Anyone who appreciates the beauty and utility of language will enjoy this poem by Taylor Mali.
There are people who will tell you that the meaning is what matters, not the way it is expressed. But when words are used carelessly and incorrectly, how do we know what the speaker or writer is trying to say?
Words have meaning. The words you use, and the manner in which you use them, matter. Mali makes that point very cleverly in this performance.
Although the poem was written and performed by Mali, the video was created by Ronnie Bruce. According to Mali, “I have no idea who he is (and he didn’t ask for permission), but what would you do when the result is so good?” The typographic animation is interesting, but the poem and its performance are outstanding.
