Masterful, riveting performances of lyric, rhythm and rhyme.

Joined onstage by four dancers, multidisciplinary artist Tunde Olaniran smolders through a set of songs powered by experimental electronic beats.

To cut through the noise and disconnection of an increasingly digital world, poet William Sieghart proposes a centuries-old tool for connection - poetry. In this talk, he describes how the language of poetry can offer comfort in a time of isolation.

"We're all going to die -- and poems can help us live with that." In a charming and funny talk, literary critic Stephen Burt takes us on a lyrical journey with some of his favorite poets, all the way down to a line break and back up to the human urge to imagine.

One night in 2002, a friend gave Jorge Drexler the chorus to a song and challenged him to write the rest of it using a complex, poetic form known as the "Décima." In this fascinating talk, Drexler examines the blended nature of identity, weaving together the history of the Décima with his own quest to write one. He closes the talk with a perform...

As an immigrant, writer Juliana Delgado Lopero learned early that not all English is created equal, her accented speech defined and policed by peers and authority figures alike. She urges us to instead celebrate the creative uses of language that spring from our individual and cultural experiences.

Keenan Scott Il's passion for words, stories and superheroes fueled his journey to becoming a celebrated playwright, producer, director and actor. Showing how language can illuminate the superhero in all of us, Scott performs three spoken word pieces that seamlessly weave together literary devices like simile, assonance and slant rhyme, sharing ...

In a captivating, poetic ode to the beauty and strength of mixed languages, writer Julián Delgado Lopera paints a picture of immigrant and queer communities united not by their refinement of language but by the creative inventions that spring from their mouths. They invite everyone to reconsider what "proper" English sounds like – and imagine a ...

David Whyte writes at the intersection of interior and exterior worlds, what he calls the conversational nature of reality, bringing new territory into view with his distinctly personal style.

If you read a poem and feel moved by it, but then find out it was actually written by a computer, would you feel differently about the experience? Would you think that the computer had expressed itself and been creative, or would you feel like you had fallen for a cheap trick? In this talk, writer Oscar Schwartz examines why we react so strongly...

Poet C.K. Williams reads his work at TED2001. As he colors scenes of childhood resentments, college loves, odd neighbors and the literal death of youth, he reminds us of the unique challenges of living.

"It's said that to be a poet, you have to go to hell and back." Cristina Domenech teaches writing at an Argentinian prison, and she tells the moving story of helping incarcerated people express themselves, understand themselves — and glory in the freedom of language. Watch for a powerful reading from one of her students, an inmate, in front of a...

Poets and doctors both save lives, just in different ways. World-champion slam poet Harry Baker shares the heartache of forfeiting the path of medicine for a self-guided career in poetry and writing. This talk is an ode to choosing to be different, woven through two poems that sing with universal truth. While he won't help the world by becoming ...

In an ode to the Persian language, author Leili Anvar unfurls the work of 13th-century mystic poet Rumi and reflects on how poetry gives meaning to our lives.

Young poet, educator and activist Malcolm London performs his stirring poem about life on the front lines of high school. He tells of the "oceans of adolescence" who come to school "but never learn to swim," of "masculinity mimicked by men who grew up with no fathers." Beautiful, lyrical, chilling.

For anyone who believes poetry is stuffy or elitist, Amanda Gorman -- the youngest inaugural poet in US history -- has some characteristically well-chosen words. Poetry is for everyone, she says, and at its core it's all about connection and collaboration. In this fierce talk and performance, she explains why poetry is inherently political, pays...

Artificial intelligence researcher Laura Caccia describes how people around the world are reshaping the form and definition of poetry using source code. Using an example of her own work, she suggests that this mingling of beauty and functionality in language and technology is a welcome augmentation of an art form that has already been evolving f...

A romantic and a revolutionary, Pablo Neruda was one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, but also one of the most accessible and controversial. Originally written in Spanish, his poems often use straightforward language and everyday experience to create lasting impact. Ilan Stavans traces the life and legacy of the Chilean poet. [D...

Ever heard the phrase "Those who can't do, teach"? At the Bowery Poetry Club, slam poet Taylor Mali begs to differ, and delivers a powerful, 3-minute response on behalf of educators everywhere.

In his influential poetry criticism, Stephen Burt links the contemporary with the classical, pinpoints new poetry movements, and promotes outstanding little-known poets.

This animation is part of the TED-Ed series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. [Poem by Denice Frohman, directed by KAPWA / Robertino Zambrano, music by Bamm Bamm Wolfgang].

Taylor Mali is one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and one of the few people in the world to have no job other than that of poet.

Performance artist and storyteller Rives has been called "the first 2.0 poet," using images, video and technology to bring his words to life.

Reggie Watts' beats defy boxes. Unplug your logic board and watch as he blends poetry and crosses musical genres in this larger-than-life performance.

In this whimsical talk and performance, musician and comedian Elle Cordova ponders what happened before the Big Bang. She’s then joined by guitarist Toni Lindgren for the original song “Carl Sagan,” exploring social media, human connection and how we’re all just reaching out like stars in the night sky.

Would you kill for a pair of Air Jordans? Lemon Andersen spins a tale of someone who did, reciting a poem by Reg E. Gaines. These verses taught Lemon that poetry could be about more than self-expression, and could sound like music when given rhythm and infused with the grit of the New York streets around him.

Sarah Kay shares "Miles from Any Shoreline," a poem about "wandering the streets of Bewilderville" and "picking up when the universe calls."

"Bask in the majesty of the kinks on the crown of my head," begins poet and activist Apiorkor Seyiram Ashong-Abbey. Rich with lyricism, rhythm and strength, she delivers a powerful hymn to self, womanhood and fearlessness. Accompanied on guitar by Emmanuel Nii Quaye Aryee.

In his poem "The Coming Out Beauty," Muslim Sahib invites us along on his journey of self-love and self-acceptance, weaving together elements of culture, family, beauty and queerness. He compels the audience to proclaim "I am beautiful," encouraging them to celebrate self-love. In his second piece, "419 sq ft," he explores the experience of clai...

"The universe has already written the poem you were planning on writing," says Sarah Kay, quoting her friend, poet Kaveh Akbar. Performing "A Bird Made of Birds," she shares how and where she finds poetry.