"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.