For The Life of Me by TAYLOR MALI

[MsJamieJams]

That was haunting... I have goosebumps and I feel such sadness, yet humour at this; what a roller-coaster this poem is. Genius, sir.

[iluvmysk8erboi26]

Beautiful poem. The letter part reminded me of that movie where that mom kept 365 letter from her daughter that were sent to her daughter from her boyfriend..

[Arixzone]

@iluvmysk8erboi26 The Notebook

[MsJamieJams]

@Arixzone P.S. I Love You, actually. :P

[ghjohns]

Then again, maybe schools in South Carolina just suck....

Anyway... again. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[ghjohns]

that I probably would have watched since then anyway, because I've been out of school since '05 investing all of my time on being entertained. This rant does have a point though. I just wanted to thank you more sincerely than I have ever thanked a person in my life. For creating these "portals" for we who have had minimal guidance to explore our minds. I can say with complete confidence and certainty that in the past 2 hrs on youtube you have "learned" me more than any and all teachers before.

[ghjohns]

The pack of smokes on my desk right now is the last one that will ever be there, and that I promise to this video. Im the type that has always crunched numbers in my head, and I've already forgotten formulas learned in math classes. English teachers never taught me a single word. They just told me what categories they fell under. I failed science classes due to apathy and a loose upraising, and I hate spanish. 5 semesters of drama with nothing gained except the experience of watching movies

[askbhink]

I lost my brother to suicide 34 years ago and it still feels so raw. This was beautiful and heartbreaking and I understand it completely.

[dance4lifebitchez]

It's unfathomable to me, how this can strike so many of us soo deeply.. Not that it's wrong to feel the emotions with this, but the fact that so many people feel this way in life.. Including myself. Great work Mr.Mali.

[LadyeXo]

I'm cheating.

[Shivierie]

3 people didn't believe "squinters" was an actual word.

This may be my favorite thing. Ever. So. F*cking. Amazing.

[QuantumProphet]

@Shivierie someobody tell peter that bird is not the word......Squinters is the word

[detroit2g]

WOW!

deep.....

is this autobiographical?

[TheStbb]

@detroit2g yes.

[TheStbb]

@detroit2g yes.

[detroit2g]

WOW!

deep.....

[MichaelBerthelsen]

Mr. Mali

I found you on TED, loved your poetry, and so came in search of more, never expecting to find this. I lost one of my most beloved friends less than two months ago, suicide. It was beautiful to hear this poem, yet I do not feel sad, merely content in a strange sort of way...

Thank you...

[houndoom1234]

BAWWWW lol BAWWW

[theaviator296]

I probably watch this at least twice a day. Thank you.

[MrSirTeach]

aw.

[ThaGearOfWar]

Wow, this is too good.

[lightsonme]

i like your poetry!

[lavantantthom]

3 people were crying too hard to see that they had pressed the wrong button

[3dogsdesert]

Having lost my husband of 16 years at the "oh my he was soooo young" age of 43, every word Mr. Mali says echoes in my heart. I too, still wait for the letter, a sign, a padded envelope.

[amour777]

I began this because it was Mr. Mali and I love Mr. Mali's work. Shortly into it I decided I would not like it, but that I would continue watching. And then I fell in love with the heart break.

[gilalion]

holy shit that was good

[gilalion]

"voice like a driveway" ftw

[miltonthedragon]

holy shit. it's 12:34.

[Retrospective18]

In all of his poems there is always one line that really gets me... in this it's "Although I still think you cheated". This man is beautiful and I would like to thank him for sharing himself with us.

[liltingzephyr]

"It said 12:34. 1, 2, 3, 4. The magic minute of childhood."

[monkaboy]

Once again, you leave me utterly speechless.

[eterpage]

Who disliked this? Must be some kids playing around. *extra like*

[lystmilitary91]

i dont get this poem, really what is he saying.

[zfortyounce]

@lystmilitary91 Watch his poem called Entire Act of Sorrow then watch this one again. I think you will understand then. Peace.

[vgcutepuppy]

i soo want to fuck him just because of his voice....

[progre55]

huuuge respect!

[eerised227]

whoa

[Roselynde]

This and "What Teachers Make" make me cry EVERY TIME. And yet I watch them, over and over and over again.

[McStringz]

Taylor you are phenomenal. You really hook people into your stories by capturing their imagination. You draw a vivid picture with words. I find it beyond amazing. You are my current favorite poet due to your intellect and profoundness. I would like to see some more crazy analogies. Keep it up brotha.

[chelsiewillow]

so sad. so sweet

[meeganmegan]

oh mr mali i wish you knew how much this spoke to me 

[pealovesq]

literally in tears ... and that speaks volumes - as I thought I'd lost the ability to be moved by something other than my own self-pity.

thank you, Mr. Mali - for making me feel... and for forcing me to face (and admit to) the self absorbed bullshit that I throw out in sound-bites - that my husband must bear, accept and pray never comes to fruition.

[TheLizardLass]

I'm in the kitchen, engaged in a combination of washing dishes and making yogurt, listing to a random selection of readings by this amazing poet I just became aware of . . . and suddenly I'm in tears, and needing to make a comment. But I'm not sure what to say.

[splchk]

I'm actually crying right now. It's bittersweet to see the other side, instead of just the one staring down the barrel. Thank you Taylor, I needed that. I can't stop crying now, but my life has been changed. Thank you.

[tressaartistry]

I did get a note.... I've often thought it would be easier without it because i can't argue with words on a page once the writer has left.

[out2of2this2world]

I wish I could give you a hug

[LyRiKeL06]

this dude is amazing ima be a poet like that...

[thedarkhands]

It is hard for me to hear the poems that he has written about suicide....when I listen to it, as self-obsorbed as this may sound (and I appologise in advance if it does sound so), I can't help if some of the same thoughts have run through my lover's mind, after a time when I've tried to do the same thing that this woman did in Mr. Mali's tales. Taylor Mali is a wonderful story teller. His poems have no need to rhyme, and they take you so far. It is a shame there aren't many people like him.

[Poplopo]

The poems he writes about this woman are the most beautiful poems I've ever heard or read...

[SiddifOnline]

That was really moving and amazing as someone who has witness and experienced the effects of depression I have to say you got it spot on

[bankybabes]

This is amazing. Thats really all I can say, this is amazing.

[Impalu]

I love the emotion you put in your poetry.

You are fantastic.

[cobainbride]

stunning...

<3

[PrincessJJ71]

Is this his wife that he is speaking of? It is too, too sad.

[Mafia1551]

this is so sad. you have great poems

[thecharredremain]

Oh my god, that's almost too much

[Koribaby1]

I want to cry everytime I hear this. ='[

[TheR3sistanc3]

Amazing. I watch this everyday.

[LoveD00m]

something something, words are useless now. <3

[Ghostsrain]

Thank you Mr. Mali

[BakaPyros]

You've stolen my emotions and taken them on a wild rollar coaster ride of ups and downs... I'm not sue if I want them back.

[C0wT1pp3r]

Go watch "The The Impotence of Proofreading" and "Speak with Conviction." :)

(I wonder who'll get this...)

[BakaPyros]

I have seen both of them. :D I've watched everything of his posted on youtube. It's all brilliant, but this one remains my favorite.

[junecog]

@C0wT1pp3r :D He came to our school today and talked the "Miracle Workers", "What Teachers Make", and "Speak with Conviction :)

[noestabien]

holy shit. I don't really know what else to say. powerful...

[PoeticLove11]

wow...one of my favorites from him.

[Tiffxrawr]

i always pointed out 12:34!!!!

[baller04920]

It's only plagiarizing if you claim it as your own work. I think that qoute is a well used one, especially when seeing a video of such marvel as this one.

[Brooque613]

I don't think there is anything I could write here that could equal the emotion I felt after watching this.

To plagiarize from those before me (although, if it's many, isn't it just research?):

"Wow...that is all I can think to say."

And sometime in life I hope to attain "the same mastery of words you've managed to."

Poetry has always been a big part of my life, but yours makes mine feel like nursery rhymes.

Wow. Just wow.

[RobotsandMonstersx]

Agreed.

[mfl728]

@Brooque613 "Poetry has always been a big part of my life, but yours makes mine feel like nursery rhymes.".... perfect words.

[elfflower1989]

You made me laugh and now you've made me want to cry and I practically want to worship you. I'm majoring in English too and I can only hope that when I'm done with it all, I can come out of it with the same mastery of words you've managed to attain <3

[Rythmnsoul2]

wow....that is all i can think to say.

[anpanmanrocks]

thanks for sharing this.

[GM4L]

that was, not to sound stoned, deep

[tkactor]

Wow. Just... wow.

[huckpuppie84]

Mr Mali, you're an inspiration!  You have a great sense and balance of wit and humour!

[Liz1004]

So sad... so beautiful...

Does anyone know where to get a copy of the text? (I tried Mali's own website, but the links don't work anymore.) I'd appreciate any info. Thanks!

[shethingsd]

Unexpected and moving...and I think Misterate, we can remember him as great right now!

[Misterate]

Honestly...you will be remembered as a great some day.

[jholt89]

The next time I get to the city I'm going to the Bowery.

[kmac08attack12]

incredible

[KhannKlan]

This man is a great poet. Beautiful.

[grnlfe01]

its amazing how he can turn such tradgedy into brilliantly crafted poetry