"This Ones For My Generation"

I decided to stray from Shane Koyczan because this spoken word poem grasped my attention immediately.Especially since test scores hold so much value to us, the only way that schools judge us is based on scores on a test. Colleges only accept us based on SAT scores, the only way I could graduate High School is if I passed the PSSA, and in order to be certain majors, such as Education, you need to pass the PAPA, it varies based on state. I find this strange because when I took teaching classes we are taught not to base grades on testing students because some may not test well and it doesn't always show whether or not they are retaining knowledge, but as a society we are constantly giving people test. I love that this young man, Suli Breaks, confronted such a big issue and stood up for what he believed in. This was in the U.K and to have such an impact on me, an American, because we face the same struggles here, however I don't hear anyone here in the U.S making a spoken word poem about how unfair our education system is. At least I haven't come across one yet.

"When This World Knocks on Your Door Clutch the Knob and Open On Up"

I was confused at first because it started with beat boxing and Shane Koyczan seems more like a piano or violin background. I liked that some aspects of the poem was shared with the other poets, it left more of an impact for those that poem was for. However, I was confused with the back and forth between them all, it also gave me a sense of anxiety because I couldn't understand what was going on, I feel like there where too many poets sharing a mic. It definitely got more chaotic towards the end, I feel like Shane Koyczan wasn't himself in this poem, it felt angry and rushed through, as if he was trying to make it fit with everything else that was going on. I didn't really like this poem very much, I don't feel like it fit with the rest of his work.

"I'm the World's Greatest Overwieght Lover"

The tone of this poem with the piano and girl in the beginning made me feel like I should have a box of tissues ready because this is going to a sad one. He talked a lot about his grandmother in this beginning, it made me smile and remember the love I have for my own grandmother, even though she has passed away. "What you got is all you need" it's true when you think about it because if you needed more then you wouldn't be able to live without it. Halfway through when the music started picking up and his mood started to change, his voice made me feel more uplifted and made me think the sad part where over. "The only reason they think their beautiful, is the same reason they think you're not" which is true when i think about it. The only reason people think they look better than you is when they think that have better eyes than you, better smile than you or even a better body than you, but at the sametimes that's those are the same aspects that make someone beautiful, after all "every great man is unique" which makes every great man beautiful.

"Compassion Makes the World a Better Place it's Not Technology"

I thought this poem was going to be about Shane Koyzcan so when it started with him speaking a poem I was shocked so I listened. I didn't write this until after I listened to it four times. I realized it switched between him speaking about why education is important and there are moments when he is doing a spoken word poem. I could tell the difference because his voice changed from personal to "on stage". I like that it's a sit down conversation and he's not on stage speaking into a poem. I find it amazing that he values teachers so highly, I do too, but there are people who don't, they feel are people that "those that can't" I like that Koyczan doesn't think that way, he in fact believes that teacher should be revered and respected because he wouldn't know what he does today without those teachers. This was a more relaxed view of Shane Koyczan and I feel like I know him now because of this interview.

"Anyone Who Took The Time to Know Me Knows I Don't Run"

I immediately laughed after the first line. And then grew silent thinking he was growing serious, but immediately started laughing. I must admit however that the beginning of this poem was a bit raw in humor, meaning explicit. The microphone in this location picked up everything which lead me to be uncomfortable when I was trying to listen to what he was saying. However, I do like that he wants to give the girl a coal so that in a million years she would have a diamond, but then ask her if she would wait. I wanted a girl to be standing there next to him so I could hear her answer, I wanted to know if she would say yes or if she would tell him no.His voice had drastic voice and up and down movements, I feel like he was trying it out with this performance to see what worked and what didn't. I also found it amazing that this was yet again another performance that was on television and that a lot of people watched him. Maybe it's because in Canada they might enjoy poetry more than Americans do. After the credits was a promotion of one of his books Stickboy, which I own and I must say it is very good book. And if you like what you hear so far I suggest buying it.

"We Only Get From Now Until The Time We Go"

When I first heard the female signer I had to fast forward to make sure that video had Shane Koyczan in it. I love that the first word is "I'm sorry that I apologize too much" I feel like I do that. I can guess that he doesn't like George Bush and I like that he just states it, at first my jaw dropped, but then I gave him respect for just speaking his mind. Shane Koyczan's voice when speaking this poem seemed more laid back and relaxed and even a bit playful. I felt like smiling through the whole poem because of the way he was speaking. I enjoyed that it turned into a love poem, my favorite part is that he actually skipped over "I wanna play it until it skips" line, it reminded me of my CD days when I played my favorite song on a disk of 15 until it skipped beyond repair. I then through the CD out because I didn't like any of the other songs enough to care. I liked the line "My hearts the strongest muscle in my body and I'm flexing it at you" because I feel like it's true when you love someone you are flexing your heart at them. The young lady singing offered soothing breaks between Shane Koyczan reading and the song and poem went well together.

"This is About a Women Named Everyone"

This live version shows that audience was just as entertained as I was while listening to this. "Rule Number one don't fuck with the bees" I like that rules were not just man made rules, but rules that you learn yourself. I enjoyed very much the sorry about the women and her nipples running away from her ex-husband. "Just wear my pajamas and walk in my dreams instead" I love it because so many people face things they don't want to but if you walked in someone dreams you might find out who they really are. This too must have been an older poem because Shane Koyczan looks different and still doesn't have a beard. I like that if someone is telling you not to have hopes or dreams to not listen and that they "are full of shit". We should stand together and we should cherish every moment because we are just like that women in the hospital we are just visiting.

"Write Me a Bedroom Where Cures Make Love to Our Cancers"

This is the first time I have heard a mashup between Shane Koyczan and a musical artist. I enjoyed it very much. The visual of Shane Koyczan's mother trying to cut her legs off and the blood leaking onto white floors, floors of innocent. Dan Mangan introduction was soothing,  enjoyed his voice and after Shane Koyczan had finished and began singing again how he sang about the person passing away. I feel that Shane Koyczan is in pain as his voice struggles over certain words and I feel that Dan Mangan is helping him through this. I like that the singing parts relate to the readings, I originally thought it would be a little scattered, but it's not at all they both fit perfectly with one another. I began crying at the end of it because everyone wants the person who is passing away to stay. I feel that the song wouldn't work without the poem and the poem wouldn't work without the song. Trying to move on from this piece after this is going to rough, I feel like I am mourning with both of them, as if I knew Shane Koycan's mother and I need to mourn her too.

"Skywaitress..."

When selecting this poem I looked at the first screen and thought, "This one ought to be good", because some of the things that Shane Koyczan says in his poems are absolutely funny while others can be moving. When he opened with wanting to have an octopus as a wingman I about died from laughter and then to continue with the story about wanting to gain revenge on a women from something said when he was a baby. I love that he wanted to bring 'grody' back and brought up different way to say it. I love the magic trick thought and the animation thought bubble that went with the audience. I love his analogies and his thoughts and that the animation was the primarily him in the center and just adding things and taking things away. Four minutes of Shane Koyczan thoughts I must admit was the best four minutes I have spent on Youtube.

"There Has Never Been a Bank That Will Give Out a Loan Based On The Collateral of Hope"

I decided to anther one from the CD I own with his poems on them, at first I was confused because on the CD none of Shane Koyczan's poems have music to them, which I like because I get a feel for the words rather than the music. However, the person who made this video decided to put a piano opening and through the poem. This is personally one of my favorite poems by him and to have someone put a piano to it really bothers me. This poem is about someone who has Alzheimer's and he doesn't remember that his wife has passed away and confused his daughter for her wife. The daughter plays along, which is why is she wearing her mother's wedding ring. The poem is heart wrenching to think that someone has to go through this, but to think that love could be so strong to pt yourself through this just to ensure that they are happy and at piece.

"In Your Absence I Find Value"

The opening of this is so relatable for me, "shoulders to lean on are hard to come by. I know because there were times I would have broken my own neck just so that I'd have one of my own to cry own." I feel that everyone has been in a place in there life where they feel alone and they want someone to talk to and yet no one is around so you just cry alone. I am confused whether or not this is a recent break up poem or if he trying to find a way to tell someone that he still loves and cares for them. In away maybe it's both, they broke up and they are trying to find away to still be in each others life. I love visual of his eyeballs and how he is stopping himself from crying from everyday. I like the excerpt that sounded as if he stopped and just talked to her "or do that thing that drives you crazy and by that, I mean you literally for crazy when I call you 'cranky pants'". A part of me hopes that everything works out and I don't even know if this is based on a true story, but looking back on a past poem "Strawberries" it is.

"Listen."

I wasn't sure, at first, if this was even Shane Koyczan until I heard him speak. He has changed drastically through the years and let's face it without the iconic beard it's hard to recognize him. I liked that with every time he said "hit" he snapped it added an affected. I noticed the drastic differences with this poem and more recent ones, this one is harder to understand when he speeds up, many time I had to rewind and listen again. I like that no matter what Beethoven did it was viewed as "not good enough" but he was cheered by Kings and Queens. I must admit that this poem was one of my least favorites of Shane Koyczan's poems so far. I still think it's well written just not well executed.

"Pain is Part of The Human Condition and That Alone Makes You A Legion"

This is yet another poem with lyrics on the screen. I like that the intro withheld the music until after the cold truth of "there will be days", I liked it because at first I thought "gee thanks" but then the music started I thought "well I can get through them". I like that each sentence was short and sweet, each one leaving an impression that last. I like that with each short sentence it's explained how you can "be" each of those things. The word choice for each one is empowering in some way. What I love most about this poem is that it reminds you that you aren't alone in the world that there are in fact other people that are going through bad days too and it's okay to go and talk to them. Each one of the "Be" things offer a wise fortune cookie advice after them and I am awe struck by each one. I like that if you are having a good day he reminds you "be considerate" because other people may not be having a good day. In this poem i find myself taken away by the words, at times I forget that there is music in the background. The ending how the poem faded out and the music just stopped left me in silence, I must admit I replayed this video many times just so that I could relax and I will again if I am having a bad day because it put me in an amazing mood.