BEAU SIA'S BOOK IS ON TOUR WITHOUT HIM!

Snippet in a Snapshot of "Letter to a Mentor"

On my way back home, I sit across Amy whose style you wouldn't miss. She carries a beautiful air of confidence, openness, and kindness--definitely someone you'd want to start a conversation with. Beneath her feet, her trusted skateboard that takes her wherever she wants to go. "I skateboard because it's so liberating. It's a type of freedom not everyone gets to feel," says Amy, who just celebrated her birthday a few days ago, "It's also the factor of me being female and being doubted. I just want people to see that if I can do it, anyone can." Amy breaks the boundaries of gender stereotypes when she shows up at the skate park. She wants young girls to know that they can definitely skate just as well, or even better than the boys, all they need to do is practice, practice, practice. 

"Ball so hard, that shit cray!" Iggy was listening to Jay-Z when I tapped his shoulders to ask how tall he was since a New York residence told me 6 footers rarely stroll the streets of this city. The 6'4" 20-year-old turns 21 tomorrow, he said he likes poetry so I offered him a poem. He flips to "Weed and Harmony" on random and laughs. He's a waiter at an Italian restaurant and is searching for more clarity in his future. Happy Birthday, Iggy! Cheers to becoming 21! 

On the C ride back home from 23rd St, Cross from Harlem offers an empty seat next to him, recently occupied by his backpack. I randomly tell him about TUGWOAT and ask him if he'd like to read a poem. He then shares that he's a songwriter, so I suggested he reads another poem, "Letters to a Young Poet" His head is nodding and exalts, "This is exactly how I feel! I really like it. I like how he writes and [says that] the answers in life that society gives you isn't always the right answer. You have to come up with your own answer. I like how he words it." He shares, "I like to play with words." Cross is an 18-year-old musician who plays guitar and is taking a year off away from school before he heads off to attend Berklee College of Music. I then get off at 110th St, because I realized I took the wrong train since 72nd St....but then again, did I really though? ;) 

BJ was just chillin' outside of Pies-n-Thighs waiting on his dinner order to come out. So I offered him some Beau-etry while he waited. He's a make-up artist from LA and made the move to NYC for more creative adventures. 

This is Vinny, we met at Vinnie's Pizzeria in Brooklyn. A pretty dope soul who was open to sharing his table with a stranger. Raised in Tennessee, Vinny is a part of a band and has lived in Chi-City but prefers the life in NY. He's a rarity who is fond of long-distance relationships, because it makes heart palpitations that much more exciting each time he sees his girlfriend. 

If you ever find him, he'll also be happy to create a special piece just for you!

Welcome!

He traveled to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when he was 19-years-old by himself. He worked a good number of jobs until he decided to join the NYPD. "'Trying everything once is an immature mantra,' I really like that line!" says Officer D. He recites the line again and excitedly proclaims, "Yeah, I really like that line a lot, because it is so true!" It was a wonderful feeling watching him read "Give Yourself Permission" loud enough for passerby's to hear if they were actually listening. "I really like that poem a lot. He's good." Officer D. has lived in the East Coast for most of his life. Supposedly, there's a rumor going around that New Yorkers are mean? Well, he debunked that when both him and his partner were open and nice enough to give us a hug goodbye. Police officer + Beau-etry + Hugs = Yup, we left feeling pretty magical. 

Betty who works at this bookstore in Brooklyn didn't want her face featured. But it worked out perfectly, don'tchathink?

This is Christian. He works at The Mark Hotel. He's working on being a screenplay writer, so his friend suggested he watches "Game of Thrones" He was holding the book, so we suggested he reads "Boys Will Be Boys." Coincidence? Perhaps ;) 

20-year-old Alex from Melbourne, Australia, has been backpacking across the US all summer long. Here he sits at the Times Square station. When asked how he liked the poem, "Boys Will Be Boys" he replied, "Did he write this poem recently? Because he references King Joffery and there is no king by that name other than in 'Game of Thrones'." He then shares, "It's at the top of my list of favorite shows. I watched the whole series and now I'm reading the books." Well, Alex, you and Beau both.

Sprinkled in glitter and gold on the 3 train, Adeshia from Newark, New Jersey, was beaming from her night out seeing Beyonce in concert at Brooklyn's Barclay Center. The aspiring medical sociologist asked, "Could I buy a copy?" after reading "Give Yourself Permission" 

Melissa, NYCity native, was open to a short reading on the streets of Chinatown. 

JR, an event manager at BaoHaus, was the sweetest and most attentive to his son's friend who came by the restaurant.  The boy looked like he wasn't having the best of days, so JR offered him some delicious BaoHaus scrumptiousness in hopes to cheer him up. Supporting the youth with their growth while on the job, when he really doesn't have to? Yes. JR was a perfect candidate to be introduced to some Beau-etry. Here's a photo of him reading "Weed & Harmony".

Anika from the Bronx recites, "Letter to A Mentor" at Jacob Riis Park beach. 

Jay, a salesman from Jersey asks passionately, "Who says he's 'The Undisputed Greatest Writer of All Time?!" "He says," I reply, "You can read that poem if you like." He flips through the pages of the book and finds, " 'Give Yourself Permission,' I like this one." Jay continues to recite the poem aloud on the E train to Lexington & 53rd, hands waving in the air and all. "How'd you like the poem?" I ask, he flips through the pages again, and despite his subway poetry performance he replies, "He's decent" and says he wants to get an email address and contact Beau.