S3 Ep. 181 The Power of Storytelling

Words have the power to heal, to transform, and to transcend the ordinary—and none know this better than Virus the Poet, whose infectious verses will leave you pondering long after they've been heard. In an intimate conversation with this evocative wordsmith, we traverse his journey from poetry as a personal sanctuary to captivating audiences with his lyrical prowess. Virus the Poet, a name that flips the script on negativity, brings to the fore the dualities of life: the everyday versus the artistic, the practical against the poetic. His story is a testament to the potential within us all to change our narrative and influence the world, one word at a time.

Hold tight as we cruise through the realms of emotion and intellect with Virus's guidance, exploring how poetry can be both a mirror and a window to the soul. From the heart of Toronto to the vibrant stages of Miami, he lets us in on the delicate dance of sharing poetry that's both impactful and accessible, while teasing the possibility of his rhymes weaving through the beats of mainstream hip-hop. We don't just talk shop, though; we also delve into the enriching tapestry of travel and its role in our personal evolution. As we close with a stirring reading from "Poetry is Motion: Mind, Body and Soul," discover how the journeys, both literal and literary, can shape and define our existence, leaving us forever transformed.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:12

Hello there, welcome to the World Cafe podcast. This podcast has been designed with created content that centers on the power of words. Can we really do anything without speaking? Can we really do anything without the agency of words? Yes, that is what this podcast is all about, and I am your host, amakri Isubie, your neighborhood word trader. I believe in the power of words, for it is the unit of creation. I trade in words to profit my world.

Speaker 1: 0:53

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good, everything. Wherever you are, yes, on this planet. Wherever you are, yes, on this planet. How are you? I am fine, I'm good. You know how it is. This is that space where we come in to lean on one another's experience and forge a positive path. Yes, we're here again. Ah, I always enjoy it when I come in here. Yep, I don't just ask that question rhetorically, I mean it. How are you? I'm good. Yes, you know where I'm broadcasting from. Yes, abuja, nigeria. Within this space, what are we going to be doing today? Yes, you're seeing it on the screen the power of storytelling.

Speaker 1: 1:38

I have this amazing guest. The way he writes his name, it's what I say provoking and at the same time, intoxicating, if I should use that word you know. He calls himself Virus the Poet. Yes, I'll let him talk, introduce himself when he comes on. Where is he? And I know you want to see him. I want to bring him on too. Where is he there he is. How see him. I want to bring him on to. Where is he there he is. How are you?

Speaker 2: 2:09

good, how are you?

Speaker 1: 2:10

virus. The poet. I'm good, I'm fine, I'm fine. I know before we came on. We're just trying to catch up with uh, where you're joining in from, and all of that, but I'd like to say it again. So where are you at this very instant?

Speaker 2: 2:22

yeah, I'm, I'm in Toronto, toronto, ontario, canada, yeah, all right, all right.

Speaker 1: 2:27

What is it like now there in Canada?

Speaker 2: 2:31

It's nice. I mean it's summer now, so there's a lot of sun. It gets hot and humid, but it's better than the snow. You know we get really cold weather out here. So definitely take the heat over the cold which you obviously know. Yeah, definitely take the heat over the cold, which you obviously know during that year.

Speaker 1: 2:46

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we do. We do so first of all. Before we go into anything, I want us to get to see this personality Virus. The Poet, that's one and Valgaud correct me if I'm wrong yes, so how do I bring these two together?

Speaker 2: 3:04

It's a good question. So obviously, uh, they're the same people, but they have different mindsets. Right? The everyday, real person is the everyday human that is living day to day and, you know, trying to make his way around the world virus. The poet is, uh, the artist within that comes out, that displays it and writes it and and and tries to share it in a way that is enticing and, as you said in the beginning of the show, thought provoking to the audience, because a lot of my art, really, the overlaid theme is relatability.

Speaker 2: 3:38

So at some point in your life, for the lives of those that you know friends, family, etc. Have gone through or or witnessed or observed what I'm speaking about with my art, and so that's really where the two to meet so why did you choose the word virus, the poet, why that?

Speaker 2: 3:57

yeah, well, so if you go, if you look up the dictionary meaning for virile or viral, right the viral infection, it's a virus. So I just took the play on words and I added the poet and just try to flip a negative into a positive and try to spread that, so to speak yeah, so when it is all, begin for you, as in, because I see that your, your space is canada, you, you have a large following there, and all that.

Speaker 1: 4:23

When did it begin for you?

Speaker 2: 4:25

that's a good question. Um, when I started poetry? Probably 20 2011, 2011, probably when, I started it serious with writing and then, 2015 is when I really decided to share it. So in the beginning I was just really doing it for myself. You know, self-therapy and really trying to collect yourself, and as you're going through growing pains, um, you know everyone needs an outlet in some way, shape or form, and thought poetry was mine and then, um, I remember a friend of mine.

Speaker 2: 4:58

He decided he saw some of my work and he said you know, why don't you share this? It could be relatable to to a lot of other people's and it's good. I never really thought about it at first to share it, just because you know poetry like it's like almost like a journal. Right, it's personal. So it starts off personal and then I kind of grew it to to be a little more widespread.

Speaker 2: 5:21

But initially it was very personal and you know, like anyone, they don't want to share their inner feelings or thoughts and mindset because of judgment or or just lack of understanding, and that's really what it comes down to. And so, you know, after some time I thought about, I said you know what, let me, let me do it. So I went on an open mic stage at art bar in toronto and I just shared it. And you know, ever since then it's been continuing very, very good.

Speaker 1: 5:47

Now you know when I, when I looked up your profile and I saw that, yes, beyond poetry, you have this flair for storytelling and I like, okay, let's get to know it. What is the relationship between poetry and storytelling from your perspective?

Speaker 2: 6:08

yeah, that's a great question, um, for me, um, the art of poetry is tied to storytelling. So for me, you know, there's different ways to do poetry. There's abstract and there's, you know, rhythmic, and then there's purposeful and there's maybe more direct. I like to do all of them really, but I love storytelling myself because I listen to music, you know, hip hop, r&b and jazz and the blues and stuff, and that tells a story through music, you know, and beats, and so through that, if you're creative enough and I've always been creative, ever since I was a child, and so you know, I know I draw and stuff like that, and so I've always had this creativity to me but storytelling is, is is important because you know it pulls people in. It. Gravity, people gravitate to a story they can tie into, tie onto, but also that they're, they're emotionally invested. Now they want to see where this story is going.

Speaker 2: 7:07

That's why a lot of people love those dramas and thrillers or soap operas, because it's, it's storytelling that that pulled them in and now they captivated them and now they're going through this journey of the ups and downs you know, hopefully get to get to an end at some point, if ever, and um, and that's why it's important, because it tells, like I said, it tells a story from start, middle and ending, and with my poetry there's definitely pieces that I have that storytelling aspect. Whether it's a, it's a story about a relationship or story about family or even some abstract um ideas, but there's still kind of a flow to it and there's a start, middle and the end okay, before I come back to the storytelling, I wanted to look at your style of poetry.

Speaker 1: 7:50

Where can we trace it to like? Is it shakespearean, is it mc20, or where exactly?

Speaker 2: 7:57

ah, that's a good question. I never really thought about it. Um, it's probably it's spoken word poetry, right? So it's. It's more rhythmic, like hip hop style, I would say because that's definitely where the influence probably comes from. But you know there's different types. You know a lot of my art started. I started as that, but there's different styles. Now.

Speaker 2: 8:21

Now there's you know a different approach, maybe some Shakespeare in there. I don't really think about that part of it, to be honest. I just kind of write and whatever kind of flows. Naturally it'll come out the way it comes out, and sometimes it's storytelling. Sometimes it's abstract and then sometimes, to be honest, sometimes you start something and it just finds itself through the through the process and whatever the end product is. It is what it is yeah, organically just finds itself.

Speaker 1: 8:47

You know, because I I did listen, as in I went on youtube to listen to some of your uh poems and all that and what the feel I got there was more of the hip-hop style, you know, when you listen to somebody like tupac, charco and uh, biggie smalls and all of that, and and that was what I, that was what I got from this. So you're more or less I would say you're more into the black thing. If I want to say that.

Speaker 2: 9:11

Sure, yeah, you can say that it sounds funny the way you say it. But yeah, no, definitely hip-hop has been a big pillar of my life, for sure, just growing up in the neighborhoods I grew up in and the people I've been surrounded with and great friends and family. You know, hip-hop has been influential all over the world, for sure, and so definitely my tupac is one of my favorite artists of all time and he, you know he has the storytelling aspects, but definitely I take some from that.

Speaker 2: 9:37

Yeah, but really what my my art really does, the poetry is, it's thought-provoking. I want to evoke emotion and I want you to be engulfed in the poem. Whether you're listening to it, watching it, reading it, listening to it. Whatever the case is, whatever your channel is, I want you to just be engulfed and let it marinate in your mind marinate in your mind.

Speaker 1: 10:04

So why do you? Because again, we have some poets who just do poetry without sound, you know, and they flow. Why some can't flow, so to say without the ability, I mean the help of sound. And I see that you deal with more, more with words and sound.

Speaker 2: 10:26

You know why that so you know, actually it's a good question. So when I first started, um, I didn't have any music, no sound, nothing. It was just me and a microphone and it was cool. It was cool because it got the the message across. But then, um, I remember my, my friend, my boy that I grew up with.

Speaker 2: 10:44

He is actually a rapper from toronto, a brown boy, okay and uh he's dope and he actually told me he's the first one to say you know your poem, your poetry is good. Add some music to it. Add some music in the background. Doesn't have to be like hip-hop, it could be you know, some melody, some jazz, some instrumental, something easy that you like. That's soothing to you. And I thought about it. I said let me try it, and I and I tried it and I loved it and I thought.

Speaker 2: 11:09

You know, with sound you can play, you can be a little more creative, because sometimes I'll let the music kind of start and then I'll come in, or I'll just have a poem and then the music will come at the end and it will take you there and so I think the music just helps the listener, take them in a different space, as opposed to just. You know me speaking. I don't, I don't, I don't want to come off as a lecturer you know what I mean.

Speaker 2: 11:36

Sometimes you kind of lecturing or preaching, I feel you yeah and so with the music aspect, it could be entertaining as well, and so you know once he told me that I did it and I fell in love with that process, and so I I don't think I'll I have done pieces since without music, but the ones with music for me are more of my favorite ones, for sure wow.

Speaker 1: 11:55

So there's this jump, so to say, as in your energy comes alive and you feel that, uh, the virus, so to say, going through, yeah, you caught the the virus Exactly.

Speaker 2: 12:08

Yeah, it's like if you ever watch a movie and there's like a scary scene is about to start, there's music to indicate that something of a dramatic effect is going to happen. And the same thing with some of my poems. I'll put in, you know, maybe a happier instrument or music, and then I'll give you the more of a mood of happy poetry, and then one that's a little more dark, or ones that are more, a little bit somber.

Speaker 2: 12:32

So the emotions kind of tie in with the poetry itself and what I feel the music can add to it wonderful.

Speaker 1: 12:39

So now let's let's take a look at the impact of what you've been doing. You know, within this space, say I know you've been doing. You know, within this space, say I know you've been out there for more than a year or two. So how would you rate it, the impact of what you've been doing?

Speaker 2: 12:55

Yeah, I think there's been a lot of good, a good reaction to my poetry. You know I released a book recently.

Speaker 1: 13:02

Okay.

Speaker 2: 13:02

So it's been. Yeah, the book is called Poetry is Motion, Mind, Body and Soul, and really it talks about everything to do with life, family, friends, life itself, relationships, you know, self-therapy, self-love, growth and the struggles with that, and so I think a lot of people liked it because it was relatable, One you can feel and hear and watch or listen to the authenticity of it. But there's also some emotional intensity to it, right? Poetry is really known to be raw and intense, and really I want to evoke emotion from the readers and listeners. So creating that powerful connection between the poetry and the piece and the audience is key, and so that's really what I tried to do with this book.

Speaker 2: 13:55

And you know I didn't want to write a book that was going to be 100 pages and 200 pages just because one poetry is very heavy.

Speaker 2: 14:03

You know, if you really are a very self-reflective person, you know if you really are a self-reflective person, you more or less are going to sit with some pieces and let it marinate in your mind and think about it.

Speaker 2: 14:16

Even for me to write a poem, it takes sometimes months to write, right, Sometimes I can do it in a couple of minutes, or, you know, a couple hours, maybe a couple of days, but sometimes it takes months and weeks and years not years, but months, you know, sometimes years actually, and it's just because of the topic itself and it's so heavy and you don't know where your thoughts go and you have to construct in a way that flows, but also it is sending a message and so there's obstacles with that. So I always want to be insightful, have my perspective, but I want to be real and raw and authentic and I want to give the people that realness and so I think that's what's made a bigger impact from those listeners and watchers and readers, with poetry as motion, mind, body and soul. And so the book has been receiving a lot of praise and positive reaction, thankfully the impact of what you've been doing.

Speaker 1: 15:11

You know your poetry, your storytelling, what. What has it been like within the borders of canada and beyond?

Speaker 2: 15:17

yeah. So, like I was saying the, the impact from what I've seen and heard is very positive, because the book speaks on multiple factors of the human experience and I think you know the way I deliver is very real and authentic and it's raw. Poetry is a heavy thing and so when you're reading poetry or watching or listening to it, if you're a very self-reflective person, you're going to take in some poetry and let it sit with you and you're going to think about it, you know, and in and think about. Even for me, writing it, sometimes it takes, you know, sometimes it takes minutes, sometimes it takes hours, days, weeks, months, even years. So if I'm taking, if it's taking me six months to write it, I don't imagine you taking six seconds to read it and then absorbing it, and that's it right.

Speaker 2: 16:07

It takes time even to think about certain poems that maybe evoke some emotion while you're reading it. Maybe it makes you cry.

Speaker 2: 16:14

Maybe it makes you laugh, maybe it makes you think about your life, and I always wanted to do that. So the impact that I've seen so far has been quite positive. And I also wrote the book to ensure that it wasn't going to be 100, 200 poems, because that's a lot to digest. It's just a lot to that. Even for me as a poet it's a lot. So I want to give a digestible amount where you can talk about different topics or read about different topics and sit with it and go back to it if you need to.

Speaker 2: 16:43

But yeah, it's been great positive reactions so far. I'm happy with it.

Speaker 1: 16:50

Beautiful, amazing. So what has been your biggest stage? You know, since you started as a poet and within this space, what has been your biggest stage biggest stage?

Speaker 2: 17:01

the biggest stage is probably in toronto um at the drake hotel, but I've performed quite a bit of places. I've been in New York not New York in Jersey, in Toronto, london, paris, vancouver, san Francisco and my favorite place actually probably Miami. Miami is probably my largest Other than Toronto Drake Hotel. It was Miami.

Speaker 1: 17:26

Beautiful, but do you have any plan of because, like you said, the musical aspect when it comes in, you have this kick and you flow. Do you? Do you think of doing something, a collaboration where your poetry really comes into the mainstream of hip-hop, and all of that?

Speaker 2: 17:44

yeah, that's a good question. I thought about it. You know, I'm not. I, if anything, I would just be a writer. I wouldn't want to perform it. I, I like to be behind the scenes, for sure. I like, I like, I like. I prefer writing than performing uh I have.

Speaker 2: 17:59

I have a little bit of stage fright for sure, so for me the writing that the creative process of creating, is my favorite part of it. Um, so I would definitely be open to collaborating with someone and just for me to be doing it on the writing side, not not in front of the camera okay, that's, that's.

Speaker 1: 18:17

That's not bad. So now considering, how would you look at the demography of your audience? Who are those who listen to you? Do you have an idea? Do you have this? Like you have the old, the young, or you have the millennials, or you have the baby boomers and all of that. Who are? Can you give us?

Speaker 2: 18:36

yeah, from what I've seen um my, my audience. Yeah, from the demographic, is probably 25 and up. Um that I've seen so far. It's's pretty global, you know South America, russia, australia, india, us and. Canada, of course, and London and Europe a little bit. So that's the demo I've seen so far, but I know it goes all the way up to Africa.

Speaker 1: 19:00

Africa is mission that you didn't call out, oh sorry, africa's in there too.

Speaker 2: 19:04

Actually, you know, it's most funny that it was South. Funny that it was south africa that I was getting okay, the most okay.

Speaker 2: 19:11

So definitely, uh, africa, I'm getting a little love from there, for sure, and I and I love them back, but, uh, yeah, no, that's my demo so far and you know, to be honest, I don't, I don't really cater to an audience, uh per se, I cater to poetry lovers or those that um are self-reflective and do want to. You know, I think a lot of it is learning about yourself and poetry is that right. So when you read something, I don't want you to read it or listen to it or watch it and say what was virus the poet thinking about when he wrote it. I want you to say, okay, I wrote this, I read this piece. What does it mean to me? How is it affecting me? How can I take this and relay it into my own life? You know?

Speaker 2: 19:51

And so that's where the relatability piece comes in.

Speaker 1: 19:53

Beautiful. So where are we going from here now?

Speaker 2: 19:58

That's a good question. Uh, so now it's a little more promotion for the book, just kind of getting that off the ground more and more. Um, definitely in the process of creating new pieces and hopefully, hopefully hit some new stages for sure in the new year. Um, maybe this year we'll see, but and then hopefully I'll ramp up to another book and we'll go from there so what was the title of the book?

Speaker 1: 20:19

yes, I need my audience to get to hear this, you know, get to know about this book and the title. What's the title of the book?

Speaker 2: 20:24

absolutely. The book name is poetry, is motion, mind, body and soul. You can get it at amazon. You can buy it all your local. You know bookstores you just have to request it.

Speaker 2: 20:36

But, yeah, definitely get your copy now. You will not regret it. It's, it's. You know, it's probably the the best 15, 20 dollars you ever spend, because you will have that book for a lifetime and you can read it repeatedly. You can, you know, you can dog ear your favorite pieces and go back to it. And you know, and I know, people that have bought it for friends and family and gifted it to others. So, again, the poetry is meant for you and it's meant for the audience. It's meant for listeners, readers, watchers that enjoy art, poetry, and you don't really have to love poetry to get this book. It's for anyone that likes to even read, because reading in itself you'll just learn so much. And why I always gravitate towards poetry myself? Because I'm a very reflective person. Why I always gravitate towards poetry myself? Because I'm a very reflective person.

Speaker 1: 21:28

And I like.

Speaker 2: 21:28

I want to learn more about myself and learn about more of myself in certain reactions, certain situations, but how I can also improve myself and better myself, and I think you know that's a, that's a life purpose, for me at least, and so I hope the, the, the listeners and readers and watchers, uh, you know, find some relatability in that.

Speaker 1: 21:50

Great guys We've been discussing with viral goal virus, the poet, and, uh, for the past 20 minutes it's been amazing Him just sharing with us his experience in poetry, with poetry, and now inviting us into that world to share and partake of this amazing, amazing, what I say life he has discovered and poetry. I think poetry is one thing that everybody relates with in one way or the other. It just catches your attention, be it the romantics, be it that piece that elevates you and all of that. But one thing I've come to see is that people are drawn to poetry. You know they are drawn to poetry. So how do you relax? I need to ask you that question. You know, for relaxation, what do you do?

Speaker 2: 22:43

You know, one of the best things that I always promote, that everyone should do, is travel. That's a way for that. I love to relax, because one you relax, you get to see different cultures, different sites and different sounds, um, but you learn, you grow, you, you find out things about yourself that you never knew, because you're always in your comfort zone, your little bubble right. So I always promote.

Speaker 2: 23:05

Like I know, one of my, one of my uh bucket list trips is to go to africa. Actually, let's go to serengeti and go through that, that experience and, you know, just doing different things that you wouldn't do out the norm, and so I always encourage and support anyone that wants to travel or does travel, because that that's one way why how I relax and how I enjoy life yeah, so that that's you.

Speaker 1: 23:30

I mean listening to you, seeing that the way you relax is traveling. For some that's that's huge work, you know, like it's it's, it takes a toll on you and all that, but that's the way you see it and well, that's good. That's good.

Speaker 2: 23:45

Well, let's talk about this way, right, you, you, everyone's working you work majority of life. But if you're always working. You know, there's even like scientific evidence that shows that when you spend money on experiences rather than material items, you are, you are going to feel better, and and when you feel better, you know you look better, you look more confident.

Speaker 2: 24:05

And when you feel better, you know you look better, you look more confident, and then you start glowing and then you start developing this self abundance that you could do things that you've not necessarily thought you could do before, and for me that has been travel. You know travel has been a direct link for happiness, success and positivity. And then just the growth, the mindset of learning, because you're digesting different cultures and different people and different musics and foods and stuff like that. So, and you're right, some people can't relax like that.

Speaker 2: 24:37

But I mean you can go to a beach and sit on a beach in a different country and relax, right, there's always a way to relax, whether that's sitting on a beach reading poetry is motion mind, body and soul on the beach, or going to a coffee store in london while it's raining and just reading virus the poet, mind, body and soul right. So there's always ways to relax and the way to do that is to buy the book poetry is motion. Get on amazon and that's the best way to relax all right, you're going to do me a favor now.

Speaker 1: 25:05

I want my audience to get a piece of that you know book. Can you give us one or two lines from it?

Speaker 2: 25:13

Absolutely. Give me one second here. All right, a good one for you guys. Oh, there's so many, there's quite a bit here.

Speaker 1: 25:27

Give me one. So we just wait for Virago he's trying to get one of his poems to read it to our hearing and for us to pick it up from there. He will agree with me when having an amazing time. You know, within the World Cafe podcast, this is what we are all about bringing amazing personalities, you know, sharing their stories with us, telling us about their own experience and inviting us into their world and to have that experience. And from the last thing he just said about the way he relaxes traveling yes, scientifically it's been proven, getting stocks is not like, cannot be compared to the experience you gain from traveling. Be compared to the experience you gain from traveling. What makes you feel, you know it improves your sense of what I say uh, living, you become so so, so, uh, relaxed and all of that.

Speaker 1: 26:36

So, guys, go ahead. Yes, you could take internal trips. Yes, within your location. All right, right, virus. The poet is back, he wants to give to us that piece. Go ahead, virus.

Speaker 2: 26:49

So I'll give you one that started very early for me and it's Circulating Travel, so we'll start with that one.

Speaker 1: 26:54

All right.

Speaker 2: 26:56

Let me know when you're ready.

Speaker 1: 26:57

Ready or not, here I come, go ahead.

Speaker 2: 27:03

What's life all about? Is it going to work? Then, coming home, straying about, go ahead other way around, as many turn, wave and say goodbye. So many sights and sounds, so many verbs and nouns. I try not to clown, but life is short, so laugh it up till your stomach aches as you hold your sighs with tears rolling down your eyes. It's the good kind wine and cheese. Imagine sitting by the eiffel tower enjoying a light breeze. Simply put there much to see. Why live to work when there's so much adventure for you to run and be? Work to live and your days will become that much less of a freeze Travel.

Speaker 1: 27:56

Travel. I like that. Just imagine that melancholic beat at the background.

Speaker 2: 28:05

Or something Right right right, you're flowing.

Speaker 1: 28:07

I love that. I love that. One more.

Speaker 2: 28:10

I got one more for you for sure.

Speaker 2: 28:12

Okay, so these all, you can buy the book and you can read it on your own accord. You can share with others. So I'll give you another one. True, this one's called Hope Springs. Don't ever let anyone knock your hustle. They don't know what you've been through, they don't see your muscles flexed and pulled in all directions. Stability is the intention, but all they see is the final product. Without hesitation, you are your own inspiration. Taken in strides to no avail. Sail to your destination and plant your flag. You have captured what you intended. Forget the jet lag. Iris the Poet.

Speaker 1: 28:52

You are. You are indeed the virus. I love them. I love them. Guys, go get that book. Honestly, as a writer myself, I do stops around poetry and all of that. I can relate to what you're talking about and it's very powerful. I encourage you guys, please go get this book. It's on Amazon, it's your local bookstores, I believe, yes, in Nigeria, within the Nigerian book space, we should have this. But I encourage you, go ahead, Go pick this book, Let us you know. Like Vargo said marinate, Let it sizzle.

Speaker 2: 29:39

Dwell in it.

Speaker 1: 29:41

Just take all the juice and everything and make your life beautiful. Go ahead.

Speaker 2: 29:47

I was just going to say that I like how you said that. So when you eat food, you don't want to eat bland food. You want some seasoning in it. You know you want more than just salt and pepper. You want some seasoning, some spice in it, some kick to it. That's what this does right.

Speaker 1: 30:02

Poetry at least poetry is motion gives you that, gives you that flavor, you know it gives you different types of flavors and you let it digest and you'll enjoy every taste you know amazing, and I and I like the title anyway, as in poetry is motion, like you move as you hear those words, as you read them. It bring this reading and all of that all around you. It's so beautiful, so beautiful. Vargo, I wish I could keep you here for forever, you know, to keep reading and all that. That, yeah, yeah, yeah, I I know I know you have other stuff to do too and also to create that awareness, that hunger within my audience and all of that you know. So, before, before I let you go, what's that desire, what's that dream within your heart, based on your work, that you want to see yes, would I use the word the legacy you want to leave behind?

Speaker 2: 30:55

yeah, so you know, that was actually one of the reasons I why I wrote a book versus just being I don't know, for lack of a better word an instagram poet, right?

Speaker 1: 31:04

you know there's a lot of poets on online, which is great.

Speaker 2: 31:06

There's a lot of poets online which is great. There's a lot of great content, but I want my legacy when I'm dead and gone. You know, people can go to the library or local bookstore or even Amazon or wherever, and find my book, because that book will live on forever and, hopefully, how I share it with people, they get a sense of they're not alone.

Speaker 2: 31:26

There's other people that are going through what I'm going through and that it's relatable and there's a way out or there's. You know, there's light at the end of the tunnel and that's what I want to, that's what I really want to leave behind and so hopefully, with this book, I do.

Speaker 1: 31:43

Guys, with this book you can also have that experience. You're not alone. Someone has gone through that path. You are in, so to say, now and he's on the other side and he's smiling at you. So go ahead, go ahead, go pick this book, go pick this book. You know how we do it. On the show, we always come into the space yes, the world cafe podcast. You know to lean on one another's experience and forge a positive path. And today we just received from val gore virus the poet, so much energy, you know. So don't sit still, go ahead and move.

Speaker 2: 32:21

Like you said, poetry is motion exactly, yeah, exactly and yeah, if you, if you know, if you are those listeners, just listening check out if you want, you know. If you're not really, uh don't believe to buy the book right away, go to virus the poetcom. There's a ton of my poems on there.

Speaker 2: 32:37

You go to my youtube, you can go to my social media, instagram, tiktok and there's a lot of poetry there for you to digest, almost like a trial run, if you really want to take it in first before you buy the book, but I guarantee you will not be disappointed you will not be disappointed.

Speaker 1: 32:51

Guys, go get the book. Go yes, relate with that material and, like I always say, it doesn't hurt. You know, if you support that vision, it doesn't hurt at all. Right, you know you give to that positive vision and you see it. You see it blossom, growing and you know, should I say, taking over that landscape and making life, what living amazing. Go get the book, yes. Poem, the motion by viral go, virus the poet. I love the way, I love the way you call your name, as in the way you coined it, virus the Poet, and it's beautiful, it's beautiful. So one last word from you to my audience.

Speaker 2: 33:34

Yeah, no, this was great. Thank you for allowing me to be on your platform. I know you have tons of listeners and to all you listening, thank you for listening and I hope you do at least even Google Virus the Poet, just to get your feet wet before you buy the book. And hopefully you get the book and you listen to it and you read it and even, if you like it, you're gifted to other people. But also, like you said, share it. It doesn't cost a single thing to share positive words, positive affirmations, positive messages and you're really, at the end of the day, you're helping someone. It may not be someone that you know personally, but you're helping someone out there that that you may not know they actually need the help more than you will ever know.

Speaker 1: 34:16

So that's what I'll do. Thank you so much. Guys. Let's receive, virus the poet within the space and just embrace, embrace his work, go ahead, share those positivity, share that positive energy to to encourage somebody out there. Thank you so much. You know, you know, you know we are always here to bring the best within words to you and to make you make your day, make you smile, make you happy, really challenge you to live, yes, and not just exist, till I come your way again.

Speaker 1: 34:53

Bye for now, bye ergo take care awesome time it has been with you on the World Cafe podcast today. Thank you for being there. You can catch me up on my social media handles Twitter, facebook, linkedin and Instagram, all at Amakri Isoboye. Also, you can get copies of my books A Cocktail of Words, the Color of Words by H Aaron Notebook and Hocus Pocus on God on Amazon and Roving Heights online bookstores. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel at the same address at Amakri Issawe. I'd love to hear from you and how this podcast has impacted you. You can leave me a message at my email address at macrigaribaldi at gmailcom. That is A-M-A-C-H-R-E-E-E-G-A-R-I-B-A-L-D-I. Yes, till I come your way again. Bye for now. You.