Jimmy Santiago Baca - I Am Offering This Poem

Celebrated poet Jimmy Santiago Baca reads I Am Offering This Poem from his 1979 collection Immigrants in Our Own Land.
Shot by Gabriel Baca for A Place to Stand's 2012 Kickstarter campaign.
A Place to Stand is a feature length documentary about how started writing poetry in Arizona State Prison. It is based on his best-selling memoir of the same name.
A Place to Stand is slated for release in 2014.
www.aplacetosta...

[@user-xc7zg6dn3j]

this is a true man, excepting pain he doesn't deserve, giving what little he has, striving to do better, and to give more.
I admire his self sacrifice
-Georgia

[@tracyrobertson370]

Who can close eyes...listen...and not cry?

[@IdkTbh]

Me

[@TheEthereal29]

Jimmy is a one of kind GEM....This is a good man who has been to hell and back and yet has the Sweetest, Loving, Soul..

[@MrSofuskroghlarsen]

Thank you, Jimmy. From the bottom of my heart. Your love is giving me strength for the future - 20 year old man from Denmark.

[@thanialmheiri3444]

ur 24 now

[@ConejoMalo247]

Simple yet powerful. Brilliant.

[@Michelles_]

I am offering this poem to you,
since I have nothing else to give.
Keep it like a warm coat
when winter comes to cover you,
or like a pair of thick socks
the cold cannot bite through,
I love you,
I have nothing else to give you,
so it is a pot full of yellow corn
to warm your belly in winter,
it is a scarf for your head, to wear
over your hair, to tie up around your face,
I love you,
Keep it, treasure this as you would
if you were lost, needing direction,
in the wilderness life becomes when mature;
and in the corner of your drawer,
tucked away like a cabin or hogan
in dense trees, come knocking,
and I will answer, give you directions,
and let you warm yourself by this fire,
rest by this fire, and make you feel safe
I love you,
It’s all I have to give,
and all anyone needs to live,
and to go on living inside,
when the world outside
no longer cares if you live or die;
remember,
I love you.

[@slime9706]

thanks!

[@danielmora8645]

Much Love and respect to you Mr. Baca - your words have enlightened the fire in me to believing in myself and helping others

[@elainemartinez2021]

I stumbled on A Place to Stand and finished reading it at work. I couldn't contain the emotions it stirred deep in my heart. I just lost my father and the question of forgiveness was what I was faced with in the end. Anger met no match with the finality of Ernie's death and the healing power of forgiving and being forgiven.
Mr. Baca, thank you.

[@Tizonik]

one ot the greatest poems

[@citizenofn_city3870]

I like this poem very much. It is very beautiful.

[@loveeveryday2748]

I love this poem, such simplicity.

[@calirican4768]

Thank you brother. I'm only sorry I've never seen this until now.

[@ragumaexumbrainsolem4919]

shouts from chicago

[@TheMusicalHarmonee]

That is so beautiful

[@ishcalleros]

Beautiful, brother.

[@ahmadalakkad1446]

who else is here from school

[@khosroraulsoleimani7281]

Beautiful.

[@i-793]

I have to recite this poem for my poetry contest with my twin wish me luck

[@buirgy]

I'm thanking you from my heart for your beautiful poetry.
Lenore Buirgy

[@kimberlywoods7579]

Loved it

[@toolinc.collection1521]

Those words hit the heart like a rejection from the oposite sex. The words I love you are deep and can cut thought any feeling any bad mood one might be experiencing. I must say I love you.

[@wingspantt]

9.4/10

[@TheClockseven77]

Chingon!
-Ø

[@user-if7vp8qj7l]

See this comment Mr.Ammar 😂😂