I have probably watched this 20 times over the last few years and I weep every time.

"last night i dreamt i was little again i could hear back then but the silence in my house was deafening" that has to be one of the most intriguing things ive ever heard

love this guys delivery in every poem he does, thats what makes this poet so damn good

it's so NICE to see something about deafness so mainstreamed like this. i'm studying to be an interpreter and i'm thankful for people like him.

This is one of best poems I have heard yet. All other poets... Step up your game!

And I mean this in the most poetic sense, what a baller.

As an aspiring English major I am totally in awe of Rives. He nailed the concept of voice and tone, in which case vocalizing is irrelevant more times than not. He is brilliant and I wish I could attend a deaf poetry session; their voice rings loud and clear. In no case does having a voice determine the ability to have one, which Rives has demonstrated perfectly. It was a pleasure to watch, listen, and view. Thank you.

His poetry almost always makes me want to cry. I love poets who are able to do that.

I don't know how many times I've watched this and it still makes my eyes water.

i'm in love with the ending. its so true that even if you dont have an audible voice, you still are able to express things through your "voice"

that last part is what really got me....powerful

rives is incredible. gives me chills:)

makes me cry, and smile, and wonder....outstanding! I could watch this a million times

i love the part where he compares the poems of the deaf kids to the jokes of the comics'... like how some ignore the differences, mention, or only talk about them. Beautiful oh and "can you hear me now" is funny as hell!!!

Brilliant. Simply Brilliant, though there is very little that one could describe as simple in this jam. Truly inspiring, and I find myself with a renewed wonder for the english language.

"Homework...is bullshit...and inspires out of me nothing but...vomit..." LOL GENIUS!!

This is the greatest tribute ever to the ABILITY in people with a DISability. Aint the ADAPTability cool......these are high schoolers who don't pass notes they just sign shit behind your back. Notes can be confiscated sign language out of teacher's line of vision.........AMAZING!!!

words like goosebumps ,daydreams, giraffes...sticky icki icki. love this nigga man!

That's it. I need to get this series on DVD or something. These poets are fucking brilliant~

i literally tear at this. Deep poetry.

i had to clap sitting at home watching this...i was amazed

That was my favorite poem. I love the end. Its very original. Oh man the ending moved me.

This is so great. What a wonderful person.

How could somebody NOT like this poem though?

hollyyyyyy shhhiiiii!!! woooww . speechless

"I was born as deaf and as quiet as a starfish but if I had been born a man I would pray to the Lord above every night at the top of my fucking lungs just to thank him for giving me voice." PERFECT ENDING

I love this poem, love it.

Amazing, you do not need speech, in order to have your own voice. He seperates the literal meaning and figurative meaning of "having your own voice". Brilliant.

absoluetly amazing. i love this guy. deffinitly my favorite.

I'm nearing tears... wow

i loved it through and through!!!

Still gives me chills

I forgot how beautiful this poem was

That last part really touched me i mean really did

That was...just sick. Amazing. Stunning. Loved it.

the ending did it for me amazzing

rives ans shihan are my favourite poets.

"The silence in my house was deafening." WOW!!

"they just sign it behind your back" lol this is awesome.

MAN ID LOVE TO GO TO ONE OF HIS SHOWS!

that was a pure work of genuis!!

oh shet brought tears to my eyes as well, not ashamed to admit it aswell.

Dude got me too! Very moving stuff.

Talant. I have goose-bumps.

I LOVE def poetry!

Funny, sad, flowing, inspiring, poetic, artistic, meaningful...

That is very touchin!!! Hott Fire

The last line got me. in a good way.

im stalking this man...trying to find all his poems...he's awesomee!!

that was really really really outstanding

This is incredible. So genius, so passionate...

THAT WAS FREAKIN AMAZING!

this is so good man

Simply Amazing

such conviction on his passion makes me respect him

wow...a lot of people making comments on stuff they know nothing about. yes, that's the sign for bullshit. no, all sign language is NOT universal. Every country has it's own. Learn up. But you all are right...this man is amazing.

gorgeous.

I'm seriously feelin this

Awesome Rives, Awesome needed message.

Amazing...absolutely

The greatest fucking poem that I ever heard

even if he doesnt know how to sign, its still just as meaningful to me

This was good. Have to follow the content.

*signs "beautiful starfish"* and yes, I actually know how to sign both of those words.... My friend's sister was born with down syndrome, so there was a chance that she would be unable to speak, so we all learned sign language, I suggest that all people learn it... makes talking through glass so much easier. Now that I have ranted... Great performance, can't wait to see more!

i loved it, i kinda teared up lol

Wheeeeew. The end was amazing. And so true.

c'est fantastique

that was amazing

wow... he is an inspiration...

i learned some ISL -irish sign language .. its realy cool.. so now i can be walking down town with some of my friends.. and went i see sally i can say hello to her,, and tell her the person next to me is REALLY boaring.. do you want to go make out?! lol!!!

Love love love

beautiful and funny. Brilliant.

41 people heard this, but didn't listen.

That is powerful.

Wow, this is amazing!

that was awesome

Can you hear me now? NO!!! hha okay this was dope

he is simlpy amazing. a genius at his best!

Raw shit. Loved it

that was a treat !

AWESOME!!!!!

would be great if this were subtitled for our Deaf friends

this guy is the man

Wow. That was a really good piece, Rives is typically always good but...that was just kickass!

Freakin brilliant.

this is awesome =D -Anthony Moran

amen!!! to that

Love everything this guy does. Check him out on TED. Only wish I could find more.

@xenophile2 "I work some times at a school for deaf kids. We put on poetry readings and poetry slams...we call them 'Deaf poetry Jams'. One poets poem goes, 'The night we met so many moons shine down on us so bright, I though hey maybe those moons have mistaken us for their gods.' Another poets poem goes ' I I I Me Me Me My My My Doesn't anyone tell a story anymore?' And another poets poem goes

wow! so amazin

Genius very nice poem

I liked it

Yo that was some shit. Like i love def jam poetry and i have never seen or heard any thing like that. That was fucking incredible.

Beautiful and funny

Cool I can now say "Bullshit" in sign language. Rives Rocks!!

i really wish someone would take this video and add captions. it would be nice to share with my deaf teacher...

I'm fluent in ASL, many of those signs are ASL signs, and it's fine if some signs aren't real because deaf people only communicate half with their hands. its 50% hands, 35% facial expression and 15% lip reading. :)

love

i cried....

There are subtitles! At the bottom right of the screen were it says "CC," you can select subtitles. :)