This is called, "R U OK?!"
This is a found poem, and is Raquel Gutierrez
here somewhere?
Damn, she didn't make it to my reading?
[LAUGHTER]
I'm going to text her right now.
[LAUGHTER]
(MOCKINGLY) I'm reading a poem with something you said in it,
and you're not here.
[CHUCKLES]
No, I'm just kidding.
I will get her back though.
[CHUCKLES]
So this is called, "R U OK?"
This is a found poem.
I think you'll recognize the references,
but I wanted to dedicate this to those of you who
are from El Paso here.
I know Gabe is here, and Rafael is here from El Paso.
I don't know who else is from El Paso.
Anyone else?
Oh, yeah. (EXCITEDLY) Hey!
[LAUGHTER]
What are you guys doing here?
Well, you're not-- you are.
But you are from Nicaragua who has passed through El
Paso, former student.
Nice to see you.
So one of these lines is something
that Raquel Gutierrez wrote to me,
so I wanted to acknowledge her.
But there are a lot of other voices here.
So this is a found poem--
"R U OK?!"
"Checking in.
Let me know you're not anywhere near Cielo Vista Mall, please.
Active shooter in the area.
Just heard about the shooting in El Paso.
You guys all OK?
I just read there was a shooting in an El Paso mall.
Assuming you're all fine, but just checking.
Si usted y su familia están en El Paso,
espero que estén a salvo.
Safe and sound.
R u guys OK?!
You guys OK?
Thinking of you, and El Paso, and our American addiction
to gun violence.
¿Cómo están?
Qué tragedia horrible.
Les mando muchos besos.
Querida--
--are you all OK?
Sending 'double-hearts emoji' y cariño.
Just reading about El Paso.
Sending all my 'heart emoji.'
Colleagues, I hope you and yours are all safe, 'heart emoji.'
Just want to tell everyone I know that I love them, XXOO.
I hope you and your family are safe.
My dear, I'm sorry to text you to ask you
if you are all safe and sound, but I love you, and I must.
This is horrific.
Please tell me you were nowhere near a Walmart today,
'praying-hands emoji.'
Hey, fam, thinking of you.
'Breaking-heart emoji' for El Chuco.
Are you OK?
How are you doing, hermana?
I miss you.
Terribly upsetting situation in El Paso.
My heart goes out to you all.
¿Cómo están ustedes?
¿Estás bien y tu familia y conocidos?
'Crying emoji.'
Muy doloroso, no paro de llorar.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]