.

[@bballislife42]

I'm still in awe at your talent

[@poetikalyanointed_lionofju3019]

I'm speechless right now. Much respect to you, Siaara. This is an incredible performance built on so much pain and sorrow.

[@lou_jk]

I can relate to this... Thank you so much for this. Thank you so so much.

[@evangering1612]

this made me break down crying. this was fantastic.

[@ashanahas6600]

Beautifully real. Thank you.

[@siaarafreeamn6246]

What you see is the person she is!!! her ability to converse and talk of what she sees in accordance to what she lives has always been a gift for her and otjhers. I always said to her put it on paper and tell the world... to those who can relate...it speaks volumes even to me her Mom... she has always astonished me with her ability to speak on what she percieved and to share and touch others with her spoken words Love to her and to you!!! Mom

[@cynhanrahan4012]

Ma'am, I spent some time with Siaara a few years back at a workshop, and I need to tell you - you raised a powerful woman. I adore her work, but her heart is huge.

[@catiezimmer7283]

This whole poem is simply amazing. People these days are so ignorant, its nice to have this to remind me of how luck I truly am.

[@nicknackthefabulous5540]

I can't say I relate but this was so moving

[@SNMG7664]

I can't produce words powerful enough to express the impact that this had on me.

[@SoapBoxAPoetrywebseries]

i just love how large our poetry community is.

[@motheroffun]

i LOVE how relatable this is. I love you Siarra!💖

[@bellathebookworm5156]

I love greek mythology to, which made me relate to Sierra and then i started crying bc the poem is beautiful and there are no words to describe it

[@DaisyJaneAntiques]

Simply amazing. Need to hear more from her asap. I've got chills.