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Pure Poetry #3: Anis Mojgani

on February 23, 2011

Pure Poetry Week:

#1 - 2/23/2011 - Intro & Def Poetry Jam, by Riese
#2 - 2/23/2011 - Eileen Myles, by Carmen
#3 - 2/23/2011 - Anis Mojgani, by Crystal

Anis Mojgani is a Portland-based poet who ignited my love for spoken word and poetry slams. He is a genius, he speaks with passion and honesty that makes my heart leap.

I find myself enamored with every word that tumbles out of Anis' mouth, however there are 3 poems in particular that blow my mind: Direct Orders, Here I Am and Shake the Dust.

Watch Anis perform these poems below. You've been given a direct order to rock the fuck out.

Anis has also written two poetry collections, Over the Anvil We Stretch and The Feather Room.

16 responses to “Pure Poetry #3: Anis Mojgani”

Camille
February 24, 2011 at 12:31 am Permalink Reply

Great choice. My favorite Anis Mojgani piece is “Milos”. “I’m unbuttoning my shirt/painting a circle over my heart./Please/just shoot straight.” And this man recites with feeling.

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fuzzfurzann
February 24, 2011 at 2:33 am Permalink Reply

i am in awe. thank u crystal, thank u autostraddle.

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Maree (member)
February 24, 2011 at 7:17 am Permalink Reply Report user

Anis! I saw him years ago at the Cantab in Boston and he for reals changed my life.

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wallow (member)
February 24, 2011 at 8:21 am Permalink Reply Report user

“I was here, motherfucker, and ain’t none of y’all can write that in the spot that I just wrote it in.”

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Emma (member)
February 24, 2011 at 8:47 am Permalink Reply Report user

This was incredible. I loved every second.

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spit of love
February 24, 2011 at 9:20 am Permalink Reply

ooo thank you so much. I love him this is amazing and without this post I never would have known. Thanks!

H

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sshh
February 24, 2011 at 12:27 pm Permalink Reply

Dope.

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essi
February 24, 2011 at 1:18 pm Permalink Reply

shake the dust. oh god. the line “this is for the 2-year-olds that can’t be understood because they speak half English and half god.”

thank you ;_;

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riese (member)
February 24, 2011 at 1:43 pm Permalink Reply

i like how it’s got the energy of rock music

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Smiley (member)
February 24, 2011 at 2:10 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Omigosh omigosh omigosh this guy went to my college. He was a student of my poetry professor. BALLIN

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biensurmacherie (member)
February 24, 2011 at 4:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Anis performed at my college a couple of days ago and it was great. I had seen him on Youtube but in person he is so captivating. The auditorium was about 130 degrees and everyone stayed for two hours to hear him half-sing his poetry and make us laugh and cry.

This makes me happy.

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Alannah
February 24, 2011 at 8:34 pm Permalink Reply

Thank you so much for posting this. I am in awe.

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sophie
February 24, 2011 at 9:10 pm Permalink Reply

he came to my college with buddy wakefield and timmy straw last year. absolutely captivating.

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Nell
February 24, 2011 at 9:39 pm Permalink Reply

I’ve never heard of this guy before but I’m glad I have now. I’m also grateful for Autostraddle and the internet because I never would have heard of him otherwise.

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dc
February 25, 2011 at 12:49 pm Permalink Reply

Thank you for introducing me to Anis and thank you thank you thank you for this series.

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sarah b.
February 25, 2011 at 9:39 pm Permalink Reply

“shake the dust” is phenomenal. thank you so much for sharing this.

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