Miles Hodges "Alcatraz Of Balloons"

[@elijah4069]

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

[@alfredsalazar5836]

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

[@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."

[@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. 🙏🏾

[@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.

[@mindyabizness583]

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

[@deannator1822]

3 years later and I still get goosebumps

[@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.

[@apple01323]

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

[@jasminnicole5293]

Same

[@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]

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.

[@KrystalMidega]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@Shambayamiti]

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

[@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.

[@betselotzelalem9548]

Still listening to this in 2018🙃

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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...

[@mis7289]

We need more of Miles hodges

[@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.

[@jackiehillperrychannel]

His timing is awesome in this performance.

[@danielmerriquedos]

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

[@MsMinicooper85]

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

[@kristenjohnson5703]

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

[@sheenacrazyg]

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

[@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.

[@taeso4027]

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

[@Hersheybubbles1]

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

[@JasNic92]

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

[@zapzip9633]

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

[@terrieknutson107]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@MomoThePoet]

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

[@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.

[@commentor504]

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

[@Tahmia100]

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

[@jennessabm]

man I love all of his work.❤

[@UC1nkF3AFvcHf5Hwp851]

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

[@KarhemaDeborha]

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

[@devinedorianwhite]

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

[@danielmerriquedos]

And... again, I'm back.

[@victoriamiller903]

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

[@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...

[@marcusgoudeau2848]

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

[@safire718]

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

[@poeticmindz]

Honest and deliberate,,,I can appreciate both

[@MiyaRaeDoll]

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

[@krystaprice80]

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

[@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

[@ASKpoeta]

sooo much emotion i really respect and love this guy!

[@LAtttiful]

One of his best works. Simply raw.

[@lenaBesos]

oh miles

[@karabomatsomane861]

How has this video not hit 1 billion views?

[@teebraswell6801]

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

[@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!

[@tiffanyvales7944]

I cried watching this. best night of my life

[@Jennnnnnaah]

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

[@PassionCarlnese]

tears & chills.

[@tyquinciajames9802]

No words!! Simply amazing

[@MrsTrippleA3]

my favorite poem from him thus far...

[@luphelele]

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

[@vanillahighway]

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

[@francisnunez847]

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

[@NYchick23]

YES! i was there and it was amazing.

[@alwaysk4354]

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

[@mizpink309]

Miles has left me speechless again..

[@ketlyne08able]

O get goosebumps every time I watch this

[@danielmerriquedos]

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

[@danielmerriquedos]

And I'm back again...

[@DidiShaker]

speechless... this was so amazing!

[@CeeCeeOnIt87]

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

[@jade161616]

Beautiful!!

[@girl34781]

My god I love this guy

[@LoveOnTop1000]

This is amazing!

[@BrinaC17]

OMG LOVED THIS

[@nicolebrit33]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@alfredsalazar5836]

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

[@zapzip9633]

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

[@sincerelydaja]

Magical, as usual .

[@pinknthecity2514]

Still here.

[@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.

[@KhadijahInspires]

soo raw!

[@Sadiesay13]

Well damn, a whole lot more truth than I expected but it was amazing. And imam so much more in love with his words. Thank you God and his parents for this beautiful (in all aspects of the meaning) creature we call Miles Hodges

[@Tre2011Y]

"Alcatraz" of Balloons deep.....felt this

[@StyledByAsh]

FUCK YEAH MILES

[@katrinalee009]

This is what ive been waiting on

[@ChristianJaLon]

"A glimpse of sin and salvation all in the same sentence..."

[@CayRoseMonster]

Speechless

[@francesdaniels5725]

Who could dislike this?

[@tdeefan09]

Why am I crying.

[@hailthehops4384]

Continues to Inspire

[@juniorstultz28]

Wow Man that was heart felt

[@Deenique16]

LOVE.

[@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.

[@NicholasGeorge1987]

CAN NOT WAIT for him, Alysia Harris, and Joshua Bennett to come to Central VA!