This week's Poet of the People is Tre Fleming aka Poetré. Tre is an insightful poet and spoken word artist known professionally as Poetré. A multi-talented performer from Columbia; you should check him out the next time he hits the stage.
Poetré is a writer, comedian, poet, film producer, and podcaster from Columbia, SC. His works are inspired by his love of hip hop, mental health, social commentary, and self reflection. In 2024. He represented Columbia, SC as a part of the Tribe Slam team in the annual Southern Fried Poetry Competition in Florida, as well as competed in his first King Of The South Slam. He can be found on IG, and TikTok under @PoetreIsLife and for business inquiries at Poetreislife@gmail.com.
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LIVING OUT LOUD
If I have to stand onstage and scream, I will.
Yes, my people have come a long way, but still.
This is about community, living in unity.
My country, my world, not just you and me!
I am a voice for the voiceless, ones not in the room
Ones who have passed on, and ones in the womb.
I am justice for those who feel like it's just us.
And my Tribe will fight, even if it's nobody but us.
We are a generation of speakers, activist, and thinkers.
Not longer waiting for the cue from our leaders.
We are about that action, standing on business
Waiting on the revolution to be televised?
This is the internet!
We want it instant.
We will put our foot on your necks, until you show us respect
No matter race, gender, religion, I need us to shout.
Cause no longer will the minority be quiet.
WE ARE LIVING OUT LOUD!
FACES IN THE STREET
The city is crowded, per usual.
Everyone busy in their own pursuit.
A homeless man asks for spare change, if possible.
A mother just got a call from her son in the hospital. A kid is lost.
He knows where he is, but not in life.
A man texts a woman that's not his wife.
Someone is late for their first day of work.
Just trying to make sure there were no wrinkles in his shirt.
Someone is just out for exercise.
Another person is smiling, but crying inside.
A couple is holding hands. They just got married.
A couple is holding hands. The wife just miscarried.
A girl scout is selling cookies, but people rarely stop.
A person is looking at a window of a store where they can't afford to shop.
A young teenager is looking for a place to stay.
The parents kicked him out because came out today.
A veteran is enjoying his first day home from war.
A lady holds her purse tight, cause she's been robbed before.
All these people around that I never get to meet.
Their stories untold. Just faces in the street.
BAD MEMORY
Remember when we first met?
It was on a day I'll probably forget.
It was raining,
Nope, it was sunny outside
Things get foggy as the days go by.
Remember that time we laughed till we cried?
Couldn't remember what was so funny, no matter how hard I tried.
Or how about that one trip you kept asking me to go?
I can't remember the name of the resort,
I just remember the snow.
Remember singing karaoke in front of everybody?
I forget what song we sang, but I remember you smiling.
Or when I tried comedy for the first time.
I remember you being so supportive, but what was the punchline?
Or what about the time we volunteered at the shelter?
I can't remember that one lady's name, but I'm glad we could help her.
I remember so many moments, I just forget some details.
I forget the exact words,
I even forget to make this rhyme.
So I'll make up for it some time.
I remember what is most important, not names, days, places, or what we wear.
I just ask that when you remember those times, don't forget that I was there.
HEAVEN
She looks like heaven
She's what angels sing about
She's what pastors scream and shout
She's my eternity
Cause being without her is hell to me
Those pair of eyes are paradise
And her smile cause from somewhere high
She's the reason why I sing
When she laughs, an angel gets his wings
On my mind, she's my halo
Her love is Gospel, cause she says so
Her voice makes me rejoice when I hear it
When I'm down, she's my spirit
She came from somewhere far above,
She's the world, she's my savior, she is Love
Everyone knows it, the choir, the deacon, the ushers, the reverend
I'll sacrifice everything,
Cause she looks like heaven
FIRST LOVE
The first time I fell in love was with a woman who loved other men before me.
Yet I was her first.
It took me a while to build myself up to meet her.
Even though she had fallen for me way before I could greet her.
See I was nothing but love.
I had to form into an entity from God before we could meet.
Because the pain that she went through to meet me was the gift with no receipt.
The first woman that held me in her arms was the first woman I loved.
I didn't pick a mother.
I was a choice she made and planned for.
And she prepared me for the women I would love.
What she did was traumatized me from light skinned girls!
Not, I'm just playing.
She taught me what love was through how she loved me and my siblings and to how she loved strangers.
She showed what caring about someone means in the late night phone calls, the 2 am Emergency room calls, one call from jail, the cosign on a student loan, the "hey I love you" texts at 11:42 on a Tuesday just because.
She taught me how to walk. Walk away from a fight that you don't need to win, walk away from a toxic relationship, walk away from a lie, and walk away with my head held high.
She taught me how to talk. Like literally talk. I could read before preschool. I am able to articulate what I want, how I want, to who I want. No just talking. She taught me how to speak. She taught me how to say something.
She taught me unconditional love.
She taught me was hustling was.
She taught me how to save.
And who not to save.
She never pushed my father out of my life.
She proved she'd never disrespect my wife.
I can never thank her enough.
And even though the roads been rough,
She's still my first love.