Next Man Up, Poetry in Motion

Wesley Knight 0:00
This is a KU NV studios original program. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Here we go. Here we go. Move it. Move it. Move it.

Donavan LeDean 0:22
The beautiful, next man up.

Donavan LeDean 0:40
Hello World and welcome to the show. I am your host. Donna Billy Dean, actor, author and inspirational rhythmic poet. Get out tune in to next minute poetry in motion, where the mission is to promote good mental health for everyone. This poetry show will motivate, educate and inspire you with spoken word, through cultural expression. We have a special guest today, the unknown. Otis, spoken word artist residing in Las Vegas, Nevada and a retired Army veteran. He is making huge waves in the Vegas valley, telling his story, speaking his truth. Otis, my brother, thank you for being here. Oh yeah. Appreciate you. Thanks for having me first and foremost before we dive into our discussion, I would like to recognize you by saying thank you for your service. Appreciate it most definitely. So what inspired you to pick up the pen and begin writing poetry?

The Unknown Odist 1:30
So about 20 some odd years ago, I used to do music. I used to write music and perform music. And around about that time, I think this was around 2000 I heard a guy that goes by the name of poet, a spoken word artist that goes by the name of black ice. He was on fabulous his, I believe, first album, if I'm not mistaken, and I had never heard anybody speak poetry in that way. And it really I never forgot him. And ever since, I've been a fan of his. And I always wanted to get into spoken word since that day, but I was doing music, so you know, fast forward about 2004 is when I got into spoken word from that so, yeah,

Donavan LeDean 2:11
okay, you're a military veteran. You've mentioned about yourself, as well as other soldiers who have suffered through a mental health crisis, right? Elaborate on your mental health journey while serving in the military as well as transitioning into civilian life,

The Unknown Odist 2:29
okay, um, I mean, obviously coming, you know, coming from, like, inner city, going into the military. And when I went in, it was the be, all you can be Armin, you know. And there were no deployments going on, you know, people kind of joined because they felt like the world maybe was bigger than where they were from. That's how I felt. But 2003 we got deployed, deployments, you know, Iraq, Afghanistan started. I got deployed three times to Iraq. There's a storm, no

The Unknown Odist 3:00
enduring freedom. So this was like, Yeah, this is like, oh, three so, so operation doing freedom. And you know, three times, one, you know, all a year, once for 15 months. So you see, you just see a lot of stuff that you never thought you would. And most people, when they join the military, don't think, especially at that time, don't think there is going to be a war for real, and we're going to really have to go and see stuff and do stuff. Unfortunately, with me, in 2003 I lost a battle buddy, a friend of mine. He was like a brother. We did everything together one day, you know, to make a long story short, he went left. I went right. I came home that night, he didn't and we got the news. I broke down like I lost my literal brother, you know. And I remember walking into the desert, sitting on a rock. And, you know, this might sound like dramatic or whatever, but I went, found the rock, sat down, and I cried like I like I lost my real brother, and that next morning, I remember waking up, and I woke up crying, which never had happened in my life. From that day, I never really forgot it. But when you go through stuff like that, it's a lot of it's other things that happen too. But when you go through things like that, and that was my first initial being in a war zone and somebody that I was really close to, you know, not making it. You have to still go through the rest of your deployment. You have to still get up every day. You still have to still show up every day. And I was a leader at that time, and you got to show up for the people that you're in charge of, you know. So you got to find a way so mentally that plays a huge toll on you, because that's not, it's not natural for people to go through losses in that way and don't and not really have real time to mourn.

Donavan LeDean 4:54
So well, I share my condolences. Oh, yeah. Most definitely appreciate you. Um. I had the pleasure of seeing you perform your poetry at an open mic event called right about now, which was last year October, yes, and in the Vegas valley, and speaking your truth, yet standing on business, highlighting the inequalities and injustices occurring within our society, in the land of democracy, we're witnessing a form of martial law right take place as the US National Guard troops deploy in major cities. Ice has become the major headline, from unlawful detainment of US citizens to controversial fatal shootings right this year, in 2026 alone, and this is only we're only in the month of January, there have been a total of 10 people killed by ICE agents. A second fatal shooting have recently occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, of a Nourse caused by ice right as a military vet who vowed to protect and serve under the US Constitution. What are your thoughts on the mayhem that's occurring in these streets on American soil?

The Unknown Odist 6:11
So first off, my heart goes out to all the families man that had to deal with, you know, ice and the occupation of their cities in the way that they're doing, but the way that I feel about ice in general is I do feel like, in my opinion, they are a legalized terrorist organization. That's how I feel. You know, I've always been like a really outspoken person, even in the military, they I had a lot of my command that just didn't like me, because I was, you know, I knew how to use my rank, and I felt like for good. But um, so with this situation, I think they are legalized terrorist organization. I know they could do good. They choose not to, and they have the backing of a authoritarian administration. So, you know, I feel like it's unwarranted. It shouldn't be happening. It's extremely racist and prejudice because they're only targeting a certain demographic. But a lot of people choose to let people tell them what they see, versus looking with their own eyes.

Donavan LeDean 7:14
And I've seen incidents where ice would confront individual because they had accent. They were asked them since, Okay, since you have accent, are you? Are you an American citizen, right?

The Unknown Odist 7:25
Right? Incidents like that, right? And that's wild, because, you know, in traveling the United States, I know I lived in a lot of states, right? And I've traveled to different countries as well. And you know, some states I've been in had large immigrant populations from European nations. But why are we not looking for any of them, you know? So when people try to act like it's not what it is, you know, like it is most of what you know, what it is. So I'm against it 100% I think it could be, it could be done a whole lot better. And I think is really doing a disservice, you know, everybody that's important is really doing a disservice to the community. Any community and the United States.

Donavan LeDean 8:04
Most definitely, before you go, I would like for you to share a poem for us. Oh, yeah, ready? I'm ready. All right. King, talk to him.

The Unknown Odist 8:11
All right. So this is called life. A lot of my poetry is about life. So this one poem kind of sums it up. Life don't come with a manual, just scandals and sandals on paths that burn like candles. We gamble with fate like Vegas. Nights fight our reflections like shadows with rites. Ingest wisdom from old heads that never chewed slow. I grew though through potholes and plot holes and folks that got goals but stopped cold when dreams felt like frostbite. I tossed light and dark spaces and spark stages with truth, because life ain't a sprint, it's a loop, a fruit that ripens with bruises, a fuse lit by losses that win if you use it. And that's life powerful

Donavan LeDean 8:54
the unknown. Notice. Thank you for your time. Absolutely. The poets that will be featured on our playlist today are Chelsea Moray, Luna shy Moro, the unknown, Otis Jess Flo Liz, Prince Sheldon, Alex Sebastian, Stefan, Pettway, Zachary, Gutierrez, loved by ACE, blessing Jenny you Dean, Amira and moody black. Now let's get on with the show. This is next man up, poetry in motion. Here we go. Here we go. Next Man Up. Up.

Speaker 3 9:29
Nervous heart, I'm trying to find a way try to curve and say, couldn't do it now, breaking

Speaker 3 9:42
down. Go

Donavan LeDean 9:55
in with a fresh mind and a pure heart. Mistakes were made. Go in with a fresh start the. Offices is today. The uncertainty is tomorrow. I live another day that's success. Time is borrowed. Cartages on a regular another family has seen grief. Mikes were caught off still to Tennessee. Three were able to speak from the crying girl and dying boy slain by assault styles too many bullets to avoid. Pray for them as they attempt to fight for a law made for all, as they attempt to prevent another body to fall. History in the making, yet in the midst of infamy, they're setting aside politics for human safety, making enemies Your vote can avoid the way your tears, Your vote can avoid the maybe and pull it. What it got to be unprecedented as we witness the headlines of an indictment as the rich make more money on merch poses as victims, inciting another riots never quiet. The problem is online us, borders like refugees, after Roe v Wade reversed, more women are escaping rare states like refugees, more protest industries like helpers please and dire need of open minds and clear views, so that one day women's universal health care making headlines on CNN news is breaking down. Exhale, PRAY, WAIT for it. Peace never came. Now, beware our man force bound to take the Republic. God bless us, as we fight for peace on earth, as mankind kills one another to gain more turf, for drugs, for crops, for money, for clout. Urgent message, human to human, heart to heart, change your route for a fresh start. Let's get to it.

Donavan LeDean 11:37
Next man up. Before we go, I would like for you to share a poem for us. Ready?

Amira 11:51
Amira, talk to him. I am 16, not grown, but let me tell you what's got me messed up. I've met tons of adults who tell me to stay in my place and treated me like I was grown before I had the capacity to know it was wrong, teachers that told me about their life struggles when all I wanted to do was get to the next page of the book. This isn't a poem. I'm telling you my grievances. I was in middle school when people talk to me like I was an adult, then told me to watch my tone. And I appreciate the transparency, but I wish they wouldn't shut up. They were grown. Who do you think you are? Telling me what you think all the other students have if you're not licensed, you shouldn't diagnose and no offense, I don't care if you're depressed when I'm trying to learn equations and want to go home. Keep it professional. A middle schooler doesn't need to know what you've got going on at home. It's insensitive, I know, but do you feel my anger? An adult told me that I remind him of his brother days later in a conversation, just to find out that man hates the same person he compared me to. So what was he really trying to tell me and excuse my lack of grace, but I'm done playing nice. A lot of people thought it meant that they could share things with me, and just because I was listening does not mean I wanted to be there. I was too young to know how to say I'm uncomfortable, and just because I'm concise does not mean I'm free. Therapy. Communication is key till you forget there are limits to what you can share with me. For every adult that crossed my boundaries, get a grip and let me be clear with you, figure it out yourself. I am no longer playing games with you. Ask your psychiatrist for a remedy or just do your job. Are you incompetent or pushing limits on purpose? You may think I'm disrespectful, but I'm not talking out of the side of my neck. If I'm supposed to say in a child's place, you stay in the dolls and let that line be set.

Speaker 5 14:09
Next man up. Presents. Chelsea Murray, Queen tauto Here we go. Here we go. Next man up.

Speaker 6 14:17
There's a man, and I swear God carved his name into my soul, long before I learned to pray, he walks like he got God in his stride, like peace. Found a forever in His bones, and every time he laughs, the world hushes just to listen. Loving him feels like home and awakening like the divine in me bows to the divine in him. This ain't your story book, white picket fence. Kind of love. This is that hood love, the concrete rose bulletproof heart, kind of love, the kind of love that smells like cocoa butter and late night drive through fries. Kind of love, see, I. Met him, where pain and prayers became neighbors, somewhere between this life and the last, not in the flesh first, but in frequency, like my soul recognized his tongue before my hands ever touched his skin, not desire but recognition, like our spirits have been circling each other for lifetimes, waiting for this exact collision. We don't do fancy dates. We do drive bys of the moon, windows down, hands intertwined, his voice humming peace over pain, and I swear the star has been closer every time he says, My name. This is the kind of love the church doesn't preach about, but the ancestors smile over because they know what it is. It's Divine Alignment in Nike, slides and tattoos. It's angels and air forces. It's spirit and struggle learning how to hold hands and call it forever, because this love, it ain't from this world. It's heaven in a hoodie, God in a gold chain, eternity in the eyes of a man who came from nothing and still gives me everything. So I don't curse the circumstance. Thank the divine for allowing me to touch eternity, even if only in silence, some love ain't meant to be only experienced. And this one, this one feels like God wrote it in the stars and then trusted in my heart to read it out loud,

Unknown Speaker 16:36
next man or Dave,

The Unknown Odist 16:38
the parachute release I returned to the land below, but something new to give but nothing new to see. It feels swell to return sturdy land in two feet, but it doesn't feel fine. What is wrong with me? I guess I'd rather spend time up high with the clouds in the sky than among the rest of us, where I'm from, which I came, where I went, where I've been, how it feels like better off? Is it wrong? If it is, prepare the ship. I'm going back.

Unknown Speaker 17:09
I'm going back. Next man up.

The Unknown Odist 17:14
Be delusional. Be delusional, like skyscrapers, dreaming they can scrape the sky like rivers, thinking they can drown the tide like seeds in the cracks of sidewalks that believe they'll become forests despite concrete lies be so bold that logic takes a backseat, like shoes with no souls, still running their streets like hunger, gnawing at The bones of defeat, but still feasting on the thought that destiny can taste sweet. They'll call you crazy. Say you're building castles on quicksand, say you're chasing shadows with open hands, but tell them the moon only lights up the night because it's stubborn enough to steal the sun's spot. Be delusional like poets. Who think words can change the world laugh in the face of practicality, like fireflies flirting with eternity, like gravity trying to hold down the wings to the ground, but the wings just laugh and keep on flapping around like hope Screaming louder than doubt, like fear knocked out by a dream too stubborn to sit down be delusional like stars that refuse to fall, like soldiers training in snow, sleep rain because they're too insane to believe that obstacles means stop. Speak your visions out loud, like prophets with no followers, but stories got endless crowds. They'll say it's impossible, but impossibility is just a dare thrown down by reality to see if you care, to see if you fold or fight. So be delusional. Be the Phoenix before the flame, the lion before the war, the champion, even when bruised and sore, be the impossible, the improbable, the reckless soul who broke through the mold, just to prove that some stories Can't

Unknown Speaker 19:22
you Here we go. Here we go. Next man up. You ready? Let me get ready.

Speaker 6 19:37
I don't clock in. I lock in, tapped into frequencies. Most folks don't even notice I'm bilingual in meltdown plus motion, fluid and silence and devotion. They see tantrum. I see sensory overload. They see picky eater. I see protecting peace from chaos on the plate. They see nonverbal I see a universe of thoughts The world ain't even earn the privilege to translate. They try to speak for him instead of. To him. Speak as him. They assume silence means confused, like I choose words for him. Stop seeing disability. Start seeing possibilities. Autism isn't a misprint. It's a difference. Brilliant. I'm the translator, interpreter, advocate, navigator, therapist, teacher, researcher, educator, appointments on calendars. Patience and stamina, balancing meltdowns, holding space, holding stamina. IEP meetings, where they judge what he's lacking while I subtract their assumptions and multiply backing, proving daily that growth ain't measured in talking. Some babies speak words. MAN SPEAKS energy when they walking. His silence ain't empty. It's full, full of galaxies and meaning, full of brilliance. They keep missing, full of everything. They don't need permission. They label my baby. Don't label my fight. Don't label the journey. When you can't handle the light. The ancestors didn't sign us to be easy. He assigned us to be legendary, believe me, thank you.

Speaker 7 20:53
Next man up. Helen Jones, one at sea. Can I achieve hope all by myself when I'm far off, almost lost in causing waves, in causing waves, almost lost when I'm far off all by myself. Can I achieve hope?

Speaker 5 21:25
And next man up. Presents shy Moro, Queen tauto, here we go. Here we go. Next man up.

Speaker 8 21:36
Hello everyone. My name is Shayan shargalov. My friends and family calls me shy. Thank you for having me. Today, I'm going to read my poetry. This one is called My Mirror, mirror on the wall. Why did I hate you before I was so tired of seeing the reflection of what I felt myself insecure Mir, how can one ever love you when you don't love themselves? I couldn't I had to face myself. I had to face you. Mir, you're broken from being punts. I no longer see myself, but yet I still see you, empty, black space, pathetic you, I believe, to dance and to walk, but to meet you again me, but in love of you. I love myself. I want you my mirror to drop colors onto my skin like melted crayons. I want you my mirror to caress down your words my poetry, hold the words that create you, to hold you up and to be strong my mirror and to look at myself, I know I'm strong and that I'm an art and that I want to love myself, my mirror, my Artist. Name is, you can find me on Instagram

Speaker 5 23:02
next man up. Presents, Luna Queen tauto Here we go. Here we go. Next man up.

Speaker 9 23:10
Self doubt once appeared to be a prison I couldn't escape from, like being trapped in the labyrinth of my mind with only the echo of my fears repeating every lie I told myself, repeating in an endless loop of suffering with every challenge and weighted ache in my chest, I carried all this pain on knowing how to release so I carried it all until it became so undeniable that loving myself was no longer optional. Instead, it showed me where I needed love the most, reminding myself that I was capable of so much more than my fears allowed me to see. My mind is a weapon, but I no longer turn it against myself. I let pain instruct me without defining me. Growth did not feel gentle, and discomfort became my teacher. That is how I learned to grow when love is louder than my wounds. Next man up,

Speaker 2 24:15
coexisting in many realms of thought, a walk in prayer, meditation, I can't evade frequencies. I can't explain speak to me. And wisdom's name, I've been on that resonance before. They coined it. Schumann's Babylon. Can't control me. I broke out the show like I was Truman, the human programmed analytics can't measure the spirit, thus they can't fully study us at this point, disappearing. Know thyself. Mental, physical and etheric lyrics, tap into your central node. To the soul. You can feel it. Sit in the sun, download codes. I can hear them. There's a natural mystic flowing on Mother Nature's by a real. Them, get on beat, connect with every single living organism, like ancestors before these evil ways of the system walking the less traveled road. I and I have seen many visions, many nights, sitting still, yet still I listen. Guidance enters the vessel with pure precision, a choice to make daily. Why do we wrestle right decisions, tussling with the test illusions, carrying us away from the way we already know what's best. Come back home, beloved, you no longer have to beat an eagle's chest. Perch inside like an eagle in its nest followers Cliff dive into the next trend since the you always been taking heed to the riddles the elders were attesting. Now I'm years ahead with good investment. Just bump my head a little less than nonetheless, an imperfect perfection, a walk in prayer, avid meditator, realms of thought between each I'm a mediator, a metaphor of sorts, seeing obstacles as sport. I must master Slow and steady wins the race. I learned that in the beginning chapters of a book without middle or end, life goes on again and again. I write on and on with my mind as my ink and my soul as my

Donavan LeDean 26:34
before we go, I would like to conclude with a power message. It's a message about isolation. You're now at rock bottom to where you're making thoughtless moves around others who may not care about your well. Being out of fear and desperation, fall back, take out this moment to recover and regroup in order to climb out of your toxic vortex from dysfunctional relationships or social groups to harmful addictions. Take out this moment to think, to plan, lock in on your craft, solo and within time, this moment of isolation will attract the right people and opportunities embrace the process. Special. Thanks to my guest, the unknown Otis, for stopping by discussing his mental health journey while serving in the military. Thanks for tuning in to next band up. Poetry in motion. I am your host, donnavilly Dean, to see my inspirational and poetry reels, you can go to YouTube at donnavilly Dean, also you can find my poetry books, children's books and coloring books on Amazon under my name, Donovan Lee D, for actor or poet. Bookings. You can contact me via email, DV media, one zero@gmail.com I am Donovan Lee D, actor, author and Inspirational rhythmic poet until next time. Peace. You

Donavan LeDean 28:05
Dave drive you.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai