Apology to My Unborn by Bassey Ikpi (Def Poetry Jam)

[BecaDiddles206]

bless you and your family. xoxo

[NeoApha]

Just what i needed right now to start fell in touch with poetry again... Thanks for sharing!

[Makelovetome1]

This Poem Makes Me Want A Child, It's A beautiful Thing, Found Beauty In This Poem :) Thanks

[Hotflows88]

Godbless you

[utoobyousirname]

THANK YOU, BASSEY!!! You are the REAL strong Black woman! NEVER let the HATERS stop you! Love ya&that (without a doubt) BEAUTIFUL baby boy of yours! No woman is more beautiful or fierce, than when she is defending her child.

[simonsin666]

beautiful

[k910ou9i]

Your baby belly was sooo cute!!! >.<



[mrzpunkin]

OH, iloveee this !!!

saw it on Tumblr first !

[rubamann]

Beautiful poem indeed

[LNFKillaTV]

i wish i could appear on here to do my poetry. but u definitely are great at wut u do. loved it

[Akosuaification]

I love this :) From one mommy to another, it brought tears to my eyes.

[2006kcl]

Bassey, you are the bomb.. beautiful woman and beautiful bump there. I had a miscarriage a few years ago and cannot seem to get past the hurt and this poem makes me think of my little girl and hope she is having fun up in Heaven. thank you for writing something that my heart found so hard to say without trembling and breaking all over again. x

[ready2step]

Beautiful! 

[klcoltrane]

Beautiful! I just want to know who had the sleepless nights once he was born. :)

[roxieg1]

You are so beautiful, I love this poem. I think a lot of women can relate

[osahju914]

go head. keep it up! you got such a unique way with words.

[MrsMarsh919]

Beautiful!



[samsarahmail]

Sweetness! I send peace, from my Mother's heart , to yours...

[LIFE478]

i will print these words and frame it up...place it in my childs room when i av my first child......someday

[bananaberrycupcake]

This is one of my favorite poems. I get chills every time I listen to it!

[kimisana1]

that was too beautifull.............!!! are u calabar or akwa ibom?

[DemonstrativeRanD]

So beautiful! :) I really enjoyed this beautiful piece of spoken word!

[justwatchintv]

{snap snap snap} speak those words, i absolutely loved it

[stupidblog2]

Im 13 this Poem Has inspired me to start writing poetry. Thank You For Sharing. You Are gorgeous And your Poem is just as Beautiful.

[artistniknicholson]

you are so beautiful, and so is this poem. you were not too big for this dress, this is what motherhood looks like. in fact you were smaller than most expecting. great words... love this poem, it was, is so powerful. i want, hope and pray for the same things for my seeds to come. think it, speak it, live it and so shall it be. love and light

[quisedebonair]

this was amazing!

[abrahamrhoffman]

Thank you so much for your poetry. It is wonderful.

[MsShae73]

this is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Blessings to you and yours Ms Ikpi.

[datpoetgurl]

you were beautiful!



[SovereignOfSpice]

Im approx. 6 months pregnant now, and this poem never sounded as beautiful as it does to me now, this morning. Thank you.

[roxysoadiktiv]

beautiful, i also want my son to be fearless and i wish there was a bigger love than the biggest love in the world so i could give it to him..

[TheEmpressMama]

As a mother-to-be I am so moved by this poem, it sums up EXACTLY how I'm feeling right now. Thank you so much for sharing your words :-)

[smilezstayfly]

before i was even preggo,I loved this poem and now im due and Oct and I still love this poem,I feel every word :)

[AbengConsciousPen]

So beautiful a sister. I do not know the comment made, but I want to say One Love and that you are the epitome of motherhood, womanhood. My inherent inclination is to protect. Love your word and your poise in inspiring. Well done

[F0rAllManKind]

Outstanding. So much honesty and sincerity in your words. You were able to put into words what a lot of mothers wish they could emote as they look down at their bulging stomachs wondering if this child will even.. just look like... them.

[kazigma]

OMG u are so dreamy! ur words fly like a melody! great! much appreciated!

[thejarz]

I am so sorry such miserable people could say such horrible things to a soul.

[babygirlfaisa]

@Basseyworld ahhhh! i love it! n your are beautiful, wish u n your son the best!

[Basseyworld]

I had to block someone from my page for the first time ever. I appreciate the lovely comments and even the ones who didn't like the poem but what WON"T Happen is people wishing death on me or my son. I don't care who you are.

[naijagirl2009]

@Basseyworld That's crazy!!!

[naijagirl2009]

@Basseyworld by the way i almost cried. I was surrounded by ppl so i held back my tears.

[Artystyque]

@Basseyworld Oh my goodness, I thought is was wonderful and I love the similes and light usage of metaphors. The passion is evident. Who would wish harm..... Stay strong and beautiful for your family...

[Cynic4Ezra]

@Basseyworld Its so hard to believe that people are really like that. you'd think that they'd just move on if they were so offended they even thought such things.

[DatGheexBallerBabiee]

@Basseyworld No weapon formed against you shall prosper against you or your son or anyone you know and love for that matter. God bless, stay blessed. Alllll Love <3 .

[bunnyblitz85]

@Basseyworld im sorry any one would do that...i mean your poem is beautiful i have watched multiple times

[RLRussell22]

@basseyworld your welcome love....are you published?

[RLRussell22]

still I think of you as possible....what that line right there wooooooooooooo!

[Basseyworld]

@RLRussell22 Thank you. 

[MaryanneRafka]

You're incredible! :)

[Basseyworld]

@MaryanneRafka Thank you. So are you! :)

[kakashomarufan]

This is very beautiful.Ffor the longest time I have been trying to find this whole episode so that I could find the video of the man that went before you. Does anyone know his name so that I can look it up?

[Basseyworld]

@kakashomarufan His name is Eirik Ott Also Known As The Wussy Boy. GOogle him. He's great.

[starbuck5505]

this is truly beautiful...

[mariaalexa3890]

is this program on anymore? if not they should bring it back.

[blueangel4lfe]

r u nigerian..akwa ibom?

[Basseyworld]

@blueangel4lfe Nigerian but Cross River State.

[blueangel4lfe]

@Basseyworld oh ok ..yayyy im good lol knew yu were a naija gyal

[toretsblaby]

Bassey u r lovely. Nice poem

[Basseyworld]

@toretsblaby Thank you.



[jpjeanbaptiste]

Ho ahead my sister, you look beautiful.

[shana25100]

you go girl

[Oscarallknowing]

Hahahaha !!  You apologize about your dress !?!?!??!?! You would still be as beautiful in a canvas sack !!!!

[devore504]

I am sorry but to be on bed rest and then to go just to be on tv is just wrong u could have killed your baby cause u being stupid

[aeedeeaeeable]

@devore504 she was 7 MONTHS pregnant. Did you not get that part???

[devore504]

@aeedeeaeeable but there was a reason for her to be on bed rest so even at 7 months not staying on bed rest could have killed her baby

[Basseyworld]

@devore504 You must be my doctor! I'm glad you have it all figured out.

[devore504]

@Basseyworld ummmmmmm it just pisses me off that my sister did everything her doctor told her and out of 4 babies can only hold one you got up to do a poem that wasn't even all that different world by that couple was much better but u got up and did it anyway and get to hold your baby and kiss it and love it when u didn't love it enugh to not get on stage for one night

[Basseyworld]

@devore504 With all due respect to your sister and her loss, her medical history has nothing to do with mine. And you're being presumptuous and rude. You dont' know a thing about me or my child or my health. I'm sorry the fact that I didn't die pisses you off so much but again you don't know anything about me or my health. I suggest you just stay off my page.

[jaye61970]

@devore504 You are a horrible person. I don't care if you are reacting out of pain for your sister's situation, it is horrible to suggest that because Bassey got onstage and recited a 3 MINUTE POEM she didn't/doesn't love her child. That poem was a beautiful tribute to the child you claim she doesn't love. For you to come on here and suggest otherwise or to wish harm to her or her baby is just...there are no words.

[Keelahlee]

@devore504 Are you also mad at every other mother that managed to bring a healthy baby into the world? You must have a LOT of anger inside. Being pregnant is part of life, it doesn't mean lying in bed for 9 months. Reciting a poem is hardly comparible to jumping out of a plane. It was beautiful, plain and simple. You need to look deep within yourself and work on your insecurities without wishing pain on other people who are just trying to express themselves.

[blackbelt4lyfe]

@devore504 Funny twice I've seen you insult pregnant women on def poetry jam simply for being pregnant! for living their lives as adult women. But your comments do not deserve the attention they are getting simply due to the negativity you bring. This poem was beautiful and she is beautiful and I'm sure her son is beautiful. Allow these women to enjoy the praise of their powerful words.

[Basseyworld]

@aeedeeaeeable I love how he/she thinks they know my entire medical history based on one throw away line. Standing on stage for 3 minutes didn't put anybody or anything in danger. People are a trip.

Thanks for the comment though. :) 

[Basseyworld]

@devore504 Yes. That's exactly what happened. I wanted my baby to DIE just so I could be on TV. Wow. You really figured it out. Tell me what I"m thinking now!

[robinatorandshannino]

omg this is beautiful i had tingles down my spine the whole time... and my heart was heavy... but omg amazing

[epicmcflyy]

this is amazing

[MegaMadcow]

I actually love her dress... WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR... Only a woman can give birth.. and YOU MY LADY ARE BEAUTY!

[RobChobs]

Any Son would be proud to have her for a Mother!

[anointed33]

The dress was necessary. Since the poem was about your child, the dress was the highlighter.

[Basseyworld]

@anointed33 LOL! Cute.

[coolbeans871]

Nice poem! And you had those heels on? Props. :)

[TheLuvnsumchoc]

36 people don't under stand

[NicoleSaVoy]

nice poem....i wrote my unborns poems and im 17 and have no plans in having a baby till 6yrs.

[ClickHerex17]

7 months in heels??

i was three monthsand my feet were the size in baloons!!

*this is beautiful i wrote one like this*

[90sBabyNERD]

She came to my school for Poetry after school..

[rico1980ish]

wow! so deep.

[4islandbeauty]

That was beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes!!

[MissMarie567]

Bassey...you looked gorgeous!!!! And the fact that yhou went from the hospital to the stage to bedrest...GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!

[WesMoran]

Bassey you look beautiful girl...and ya words are wonderful.

[cheapndchic]

she's gorgeous!

1.33-1.37 just look at her pose, her bodylanguage, her hands, the way her beautiful belly says it all.

for me those seconds defines her words.

all blessings.

[Basseyworld]

@cheapndchic So sweet. Thank you.

[IsenhourPig]

she is ready to burst! love it

[G0LDENL0VEMUSIC]

LOL ,, YOU LOOK GREAT IN THE DRESS !

AND EVERYONE SHOULD EMBRACE THEIR KIDS MORE , RESPECT THEM , LOVE THEM , APPRECIATE THEM , LIKE THIS . EVEN BEFORE THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD !

[ladyphat85]

beautiful! and u looked beautiful!

[jazzurrah]

Happy Birthday Boogie! :')

[36dprince]

34 people have no souls.

[tamara8121]

@36dprince make that 36 - wtf?! This woman is, and her words are, beautiful.

[Basseyworld]

@tamara8121 LOL! I don't mean to be arrogant but I'm like "Dislike" really? I understand not liking it but dislike seems like "I HATE IT AND I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW!" I appreciate the kindness though. Thank you.

[tamara8121]

@Basseyworld I didn't "dislike" this video. Actually I loved it a lot. I'm not sure how you got "I hate it and I want the world to know!" out of my reply to that other comment. The other comment said "34 people have no souls" my reply was "make that 36 [people who have no souls because at that time 36 people had disliked the video]." I was not one of those 36 people. again, I think both you, and your words, are beautiful; and I've been enjoying a number of your videos.

[Basseyworld]

@tamara8121 Sweetie, I was just joking! I was talking about the dislikes not you. I knew you didn't. I mean, I don't mind if people dislike what I do, I was just joking off your comment. I swear I wasn't directing it towards you. My weird sense of humor does not translate to Youtube. I"m much funnier on twitter.

[tamara8121]

@Basseyworld Bahaha! I was totally feeling so bad about that all weekend! LMFAO!!!!

[Basseyworld]

@36dprince LMAO! 

[sugamama564]

I nearly cried!

[bonitaapplebum02]

Beautiful!!!

[RobDaBank90]

dammmm .... i got no words...now thats sumthing to listen to lol

[reserectcc]

love it

[DateWithFred]

0:31 lol the bubble there

[Latroyia21]

brave and amazing

[thanksalot]

You are absolutely beautiful. You are a brave woman wearing that dress-- and you look amazing! Your words are more brave and beautiful. I admire your strength.

[simplytrinabean]

i love this

[woahneaax3]

how do you get into these poetry things ?

[Sxeybodygirlz]

Gahhh you are amazing

[1micah4]

definition of a strong african american woman

[othepoet]

I have nothing to say but, "Thank you for sharing your gift with the world."

[thefriqueisin]

Im not sure whether you are beautiful woman because of your physical beauty or your poetry! You go girl! It was this video that made me start writing!

[AdamIntellectual7]

no the dress looked beautiful (:

[cocokisses787]

you look beautiful...the dress looks good on you

[NARCISSISM777]

Beautiful!!!!

[lynsmith1]

Awesome and totally Creative and thought out! A Real Poet!!!

[loydbank33]

I want my son to be like what she wants hers to be. Unafraid to fight for what you believe. And I don't want him to grow up thinking that manhood is acting and being tough when isn't it at all.

[WorldOfSnakes]

@loydbank33 Just give him lots of love from birth till even when he's grown up, and he'll be a good person. You also gotta be firm and correct him when he does wrong. Teach him, be firm but fair. So love + teaching = he'll be a good person.

[Basseyworld]

@loydbank33 That's how I'm raising my son. Thank you for the comment.

[stads24]

So beautiful. Your worries that you won't be enough for your baby, that you are still have so much work to do on your own journey, simply speak to the amount of love that you have in your heart.

[TheAnonyte]

Despite the dress and the bump (or maybe because of them) you are luminous, pulchritudinous even.

Your words are very moving. I'm sure this clip will embarrass your child one day when you tell it (and it understands) that she/he was inside you at that moment... hah! I know I would cringe if my mom had footage of me in her tummy. You both have things in common because you both did great things while pregnant so kudos for that.

[breahnaniquel]

this genuinely just touched me. simply and purely beautiful. you are great at expressing the things you think and feel. you make paintings with your words.

[mybeautyisblack]

nice ...

[troubleshooter1900]

Stop tripping with the way you look on the performance beautiful. You ripped it and looked amazing doing so. I pray when my fiance get pregnant by ME, that she look half as Goddessly, lol. And I hope I get some sleep too, lol. Bless and congrats on the life form you get to mold. Bless.

[moviefreak91]

So beautiful. Moved me to tears. Your beautiful words often do.

[MzAsia06]

Dont appologize for what you are, which is beautiful you are an inspiraton to us all.... i love you and jah bless!

[crewemiller21]

much love from britian x ... " i need your possbility like i need a night worth sleeping 4" a mother 2 her son ...beautyful

[pkmelody3]

Nija Gurl

[Jabzeephibee]

7 months pregnant and she sashays off stage! 3 snaps in a circle boo! lol...Your words were beautiful

[Nappilocs]

The dress looked beautiful on you! loved the poem!

[natzA1983]

stunning.absolutely stunning.im speechless.God Bless

[wordlover707]

What an amazing string of words... So much emotion expressed so beautifully. This poem definitely touched me.

[kaiekaie]

girl stop it, u looked good in this dress!

[imaginario26]

Simply beautiful!! You are an amazing poet!

[81215]

Thank you for that. Your words mean so much to me. I grew up with out a father and I know this is from a mother to her unborn but your words transcend that. I thank you for the brilliant light your words have emblazoned on my heart, soul and mind.

[LaLaA7x14]

:) You are an amazing poet. and Very beautiful if I might add :D

[MrChange31]

Two thumbs up!!!

[lovelyjubly27]

This is the first time I have heard one of your poems and I loved it we need more woman like you out here our children are suffering!!!!

[vapid1000]

You look great in this dress...the style, the color and fit. It was and is perfect! No doubt.

[ihearttom67]

this is an amazing poem. and you are wearing heels!! oh man. i love your poetry and I hope one day I'll be able to go up on that stage.

[ihearttom67]

this is an amazing poem. and you are wearing heels!! oh man. i love your poetry and I hope one day I'll be able to go up on that stage. 

[eartdaflo]

keep it up

[youthfulzeal23]

I am sitting in my office in Montego Bay Jamaica. a 23 year old young professional male who grew up in da ghetto and slowly but surely overcoming the odds...its words like these that i tuck away in my heart and repeat them..constantly..monotonously­...slowly...to build the drive within me to continue cus i know my brothers and sisters are depending on me..there brother and father in one........

thank you for feeding me your courage!!

[livealittleforlove]

your words are beautiful. so are you.

[doniab84]

I am French and love poetry and let me tell you...this is beau-ti-ful. thanks so much for sharing your talent with People...:-) best wishes.

[me4monty]

I have loved your poetry since before I leanred the truth of them. Since before i learned the truth of me, your words are as radient as your voice, your poetry is a ray of sunlight. Every time i hear your words i write. theres nothing more i can say.

[beautyliedead]

I was watching this as someone I know is getting packed up to give birth to their daughter and tears came to my eyes. That was absolutely beautiful!

[mama2one1]

This is the translation of the rapid heartbeats in every soon to be mother's chest. And the verbs of tears cried when those same "babies" leave the nest for their own separate lives. Girl, I am feeling what you do!

[Laurraine3]

Wow. That was b-e-a-utiful. :)

[tuaprincessa]

stop writing all over the screen you are beautiful, it was beautiful..enjoy it :)

[davegrohlsbitch]

Bassey, this moved me to tears,being a mother myself , i wish i'd thought to write words as beautiful as these while pregnant ..Love and light to you and your family...Blessings always and thank you for sharing xxxx

[mauritiusbleu]

u look beautiful... i love your strength

[Beautifulpoet12]

Wow! :-) you're a great and beautiful black woman! I too am a poet, but my poems aren't anything as prolific as yours!!!

I miss Def Poetry :-(

much love

[MSHAZELBROWN7]

[tear]

[yararu]

Oh my GOD this is wonderful and so charming. Not to be misogynistic but I find that women always have the same subjects and flows but this is a unique and incredibly well delivered poem. SO FANTASTIC!

[JayJacked]

Absolutely perfect. It moved me to tears. Made me think of everything I feel for my son. Thank you for your beautiful art. Much love and appreciation....

[LKerra1]

congratulations on your son

your words are beautiful

I'm touched.

Beautiful dress on you as well.

[TheTinkle]

This picture of facing the sunrise from its wrong side has been on my mind ever since I saw this video for the first time, probably many months ago. It is so aptly put. I too was living nightly days only with metaphoriacally reversed sunbeams. Thank you for giving it word so fittingly.

[latiness]

This has to be my favorite def poem. What did she think when she was writing it? I wonder what emotions she was feeling?

[mrsbooty09]

this poem is beautiful

[idiotmcstupidface]

absolutely beautiful, you must be a wonderful mother!