[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.38,0:00:16.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Phil Kaye: Hi everyone.\N(Audience) Hi.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.79,0:00:21.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My name is Phil,\Nand I am a spoken word poet.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.51,0:00:25.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you are sitting wondering\Nexactly what that might mean, that's OK.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.72,0:00:28.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lot of times, people ask\Nwhat I do for a living,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.26,0:00:30.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if I say, "Oh, I'm a poet," they think
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.68,0:00:34.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is some sort of cute euphemism\Nfor "I'm filling out job applications."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.25,0:00:35.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.32,0:00:36.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that's actually not true.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.84,0:00:38.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I spend a lot of my time working
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.82,0:00:42.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with schools, organizations,\Nand communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.98,0:00:48.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,performing and teaching spoken word poetry\Nto people of all ages and backgrounds.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.06,0:00:50.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lot of that work is\Nthrough an organization
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.47,0:00:52.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called project VOICE
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.25,0:00:56.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I co-direct with a wonderful friend\Nand an amazing poet, Sarah Kaye.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.94,0:01:00.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want to start today off with a poem.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.77,0:01:02.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about my grandfather.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.66,0:01:04.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Today is a special day for me
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.84,0:01:09.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because, even though he passed away\Na few years ago, today is his birthday.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.49,0:01:12.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The poem goes like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.40,0:01:18.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"My grandfather is not a strong man,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.02,0:01:21.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he knows what it means to build.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.86,0:01:28.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 1947, after he and my great-uncles\Nreturned form the Second World War,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.46,0:01:31.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they opened up an army surplus store.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.28,0:01:35.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They called it,\N'Union War Surplus Store.'
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.18,0:01:38.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Their slogan, 'From the battleship\Nto a hunting knife,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.49,0:01:40.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have it, or we'll get it.'
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.25,0:01:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My grandfather was not a strong man,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.06,0:01:44.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he kept his word.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.81,0:01:48.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The place was half store,\Nhalf encyclopedia;
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.91,0:01:51.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,packed, all the way to the ceiling,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.74,0:01:56.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with odd objects that somebody,\Nsomewhere, might want.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.16,0:01:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Steel toe boots, fire resistant overalls,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.94,0:02:03.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a Czechoslovakian dental kit from 1947.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.73,0:02:07.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Packed, all the way to the basement,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.25,0:02:11.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with people that somebody,\Nsomewhere else, might forget about;
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.26,0:02:12.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not here.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.68,0:02:15.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like Richard -\NRichard who did not work there,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.88,0:02:20.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but showed up every Sunday afternoon\Nin his full military uniform.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.66,0:02:23.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Never bought a goddamn thing."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.02,0:02:24.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.07,0:02:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"But once, brought his little girl,\Nheld her hand, said,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.14,0:02:33.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'This is what it smelled like\Nwhen daddy was a hero.'
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.99,0:02:36.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My grandfather was not a strong man,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.42,0:02:38.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he kept us safe.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.12,0:02:41.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We walked together in the park one night,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.06,0:02:44.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a jagged man,\Nwith more tattoo than skin,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.24,0:02:46.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,walked up directly\Nto my grandfather and said,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.53,0:02:48.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Hey, old man!
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.51,0:02:51.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My pops used to take me\Nto your store as a kid,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.85,0:02:55.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you shook my hand once,\Nlike I was a man.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.40,0:02:57.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still remember that.'
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.72,0:03:00.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My grandfather's office was upstairs,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.71,0:03:05.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he liked to work down\Non the floor, lent anybody a smile.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.17,0:03:08.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody called him, 'Cheerful Al.'
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.21,0:03:12.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With his big belly,\Nbald head, long, gray beard,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.48,0:03:15.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,little kids would see him\Nand go, 'Santa Claus!'"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.65,0:03:17.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.16,0:03:22.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Six years after Union War\NSurplus Store opened its doors,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.32,0:03:26.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my grandfather had a son, my dad.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.06,0:03:29.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He is not a strong man,\Nbut he knows what it means to build.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.79,0:03:32.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One summer, when he was a teenager,\Nhe worked at the store,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.95,0:03:36.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,built a door in the back;\Nit's still there.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.77,0:03:41.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Forty years after Union War\NSurplus Store opened its doors,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.96,0:03:44.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my father had a son.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.08,0:03:45.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am not a strong boy,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.78,0:03:48.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I'm trying to learn\Nwhat it means to build.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.75,0:03:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One summer, when I was a teenager,\NI worked at the store,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.68,0:03:55.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,built this display that went\Nall the way up to the ceiling.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.97,0:03:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The same ceiling where my dad\Ntaught me to identify things,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.48,0:04:03.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Oh, this here? This is\Nan old American bombshell.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.67,0:04:07.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You may want to hold it,\Nbut be careful not to hurt yourself.'
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.57,0:04:11.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Oh, her there? She is\Na young American bombshell.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.76,0:04:14.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You may want to hold her,\Nbut be careful not to hurt yourself.'"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.94,0:04:16.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.56,0:04:20.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Soon after my father built his door,\Nhe walked through it,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.56,0:04:25.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,built his own half encyclopedia;\Nmade my grandfather very proud.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.46,0:04:29.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Soon after, I built my display,\NI ran up to my grandfather's office,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.86,0:04:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,showed him what I had done,\N'Very good, Phil. Very good.'
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.92,0:04:37.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I asked him what to do next,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.08,0:04:40.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he handed me an old piece\Nof paper, a beat-up pen.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.94,0:04:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I asked him what to do with it,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.08,0:04:46.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he shrugged his shoulders and laughed,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.49,0:04:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I began to build\Nthe only way I know how."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.25,0:04:54.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.66,0:04:59.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.69,0:05:01.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.74,0:05:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.12,0:05:06.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that's just one example\Nof spoken word poetry,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.55,0:05:11.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,poetry that's meant to be performed\Nas opposed to read on a piece of paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.19,0:05:14.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes, people ask about\Nthe writing process of spoken word poetry,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.91,0:05:17.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's not that different\Nfrom creating something else:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.71,0:05:19.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are drafts and revisions
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.88,0:05:24.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hopefully, a group of people\Nwho you trust to give you some feedback.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.48,0:05:28.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's a little bit\Nof what I wanted to talk about today.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.27,0:05:30.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to rewind for a little bit.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.29,0:05:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's 2006, I've just started college,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.82,0:05:36.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I've been doing\Nspoken word poetry for a few years
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.64,0:05:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but only taught a few workshops.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.02,0:05:41.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I find out about a volunteer opportunity
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.64,0:05:45.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to teach spoken word poetry\Nin the local prison system.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.46,0:05:48.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A friend urges me to sign up, so I do.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.74,0:05:50.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to be totally honest, at the time,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.75,0:05:53.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't really think about\Nwhat I'm getting myself into,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.97,0:05:57.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't think about the nuances\Nof being a privileged kid from the suburbs
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.51,0:06:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,going into a maximum security prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.04,0:06:04.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But some version of it dawns on me,\Ndriving over for my first workshop,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.94,0:06:07.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,holding on to the steering wheel,\Nthinking to myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.55,0:06:12.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Who the hell do I think I am?\NWhat do I have to relate?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.38,0:06:16.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Will they take me seriously?\NWhat could I possibly teach these men?"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.77,0:06:20.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I finally get into the workshop,\Nthe inmates come in one by one.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.66,0:06:22.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are 16 of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.71,0:06:27.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We shake hands, we go around\Nand introduce ourselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.19,0:06:31.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is Marcus, who is here because\Nhe wants to write a poem to his wife
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.10,0:06:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for their anniversary\Ncoming up in a few months.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.81,0:06:37.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's Graham, who's never tried\Npoetry before but likes rap
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.41,0:06:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and is willing to give it a shot.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.60,0:06:41.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, there's Tim.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.49,0:06:46.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim leans back in his chair,\Nbut his shoulders are tense, eyes frowned,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.38,0:06:49.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he looks directly at me and says,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.87,0:06:52.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"My name is Tim,\Nand I'm just here to listen.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.93,0:06:58.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I'm curious, how much do they pay you\Nto come in and teach us like this?"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.30,0:07:02.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tell him the truth:\Nnothing, it's volunteering.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.59,0:07:06.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he nods his head and says, "OK."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.36,0:07:11.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward.\NIt's four weeks into the workshop.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.02,0:07:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Guys bring in work\Nabout all sorts of topics.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.98,0:07:17.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some write only about prison, the routine,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.36,0:07:21.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the waiting, the smell of their bunk bed.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.07,0:07:23.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some guys never write about prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.31,0:07:26.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They write about their families,\Nabout their neighborhoods,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.45,0:07:29.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the curried goat at the corner store.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.32,0:07:33.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some write about their innocence,\Nsome write about their guilt.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.98,0:07:38.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But anytime someone reads,\Neveryone else is quiet.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.13,0:07:40.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a guy in the workshop named Gabe.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.45,0:07:41.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gabe is Italian.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.99,0:07:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His heritage comes up\Nall the time in his work,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.68,0:07:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,his roots are important to him.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.14,0:07:50.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One time, after getting feedback,\Nhe looks around, and he says,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.50,0:07:54.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You know, I've never taken advice\Nfrom a non Italian before
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.58,0:07:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.93,0:07:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it turns out you guys\Nare all pretty smart."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.88,0:08:02.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see it happens slowly:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.24,0:08:07.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the walls between us start to crumble,\Nwe are not strangers anymore.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.46,0:08:08.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see in week 5,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.89,0:08:12.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the guys start to sit next to people\Nthey didn't know before the workshop.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.100,0:08:14.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or week 7,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.27,0:08:17.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they've got so much positive\Nfeedback for each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.01,0:08:18.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they've got to write it down
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.39,0:08:20.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we don't have time\Nto get to all of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.61,0:08:21.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or week 9,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.77,0:08:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they start quoting\Neach other's poems.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.10,0:08:26.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm still an outsider,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.80,0:08:32.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still a naive kid working in a prison\Nwith guys more than twice my age,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.43,0:08:35.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I appreciate the fact\Nthat they share their community with me,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.59,0:08:39.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let me be just who I am\Neven if for only a few hours a week.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.74,0:08:43.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's my first experience\Nbeing in a community of writers,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.53,0:08:45.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,knowing what it's like to have
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.03,0:08:47.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a group of people\Nthat want to make you better.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.34,0:08:50.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learn what it feels like\Nto tear some soft part of yourself,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.100,0:08:54.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,give it to a group of people\Nto gently mold it,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.46,0:08:57.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hand it back to you\Nbetter than they found it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.30,0:08:58.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a maximum security prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.78,0:09:04.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the last place I'd ever thought\NI'd learn to let my writing be vulnerable.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.27,0:09:06.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.00,0:09:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's week 11; not everyone in the workshop\Nhas brought in poetry to share.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.09,0:09:17.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim is the most thoughtful source\Nof feedback in the classroom,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.62,0:09:20.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but hasn't brought in\Nany of his own poetry.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.83,0:09:22.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know whether to press him on it.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.88,0:09:23.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In workshops like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.98,0:09:27.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's all kinds of reasons\Nguys don't bring in work,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.77,0:09:30.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from learning disabilities\Nto reading and writing issues
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.91,0:09:35.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to fear of ridicule or even violence\Noutside the classroom.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.70,0:09:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at the end of the workshop\Non the eleventh week,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.75,0:09:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim asks if we can walk together.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.35,0:09:41.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tell him "Sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.82,0:09:44.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I realize, as soon as I say that,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.62,0:09:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the only walk from the workshop\Nto the exit is through the prison yard.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.24,0:09:52.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Walking through the prison yard together\Nis a significant act.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.59,0:09:57.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our friendship in the safety\Nof the classroom is one thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.23,0:10:01.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but in the public view of the prison yard,\Nit's a risk for both of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.38,0:10:06.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, there's a danger of looking\Noverly friendly with the inmates,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.02,0:10:10.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something that the guards don't like\Nand can even shut the workshop down over.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.28,0:10:13.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For Tim, there's a risk\Nof looking like a suck-up,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.63,0:10:17.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a reputation that can have\Nvery real and damaging consequences
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.41,0:10:19.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the social structure of the prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.79,0:10:22.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we are two workshop collaborators,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.99,0:10:26.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trading ideas,\Ntrying to make each other better,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.31,0:10:30.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so we open the door and begin walking\Nacross the prison yard,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.07,0:10:31.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in step, slowly.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.77,0:10:36.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to my surprise, Tim asks me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.05,0:10:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why I haven't brought\Nany of my own poems in yet.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.75,0:10:40.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.80,0:10:44.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe, maybe it was because I was\Ninexperienced as a facilitator,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.94,0:10:47.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or maybe just a little lack\Nof self-confidence,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.15,0:10:51.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I didn't think anybody would notice.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.14,0:10:53.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tell him that I've been stuck.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.42,0:10:56.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He tells me that he is too.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.42,0:10:57.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we make a pact to each other
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.96,0:11:01.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the next week, we're going\Nto bring in a piece for each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.24,0:11:02.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even if it's short,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.29,0:11:06.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even if the other person\Nis the only person to see it.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.31,0:11:09.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember the best piece\Nof writing advice I ever got,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.14,0:11:12.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is from my ninth grade\NEnglish teacher named Arly Parker.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.85,0:11:16.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mr. Parker said that when you sit down\Nto write the first draft
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.69,0:11:20.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to not be scared but to imagine\Na head on your shoulder,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.61,0:11:22.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the head of someone who thinks
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.13,0:11:24.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are the greatest writer\Nsince Shakespeare,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.63,0:11:28.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to imagine what they would say\Nas they are reading your writing.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.56,0:11:31.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, that person is my mom.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.05,0:11:35.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,God bless her, I could draw\Nan ugly stick figure on a dirty napkin,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.27,0:11:38.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she would say,\N"This is the next big thing."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.71,0:11:40.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.41,0:11:42.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What Mr. Parker was teaching me to do
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.87,0:11:47.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was listen to that voice\Nin my head that says yes
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.07,0:11:51.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to all my crazy ideas, to all our risks.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.19,0:11:52.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then Mr. Parker said,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.40,0:11:55.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"When you sit down to revise,\Nto write your second draft,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.36,0:11:57.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to imagine\Nanother head on your shoulder
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.71,0:12:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of someone you respect,\Nbut who can give you critical feedback."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.88,0:12:04.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, it was another English teacher\Nnamed Mr. Clemson.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.71,0:12:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mr. Clemson and I\Nhad a great relationship,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.32,0:12:08.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he was tough on me.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.70,0:12:11.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I read through the piece,\NI could hear him going,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.17,0:12:12.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"This part doesn't make any sense."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.86,0:12:14.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What are you trying to say here?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.50,0:12:18.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"This line is not nearly\Nas funny as you think it is."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.57,0:12:23.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And with that, Mr. Parker taught me\Nto take risks in my first draft
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.67,0:12:26.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and see which of those risks\Nactually paid off in the second.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.46,0:12:29.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The following week,\Nat the beginning of the workshop,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.55,0:12:33.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim slid me a piece of paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.96,0:12:35.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I slid him one too.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.21,0:12:39.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the next week,\Nhe slid me two pieces of paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.30,0:12:42.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the week after that,\Nhe shared it out loud.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.16,0:12:44.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the week after that, so did I.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.51,0:12:46.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.90,0:12:49.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the final week of the workshop.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.45,0:12:53.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everyone has brought in all the pieces\Nthey worked on over the semester.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.69,0:12:56.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see a room full of smiling men,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.22,0:13:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,each with a small stack\Nof wrinkled paper in front of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.99,0:13:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim's stack is a little higher than most.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.55,0:13:09.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we go around the room, trading poems,\Npulling away our breastplates,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.21,0:13:11.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,letting the others peer in.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.83,0:13:13.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I realize,\Nhalfway through the workshop,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.92,0:13:15.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that for most of these poems,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.54,0:13:18.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that will be the only time\Nthey are shared aloud.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.28,0:13:20.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I realize also that, up to that point,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.59,0:13:23.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had only written poems to share,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.53,0:13:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for people to say "Good job,"\Nfor YouTube hits,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.49,0:13:30.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a room full of applauding hands.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.48,0:13:34.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were not writing for recognition,\Nthey were writing for the sake of writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.97,0:13:38.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to figure things out,\Nfor the promise of self-discovery.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.60,0:13:41.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim volunteers to read a poem.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.34,0:13:43.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about paper,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.24,0:13:45.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how wonderful it is,\Nin a place like prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.71,0:13:49.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to have a space where you can see\Nyour own thoughts,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.64,0:13:52.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hold them in your hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.07,0:13:54.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We share poems about all sorts of things.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.84,0:13:57.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a poem about\Nlearning how to whistle,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.52,0:13:59.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a poem about first kisses,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.73,0:14:04.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a poem about the joys\Nof a good, long, well-timed fart.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.55,0:14:06.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.33,0:14:10.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We share the dusty corners of ourselves,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.10,0:14:13.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the parts no one asks about,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.68,0:14:18.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the things that don't show up\Non a police record or an artist bio.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:19.16,0:14:22.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For that moment,\Nwe are 17 men sharing poetry,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.80,0:14:27.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not defined by our age or our past\Nbut the four walls around us.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.26,0:14:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Last year, I traveled\Nthousands of miles sharing poetry,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.86,0:14:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but some of the most\Ntalented artists I know
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.68,0:14:38.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rarely leave a prison cell.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:38.16,0:14:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's something I do not forget,\Nan unfair reality I carry with me.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.33,0:14:48.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the end of the last workshop,\NTim asks if we can walk together.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:48.65,0:14:50.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tell him "Sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.41,0:14:53.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We open the door\Nand walk across the prison yard.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.50,0:14:58.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tim asks whether I will remember him.\NI tell him "Of course."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.33,0:15:02.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He says, "Well, kick some ass\Nout there. For us."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.84,0:15:05.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I tell him, "I will try."
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.01,0:15:09.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And with that, I wanted to end\Nwith one last poem,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.59,0:15:13.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a poem I started working on\Nwhen I was working in the prisons.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:13.63,0:15:16.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you all for being here,\Nthank you all for listening,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.49,0:15:18.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's been a real, real honor.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.51,0:15:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"My mother taught me this trick,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.62,0:15:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you repeat something\Nover and over again,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.54,0:15:29.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it loses its meaning.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.56,0:15:31.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example: homework,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.39,0:15:36.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,homework, homework, homework, homework,\Nhomework, homework, homework, homework.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.24,0:15:37.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See? Nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.05,0:15:42.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Our lives,' she said, 'are the same way.'
Dialogue: 0,0:15:42.01,0:15:46.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you watch the sunset too often,\Nit just becomes six pm.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.40,0:15:50.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You make the same mistake over and over,\Nyou'll stop calling it a mistake.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:50.22,0:15:53.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you just wake up, wake up, wake up,\Nwake up, wake up, wake up,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.40,0:15:55.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one day you'll forget why.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.34,0:15:57.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Nothing is forever, ' she said.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.67,0:16:01.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My parents left each other\Nwhen I was seven years old.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.91,0:16:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before their last argument,\Nthey sent me off to the neighbor's house,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.04,0:16:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like some astronaut\Nkicked out of the shuttle.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.73,0:16:14.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I came back,\Nthere was no gravity in our home.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.18,0:16:16.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I imagined it as an accident.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.70,0:16:19.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when I left,\Nthey whispered to each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.34,0:16:20.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'I love you.'
Dialogue: 0,0:16:20.43,0:16:23.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So many times over\Nthat they forgot what it meant.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.33,0:16:27.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Family, family, family, family,\Nfamily, family, family.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.71,0:16:30.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mother taught me this trick.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:30.23,0:16:33.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you repeat something over\Nand over again, it loses its meaning.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.72,0:16:35.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This became my favorite game.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.90,0:16:38.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It made the sting of words evaporate.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.40,0:16:40.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Separation, separation, separation.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:40.24,0:16:41.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See? Nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.46,0:16:43.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Apart, apart, apart, apart.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.42,0:16:44.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See? Nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:44.84,0:16:47.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm an injured handy man now.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.17,0:16:50.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I work with words all day. Shut up.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.65,0:16:52.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know the irony.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.44,0:16:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was young, I was taught
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.32,0:16:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the trick to dominating language
Dialogue: 0,0:16:56.74,0:16:58.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was breaking it down,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:58.42,0:17:00.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,convincing it that it was worthless.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.54,0:17:04.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I love you, I love you, I love you,\NI love you, I love you, I love you.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:04.96,0:17:06.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See? Nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.15,0:17:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Soon after my parents' divorce,\NI developed a stutter.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.18,0:17:16.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fate is a cruel and efficient tutor.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.78,0:17:19.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no escape in stutter.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:19.54,0:17:22.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can feel the meaning of every word
Dialogue: 0,0:17:22.21,0:17:24.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drag itself up your throat.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:24.21,0:17:27.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,S-s-s-ss-ss-separation.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.68,0:17:31.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stutter is a cage made of mirrors.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:31.20,0:17:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every 'What did you say?',\Nevery 'Just take your time, '
Dialogue: 0,0:17:34.52,0:17:36.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,every 'Come on, kid. Spit it out!'
Dialogue: 0,0:17:36.76,0:17:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a glaring reflection\Nof an existence you cannot escape.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:40.90,0:17:44.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every awful moment trips\Nover its own announcement
Dialogue: 0,0:17:44.00,0:17:46.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,again and again and again
Dialogue: 0,0:17:46.05,0:17:49.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until it just hangs there\Nin the center of the room
Dialogue: 0,0:17:49.29,0:17:52.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as if what you had to say\Nhad no gravity at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:52.72,0:17:58.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mom, Dad, I'm not wasteful\Nof my words any more.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:58.47,0:18:03.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even now, after hundreds of hours\Npracticing away my stutter,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:03.05,0:18:07.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still feel the claw of meaning\Nin the bottom of my throat.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:07.40,0:18:08.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Listen to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.91,0:18:11.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've heard that even in space
Dialogue: 0,0:18:11.73,0:18:17.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can hear the scratch\Nof an I-I-I-I-I-I-I love you."
Dialogue: 0,0:18:18.100,0:18:20.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you all very much.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:20.45,0:18:21.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)