How did America ever deserve such a poet and man? This interview was a life-affirming experience at a time when so much drags us down. This is really the honey.
And more people from fields other than entertainment and politics, in general. I hark back to the old show which often had guests from diverse fields. Actual authors, not someone release a ghost-written autobiography because they are running for office. Brilliant scientists that only the nerds knew about. I'm sure some of the limitation is to this being a Big Network -- they have to cater to the lowest common denominator.
What a fantastic poem. It's SOOOO important that children are made aware of the love that brought them into existence if it was there. Especially if their parents are now separated. You could tell how much it moved Stephen. Thanks for your devotion to the spoken word and for your efforts to bring it to a wider audience through your show.
I’m a poet as well as a high functioning schizophrenic and autistic person My grandma almost said the same thing, she asked why do I always make sad music? And I said because my life is a tragedy that I’m trying to turn into a comedy. My mother was murdered by her husband not my father but the but the father of my half-brother's that are twins so yeah, my music didn’t start getting happy until recently when I’ve learned to let go of the pain still grieving. I don’t think that it ever go away happened when I was 15 still feeling it to this day this interview meant a lot to me. God bless this man and God bless, Stephen. 💯
This white Granny is with you...misty, smiling, thinking of a times " with braided legs." Human experience transcends all. Positive vibes from New Hampshire, remember to be kind to each other and yourself during these trying times.
What a great fucking interview. Stephen is so good at interviewing artists and writers. And of course, Kwame Alexander is a gem and a delight and a national treasure. And a stunning poet. Love that he read this one.
Stephen...wow...you are singlehandedly one of the MOST upstanding individuals in pop culture. You always enlighten me by your guests and your ability to actually interview them with so much class and artistry. Kwame Alexander was absolutely brilliant...thank you for introducing me to his work. HIs book now is already sold out...Bravo! Bravo!
Thank you for having Kwame Alexander on The Late Show! This is amazing and inspiring to see. I used to frequent and perform at the club they hosted in DC. Our music & poetry group even had the opportunity to be featured on a compilation cd he produced. Kwame is a brilliant writer, publisher, producer, and a grounded, passionate human. Congratulations, Brother! I’m an happy for and proud of you.
This evening was among the very best of Late Show. John Cena, a revelation. Warm, funny, authentic. Kwame Alexander, warm, funny, authentic. Each exhibiting humility, gratitude, grace. Tears of joy. Grateful for the privilege to witness Stephen at his best. Thank you. Best wishes 🌞🫶🏻🤸🏾♂️
If poetry does not start with a lump in your throat .. it surely ends with one .. I love what poetry expresses because somewhere in its lines we all find bits of ourselves . Wonderful interview Stephen
This was incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing to life with words, memories, and feelings that my wife and I are now creating. I’m crying for a future that I’m not yet in, about a moment in the present that I am living now. It made me appreciate even more what I already appreciate about being in love. Thank you
This show is really so good sometimes. This is one of those times. Thank you Stephen Colbert for have this poet, Kwame Alexander, on the show. Wow! That brought me joy!
Fantastic! Yeah!, Let's have more lovely poets on! And more talented, than the very famous writers too. We desperately need more folks who can communicate a sociological imagination, please.
I grew up on the poetry of Nikki Giovanni, thanks to my mom. I’m grateful for this interview to remind me of the power and beauty of this art form. Ordering the book now!
That poem is the part of love I’m living rn. So moving and warming to hear it from another perspective. Sorry to hear that they are no longer together, but 24 years is quite a run. I hope I’m that lucky. ❤
As part of my MFA degree completion last year, we read 'The Crossover' in graphic novel form. It's the perfect book for Young Adult readers. No wonder if became a hit TV series, as well.
If poets were brought on to national tv more to read their poetry, maybe it wouldn't be such a strange occurrence to have one on to talk about their book. If poetry was a larger part of the national art scene, I feel like more topics would be open to actual discussion.
For all viewers out there who don't read poetry because "it's just lyrics without a song, rhyme and no rhythm" - wow, did he just prove you wrong! Poetry doesn't have to rhyme, it doesn't need meter or verse or established structure... it's thoughts and expectation leading to truth and surprise. Get out there and read to new horizons!
Freedom I've read about Freedom it don't compare to the life I dream about. People fighting a fight for the color of the flag. I fight for the right to be heard not bound not gagged. Promises and beliefs from unfamiliar faces; Actions and words in their familiar places. I'm asked to stand next to you in a war for morality. I ask you to stand with me in my fight for Humanity. They want to put guns in our hands to fight in another man's land while we struggling in a fight at home we don't understand. Freedom? Free at last? Please slow down, not so fast. We getting shot front and back at traffic stops not doing crack. Yeah we struggling in a fight at home cause we're Black. So here we go all over again day in and day out wondering when our live's going to end it makes you want to stand and Shout, "We love just like you do. We have families same as you!" Black Lives Matter. When I was little my mom said wake up it's a brand new day. I said moms have you been outside it's not safe to play. I wake up each day with insecurity and a wet blanket. Dreamin nightmares of freedom is how I would rank it. She'd say go to school. Make something of yourself. Get an education. I'd say I do my learning on the streets with trepidation. We aspire to be heard although our voices may be moot. Being ignored until it's quota time. Bang! Bang! Stop or I'll shoot. We live our lives in a land of hostility. Avoiding being on the 5 o'clock news is our reality. So while they keep saying you're free at last, you're free at last, thank God Almighty you're free at last. We'll keep our representation of freedom with each other and our belief in unity with our brother. So here we go all over again day in and day out wondering when our live's going to end it makes you want to stand and Shout, "We love just like you do. We have families same as you!" Black Lives Matter. You and I Matter. We All Matter. By Humble Driver
Apparently, you stopped reading when you were 5 and thought all poetry rhymed. Please read a book, read modern poetry, modern essays, modern lit. Catch up.
“It helps you feel better.” We saw this live last night what you didn’t see, is that Steven and Alexander sat for 5 minutes getting more connected. Steven is a regular, well versed, appreciative person. The show is live taped and can you imagine how difficult it must be to deliver “MEANWHILE” intro. No second takes. Steven talked about taking the show on the road and coming to Chicago. That would be wonderful. Only bummer was Cena and Asake were pre-taped, but Louis and the band were hot the energy was ridiculous and Steve hung out with the crowd and did a bit of Carol Burnett answering questions from the crowd so that we could enjoy the Ed Sullivan Theater a little longer. Thanks Steven!
Poetry saved him, yet he tells a story of a woman who made him a better man, so how does or did poetry save him, sounds like an oxymoron. so many people tell such fabled stories for empathy and sympathy that they seem to get their ideologies confused. Poetry didnt save him, she did, the poem was the bridge or the guide to her, thats the analogy that should have been used. smh. people sure know how to manipulate and market peoples false emotions. lol. But congratulations on the emmy though. However sounds more like a collection of spoken words/thoughts, not poetry, but to each their own beliefs.
@@MadAboutBrows lol. really. in your feministic emotional opinion, you actually have the delusional belief, that you, because you are an emotional creature, with mental disabilities, that you understand what poetry is. lmao. keep feeling that feeling.
“Folks, I'm telling you, birthing is hard and dying is mean so get yourself a little loving in between.” -Langston Hughes
That part
Thanks for having Children’s authors and poets on your show! This librarian-fan girl couldn’t be more thrilled to see Kwame!
❤
Amen 🙏🏽!
How did America ever deserve such a poet and man? This interview was a life-affirming experience at a time when so much drags us down. This is really the honey.
Can you please have more poets on your show? I absolutely loved this episode- it gifted a lingering touching contented calm.
I agree!
And more people from fields other than entertainment and politics, in general. I hark back to the old show which often had guests from diverse fields. Actual authors, not someone release a ghost-written autobiography because they are running for office. Brilliant scientists that only the nerds knew about. I'm sure some of the limitation is to this being a Big Network -- they have to cater to the lowest common denominator.
@@burnere633 good ideas here!
@@burnere633yes! classical music peeps too
"... But we wouldn't, because we couldn't
Because we knew how lucky we were
To be loved like that"
Beautiful. I hope I'll be lucky like that one day.
You will, I promise
@@amelialee2142 Thank you ✨
What a fantastic poem. It's SOOOO important that children are made aware of the love that brought them into existence if it was there. Especially if their parents are now separated. You could tell how much it moved Stephen. Thanks for your devotion to the spoken word and for your efforts to bring it to a wider audience through your show.
I’m a poet as well as a high functioning schizophrenic and autistic person My grandma almost said the same thing, she asked why do I always make sad music? And I said because my life is a tragedy that I’m trying to turn into a comedy. My mother was murdered by her husband not my father but the but the father of my half-brother's that are twins so yeah, my music didn’t start getting happy until recently when I’ve learned to let go of the pain still grieving. I don’t think that it ever go away happened when I was 15 still feeling it to this day this interview meant a lot to me. God bless this man and God bless, Stephen. 💯
Kwame brings tears of genuine sincerity to my eyes! He's amazing!! Love that guy!
This white Granny is with you...misty, smiling, thinking of a times " with braided legs." Human experience transcends all. Positive vibes from New Hampshire, remember to be kind to each other and yourself during these trying times.
Amazing guest! I love when you have guests on I've never heard of before. He was so open and honest and talented. I hope you invite him on again.
More Kwame Alexander; more poets and poetry please!
Without saying it, a great entrance into Black History month!
Yes, have more Poets on the show wonderful poem!
This might just be the first time I've seen Stephen choke at the end of an interview. Powerful stuff.
I came to the comments to see if anybody else noticed that. It kinda got me choked me up a little as well-the poem and his reaction 😪
@@mathidewme too!
Same!
Thank you for haing this man as a guest.
His poem, sheer brilliance. Took me back in time, and remembering that kind of love.
What a great fucking interview. Stephen is so good at interviewing artists and writers. And of course, Kwame Alexander is a gem and a delight and a national treasure. And a stunning poet. Love that he read this one.
Kwame spoke at a local librarian event that I attended, and he was AMAZING!!!!!
That was awesome. So crazy how that last line drops. Suddenly you feel all of it. ❤
Amazes me people think they don’t like poetry but song lyrics is poetry.
Go Kwame!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Well earned and deserved!!! ❤❤❤🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👏👏👏👏👏👏
Stephen...wow...you are singlehandedly one of the MOST upstanding individuals in pop culture. You always enlighten me by your guests and your ability to actually interview them with so much class and artistry. Kwame Alexander was absolutely brilliant...thank you for introducing me to his work. HIs book now is already sold out...Bravo! Bravo!
What a sweet and real poem about his wife and family.
His ex wife, words kinda lose meaning
Thank you for having Kwame Alexander on The Late Show! This is amazing and inspiring to see. I used to frequent and perform at the club they hosted in DC. Our music & poetry group even had the opportunity to be featured on a compilation cd he produced. Kwame is a brilliant writer, publisher, producer, and a grounded, passionate human. Congratulations, Brother! I’m an happy for and proud of you.
As a teacher who teaches your books, thank you for your work!
This evening was among the very best of Late Show. John Cena, a revelation. Warm, funny, authentic. Kwame Alexander, warm, funny, authentic. Each exhibiting humility, gratitude, grace. Tears of joy. Grateful for the privilege to witness Stephen at his best. Thank you. Best wishes 🌞🫶🏻🤸🏾♂️
If poetry does not start with a lump in your throat .. it surely ends with one .. I love what poetry expresses because somewhere in its lines we all find bits of ourselves . Wonderful interview Stephen
This was incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing to life with words, memories, and feelings that my wife and I are now creating. I’m crying for a future that I’m not yet in, about a moment in the present that I am living now. It made me appreciate even more what I already appreciate about being in love. Thank you
Kwame is so BEAUTIFUL had to watch it twice❤❤❤
Me too!
Now that was good I’m going to buy this book
When he comes on NPR, I stop everything to listen.
Love his energy!! Gotta get this book!!🥰🥰
This show is really so good sometimes. This is one of those times. Thank you Stephen Colbert for have this poet, Kwame Alexander, on the show. Wow! That brought me joy!
Fantastic!
Yeah!, Let's have more lovely poets on!
And more talented, than the very famous writers too.
We desperately need more folks who can communicate a sociological imagination, please.
Nice. Great poet Kramer Alexander…(and Stephen was visibly moved)
I grew up on the poetry of Nikki Giovanni, thanks to my mom. I’m grateful for this interview to remind me of the power and beauty of this art form. Ordering the book now!
I'm SO EXCITED that Kwame Alexander will serve at CHQ!! I look forward to greeting him during The Assembly this summer. WELCOME!!!
Thank you!
Lovely poetry reading. The blessing is realizing it at the moment, not in retrospect.
This guys is a great poet! Im not a poems person but he had me watching and feeling his every word. Amazing!!!
That poem is the part of love I’m living rn. So moving and warming to hear it from another perspective. Sorry to hear that they are no longer together, but 24 years is quite a run. I hope I’m that lucky. ❤
His poem got me all choked up.
Amazing poetry.
Beautiful poem. More of this sort of thing!
Brought tears to my eyes
Lovely 🥰 💜🩷💋
Now, there's a meeting of two excellent human beings.
As part of my MFA degree completion last year, we read 'The Crossover' in graphic novel form. It's the perfect book for Young Adult readers. No wonder if became a hit TV series, as well.
So cool.
Wonderful interview Kwame - you truly gave us a taste of the Honey!
Once again, you have represented and done your mother, my sister-friend, proud!
Purchased.
Please, more poets on the show.
Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Love him.
Beautiful poem at the end.
Love seeing Stephen moved you know he's thinking about Evie
Just beautiful 🩷💕 😊
MORE poetry on Colbert! Brilliant!
so good, Heard of you but never actual seen you before;Happy for you and your family
More poets please Stephen.
There we have it. If you want a woman to fall in love with you, feed her poetry.
not forgetting this any time soon
Wonderful guest
Perfect book, read it 😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤ thank you
That poem brought the tears right to my eyes. Thank you, Kwame.
Wow!
Incredible!
If poets were brought on to national tv more to read their poetry, maybe it wouldn't be such a strange occurrence to have one on to talk about their book.
If poetry was a larger part of the national art scene, I feel like more topics would be open to actual discussion.
We love your show stephen colbert
He is so awesome!
I got to go on a field trip to see Kwame today and he signed my forehead lmao I also got a couple pictures 💪💪💪
I think he sold some books that night ❤
Dayum! Great poem!
For all viewers out there who don't read poetry because "it's just lyrics without a song, rhyme and no rhythm" - wow, did he just prove you wrong! Poetry doesn't have to rhyme, it doesn't need meter or verse or established structure... it's thoughts and expectation leading to truth and surprise. Get out there and read to new horizons!
Great dad, brother 😊❤
I wonder how many times he's had to endure someone saying "Oh, sorry... I thought you said 'call me Alexander' when you introduced yourself."
Freedom
I've read about Freedom it don't compare to the life I dream about. People fighting a fight for the color of the flag. I fight for the right to be heard not bound not gagged.
Promises and beliefs from unfamiliar faces; Actions and words in their familiar places.
I'm asked to stand next to you in a war for morality. I ask you to stand with me in my fight for Humanity.
They want to put guns in our hands to fight in another man's land while we struggling in a fight at home we don't understand.
Freedom? Free at last? Please slow down, not so fast. We getting shot front and back at traffic stops not doing crack. Yeah we struggling in a fight at home cause we're Black.
So here we go all over again day in and day out wondering when our live's going to end it makes you want to stand and Shout, "We love just like you do. We have families same as you!" Black Lives Matter.
When I was little my mom said wake up it's a brand new day. I said moms have you been outside it's not safe to play.
I wake up each day with insecurity and a wet blanket. Dreamin nightmares of freedom is how I would rank it.
She'd say go to school. Make something of yourself. Get an education. I'd say I do my learning on the streets with trepidation.
We aspire to be heard although our voices may be moot. Being ignored until it's quota time. Bang! Bang! Stop or I'll shoot.
We live our lives in a land of hostility. Avoiding being on the 5 o'clock news is our reality.
So while they keep saying you're free at last, you're free at last, thank God Almighty you're free at last. We'll keep our representation of freedom with each other and our belief in unity with our brother.
So here we go all over again day in and day out wondering when our live's going to end it makes you want to stand and Shout, "We love just like you do. We have families same as you!"
Black Lives Matter.
You and I Matter.
We All Matter.
By Humble Driver
Right at the beginning, this guy came off as older Urkel! Definitely love him!
More poets!
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
Who said, “”when they tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were flowers”?
Read it , it's useful for life 😂😂😂😂😂😂
He looks like Nephew Tommy from the Steve Harvey morning show 😮😂
In a way we just got multiple performances
🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭
For some people his name is too hard to say to he tells them, “Kwame Alexander”
I'm not feeling better every day counting them down is excruciating silent screaming is ruining my soul and spirit alone too long? 😢
Kwame is he Ghanaian?
no, from the 757 in Norfolk, VA
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
A good woman will always mold a better man!
Men should improve themselves, misogynist
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Books that no one reads. About a subject matter no one cares about. I changed a tire the other day. When should I expect my call from the Report?
Can I just say all of these poems were so cringe?
this is not poem...
What does something require to make it a poem, in your view?
Apparently, you stopped reading when you were 5 and thought all poetry rhymed. Please read a book, read modern poetry, modern essays, modern lit. Catch up.
“It helps you feel better.” We saw this live last night what you didn’t see, is that Steven and Alexander sat for 5 minutes getting more connected. Steven is a regular, well versed, appreciative person. The show is live taped and can you imagine how difficult it must be to deliver “MEANWHILE” intro. No second takes. Steven talked about taking the show on the road and coming to Chicago. That would be wonderful. Only bummer was Cena and Asake were pre-taped, but Louis and the band were hot the energy was ridiculous and Steve hung out with the crowd and did a bit of Carol Burnett answering questions from the crowd so that we could enjoy the Ed Sullivan Theater a little longer. Thanks Steven!
This is not poem / This just life growin' / This just time flowin' / This just minds blowin' / That some can't feel no love.
Your comment? True, it's not a poem; it's a waste of time
Poetry saved him, yet he tells a story of a woman who made him a better man, so how does or did poetry save him, sounds like an oxymoron. so many people tell such fabled stories for empathy and sympathy that they seem to get their ideologies confused. Poetry didnt save him, she did, the poem was the bridge or the guide to her, thats the analogy that should have been used. smh. people sure know how to manipulate and market peoples false emotions. lol. But congratulations on the emmy though. However sounds more like a collection of spoken words/thoughts, not poetry, but to each their own beliefs.
race card helps
Damn…how swiveled and rotted is your heart? Sending light and love.
Sorry you don't understand poetry or human emotion
@@MadAboutBrows lol. really. in your feministic emotional opinion, you actually have the delusional belief, that you, because you are an emotional creature, with mental disabilities, that you understand what poetry is. lmao. keep feeling that feeling.
What happened to you? I hope someday you will know what love feels like.