Loyce Gayo - How We Forget

Loyce Gayo, performing at CUPSI 2014 in Boulder, CO.

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Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.

We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

[sylviamarie]

the moment when a tear escapes, "I forgot my rage." is probably one of the best parts of the poem.

[LossesCostUs]

"Crowns do nothing for kings but put weight on their heads and a target on their backs." This was just the beginning of this stunning poem.

[jamika]

This gave me chills, I find it crazy that as I grow older and listen to more and more poetry, especially black poetry my silent opinions no longer feel solitary. Hearing this gives me hope that in this generation, in my generation people still possess the capability to express their true thought with sincerity. And still I feel a tinge of guilt because once I exit this screen I will forget.

[chaseseabourn]

"You know, sometimes, I forget just how hard it is to remember."

Hit me like a city bus.

[krystalyoung]

We forgot we were worshipping beings
We forgot you, Black Jesus
We forgot the king of kings
We forgot crowns do nothing for kings
But put weight on their heads
And a target on their backs
We forgot they tax our heads
And put weight on our backs
We forgot Sodom and Gomorrah were leveled
By brimstone and divine judgement
But Mississippi is still standing
We forgot burning cities
We forgot cities are still burning
We forgot colors are seasonal
And that this skin will fade too
I forgot my skin
Or perhaps, I just ran out of fucks to give
We forgot that some kid's utopias
Is a roof, that won't whisper the night
To the sleeping bodies below
We forgot bodies, sleep below
We forgot bodies float, bodies hang
We forgot barbecue postcard,  strange fruit, and hooded men
I forgot my rage, and the pulse it leaves underneath my tongue
I forgot my tongue, and how it used to fit so perfectly in my purse
Next to my womanly duties
I forgot my purse, and my high heel stilts
I forgot balancing is no longer an act
When you're hiding behind imported hair, a downloaded smile
And a voice trained to jump through hoops
Force flames for your snaps in applause
You don't get it
Shoot, you already forgot you woke up this morning
You forgot to close the faucet when you scrubbing
That pot, that plate, that spoon, or your left butt cheek or whatever
But you remember how that song goes, right?
You remember how it went?
You remember you wanted your grande chai tea latte with
Three pumps, skim milk, light water, no foam, and served at
A hundred and twenty degrees
You remember how spiritual of an experience that was?
I forgot why I wrote this
I forgot if I was just ranting
Or if I'd forgotten to close the faucet when I was scrubbing
That pot, that plate, that spoon, or my tongue or whatever
But I remember how this goes
I remember how spiritual of an experience this is
I forgot my heart, was a burning city
Shoot, you already forgot I forgot my tongue, remember?
We forgot, that some kids, walk past their utopias every morning
Suburban bricks standing tall in proclamation of what statistics say
They will never truly attain
We forgot that some kids, try so hard
To forget tomorrow is even coming
We forgot that there were kids, smiling
In barbecue postcards,  next to strange fruit, and hooded men
Or perhaps we never had any fucks to give, you know
Sometimes I forget, how hard it is to remember

[bbbinrbin]

it's amazing that she started crying during it and kept going.

[sayElectronica]

"Shoot, you already forgot I forgot... "

*fingers snap*

That part was undeniably beautiful. I was so consumed by her words and performance that I did forget tHat she forgot...

I just don't want to spoil it for anyone. (+)

[serenethomas]

"We forgot that some kids walk past their utopia every day." That was such a stunning line.

[hallmarket]

"We forgot that there were kids, smiling in barbecue postcards next to strange fruit and hooded men"

[MadeOfIndie]

When she talks about "king of kings" she means people like Martin Luther King annd Malcom X, who had "weight on their heads and a target on their backs". They were our kings, and they were killed for it.

[GreenwithEnvyx]

The line "we forgot colors are seasonal and this skin will fade too" gets me so hard specifically because she is wearing a white sweater and the contrast with her skin tone is so obvious. I'm sure that was not intentional, it was just one of those accidental but poetic moments.

but in reality, I can't pick one line that hits me more than another. The whole piece gets me. After the first time I heard this, I didn't realize I wasn't breathing until it was over because all of a sudden I shuddered and started crying and took in this shallow breath and hit replay.

[mimiscoo]

I used to be obsessed with watching these poetries and today I came back to it and I cried all over again. It’s so beautiful

[lucievovk]

this is still my favourite poem, 5 years on. it's unparalleled.

[WoahYouExist]

I still find myself thinking about this poem and realizing what she means in certain parts and just sitting there basking in it for a little while.

[epiphanyfanatic]

I'll forever come back to this poem and i won't stop reciting it as i listen to it. ❤

[vahlia]

Her passion is incredible. I love her. Every word is amazing.

[elishamiyahira]

This is the most brilliant poem on racism ever written.

[johnsmith]

I have listened to this for years and it still hits me every time. Just in your face honesty.

[anaumsal.]

Poems like this stir up this writing passion/inspiration in me so hard i just want to grab my pen and notebook and just write whatever comes to mind. And its internal physical pain.

[tumiscorner]

This poem remains one of the best poems to ever exist