WEBVTT

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Reading another one.

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OK.

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I got something to say to
that one but read another.

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OK.

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There's another one that
may get into the book.

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So it's for a
friend of mine named

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Al, who when I introduced
him to Nina Simone

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he said he couldn't
stand her voice.

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And so I want to pimp slap
him but I refuse to do that.

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So I wrote this poem.

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It's called "How to Dig Nina."

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"For Nina Simone,
some advice to Al.

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First, abandon what you think
you know about voice, brother.

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What makes it and
women beautiful

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and just put your
hands into Earth.

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Close your eyes, listen
to aluvia, indigo root,

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coal's bituminous narrative
speaking the fossil wet womb.

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Next, place an ear to
your grandmother's back

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to where it bends at its
most incurable angle.

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Hear the holy conflagration
of tambourines.

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The orgy bootstomp holler.

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The sermon ring shout of
ripened hands then wait.

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Wait until language
unshackled the tongue flame

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above your head.

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When this happens
as it always will

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your mouth will
germinate a naked song.

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That night go to your lover,
bury this song into her.

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Bury it until her breasts
opalesce with milk,

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until her belly becomes
blossom and mother note."

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[APPLAUSE]

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