"My wife is a better shot than I am" BEST PART OF THE POEM

THAT ENDING WAS THE MOST ABSOLUTE FUCKING WIN

I literally started crying when he said "to the girls that may one day date my daughter"

"you cannot make fire feel afraid" is my favorite line from spoken poetry, ever. amazing job.

HIS EYEBROWS LOOK LIKE DOLPHINS

I was all ready to comment "what if she's a lesbian" and then you should have seen the smile on my face when he continued

"To the GIRLS who may one day date my daughter," SHOOK, CROWD CHEERING, DAD LOOKIN LIKE, "yeah, I went there" gold

Favorite line: "If you break her heart, I will hear it snap with the ear I pressed against her mother's belly" XD OMG love it!!

“I have taught her a man should never hit a woman” “MY WIFE WOULD LIKE TO ADD-“ Best line of the poem killed me

My girlfriend's dad just posted this onto my timeline... priceless.

Think about how his daughter will grow up and see/hear this video one day, knowing it's about her. Magical.

I was waiting for the 'to the girls that will one day date my daughter' part and I actually screamed.

"If you break her heart, I will hear it snap with the ear that I pressed against her mothers belly; The elbow that I cradled her head in will send a message to my fist; My cheeks are attuned to her lips, I will know if they tremble." I can't get over how much I love this passage. I can't pick a single line that I like more than another. (Though I should say the entire thing was amazing.)

1) This is gold 2) This is hilarious 3) I never felt it sexist, at all. I'm female and feel the same way for my little sister. It's not feeling the other person is your property, he never ever said he is the one who'll choose who she ends up with. It's the feeling of never wanting them hurt in any way. He says many times she was raised to respect herself above all, she's the one who'll decide, and warn her dad if she's hurt, and he says he (and her mom lol) will just make sure no one can hurt her if that time ever comes. Or that's just the way I see it.

"You can't make fire feel afraid"

I ‘To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter’, by Jesse Parent To the boys who may one day date my daughter! I have been waiting for you. Since before her birth, Since before my spark took hold and ignited the fire in her mother’s belly, I have been training to kill you. When you took your first steps I was preparing to make it so you never walked again, When you played at war I was perfecting headshots, You can’t catch up at this point. And when you first meet my daughter and fall in love with the look she sends over her shoulder, Her crescent-moon eyes framing her laughing smile, you Are gonna wanna talk to her. And when those hours pass by like sprinters during that first timeless conversation- You will also know with a deep and impending sense of dread, That you are going to have to talk to me When you first come to my home, and see the bone carving over my threshold- Try not to imagine your own femurs so expertly carved. Pay no attention to my “ample crawl space”, my “Room with a rubber mat and a drain”, be careful To only approach me with love for my daughter, See, I have been seeding her childhood with tap-root hugs To weed out indifference and apathy, There will be no Daddy Issues for your teenage talons to latch upon. If you Break her heart; I will hear it snap with the ear I pressed against her mother’s belly- The elbow I cradled her head in will send a message to my fist. My cheeks Are attuned to her lips. I will know if they tremble. I have taught her that a man should never hit a woman- Now her mother would like to add that you really shouldn’t ever hit anybody- But I have taught her that a man should never hit a woman. Consider my genes a mark of Cain; You will suffer seven times whatever you do to her, And she will not keep your secret: You can’t make fire feel afraid. I have been teaching her love all of her life, And all that I ask is that you continue the lesson. Love her. Befriend her. Protect her- be there when I can’t, and when my body gives up to the grave, Let the grin that eternity carves into my face be a reflection of the peace that your love brings to her, And we should get along just fine… ADDENDUM: To the girls who may one day date my daughter!... My wife is a better shot than I am.

The initial and superficial message that is portrayed is about a dad who is warning all future boys that they have a tough critic in their attempt to date his daughter, for they have to seek his approval. What I found the most appealing about the poem was his underlying message that was built off of the over-protective stereotype. He is telling the audience that he can be won over, easily, if the suitor is a good man and respects his daughter as all women deserve to be treated. He states he has done all that he can to be a present, loving father so that his daughter knows what true love is. He even hopes the perfect man presents himself so that he can take his place as his daughter's protector, whenever that time comes. This poem illustrates the perfect boundary that a father should have for his daughter's future dating life. He plans to be present and opinionated in the matter (only if morally necessary), but the choice of her potential suitor is ultimately her decision. He hopes that he has instilled in her enough true love and respect for herself so that she will be attracted to a deserving mate. Great job dad!

This was just brilliant and the ending was the greatest, I was so happy when you said "To the girls who may one day date my daughter" I just teared up. I wish my father was as open minded as you are. Thank you.

his name is so appropriate

i wish my dad was like this

'To the girls who may one day date my daughter' Hell to the yes. It made the poem.

The 'addendum' was the best part!

This makes me so fucking sad. I wish I had a father like this in my life

I freakin teared up and laughed. Never have I had that happened. I've teared up from laughing, and I have cried so much that I have laughed, but never have I teared up and brightened up so fast.

Its like I'm crying and my dad asks what's wrong "We broke up" "HONEY WHERE IS THE SHOTGUN AND SHOVEL??!!"

Dude, the poem is amazing , But notice the deliverance and the performance - not just the spoken words , but his facial expressions, his eyes, his eyebrows, the handling of the air gun, his movements - That is part of the poetry, the non-verbal poem, and it all comes together fantastically. This is one of my favorite poem from Button Poetry. +Jesse Parent, you are awesome ! I just thought of how awesome it would be if this poem is performed from a Mom's perspective, "To the girls that may one day date my son" .... and close with the line "To the boys that may one day date my son.... my husband is a better shot" haha

2:05 “You can’t make fire feel afraid.” I got this tattooed on me after I got out of an extremely emotionally abusive relationship. I now know that I am a burning flame and I should never be afraid again.

they showed me this in class and almost screamed at the plot twist because i was so happy

this is one of the reasons growing up without a father sucks SO. FUCKING. MUCH. i get it's annoying sometimes but i see or hear a girl complain about her father's "over-protectiveness" towards the boys she dates i get so fucking angry because i would literally kill to have my dad feel SOMETHING for his only damn child. his only damn daughter. that's all i've wanted me whole entire life. i would kill for him to love me that much to be so scared of someone hurting me or me choosing the wrong person because of "daddy issues". why don't i deserve that?

I love that he says "To the girls who may one day date my daughter" Proving that he will accept the gender of his daughters future partner.

“To the girls who may one day date my daughter.....my wife is a better shot than I am” 😂😂

My favorite quote. “You can’t make fire feel afraid “. Is now tattooed.

My dad wrote a letter to my future husband. Well I'm gay. I guess that didn't play out like he thought.

This is amazing on many different levels. I understand that many people latch on to the threats, but for me it is the moments where he speaks directly of his daughter that matter more. "You can't make fire feel afraid," always gets me. I know there are a lot of people that think this is about being overprotective, but for me, this is all about how he has raised his daughter to not need it, to never feel afraid, and to always know that she does have a father to go home to. And there isn't anything wrong or sexist about it. The ending of it is just an added bonus. Anyone complaining about such threats must be pretending that they have never said something similar. We all feel fiercely protective of someone. "I'll hurt anyone that hurts you."- We have said this to children, our siblings, our friends.

I was laughing and couldn't breath and when I heard the last part my laughter became silent and I died

I've translated this video to my parents, and they told me "Why do you show us this? You should show it to your future kids' boyfriends and girlfriends". I laughed a lot! Amazing video!

Great poem. I'm so glad you are open to the idea of your daughter being attracted to girls. Too many dads aren't.

"Addendum - " Holy cow that was so unbelievably awesome.

it's been a year when I found this video and I still keep coming back to watch it. I've memorized every single line, it's crazy

To the persons who may one day date my daughter, her body and mind is not my property nor will it ever be yours treat her with the same respect I give her and we'll be chill.

This made me tear up! I love the ending. My favorite line is, "I have been seeding her childhood with taproot hugs to weed out indifference and apathy. There will be no daddy issues for your teenage talons to latch upon."

I wish I had a father like that....

I wish i had a dad who cared that much about me :( trying to teach myself how i should be treated when no one has shown me is really hard and I am failing. this poem is amazing. it makes it easy to figure out how a father should love his daughter and what kind of man i should look for. your daughter is lucky.

I'm surprised you're still responding to comments 2 million views later! You're amazing. It seems I'm like the only one who understood the poem the first time. Can I just say the applause I had when you added the ending “For the GIRLS who one day date my daughter…” was a whirlwind in my bed screaming at my phone. I'm a lesbian and my dad died in '05 so I'll never know what his thoughts or feelings on it were, I'm only 22. So when you added that part, it really touched my heart and I never even use that phrase. Thank you. I love you. This is perfection.

The fact that Jesse Parent is cool enough to actually respond to the comments is amazing. I've had a *very* fun time watching idiots get dropped by a pro. Cheers man, loved the poem.

This is still straight up one of my favorite poems ever.

"To the girls who may one day date my daughter" YAAAAAAAS! WE STAN ACCEPTANCE!

My favorite line in this poem. My cheeks are attuned to her lips, I will know if they tremble. that's crazy some of the comments I'm reading. Why get all political with poetry.? I did not know there was a right or wrong way to express yourself poetically

Unfortunately a few too many fathers have deeply covered sexual repression for their daughters, and make their boyfreinds' lives a misery. Get over it, dads- we daughters have our own lives to lead, we will make our own mistakes, cry our own tears, raise our own children. But be there to be hugged, and hug back!

When he said "TO THE GIRLS WHO MAY ONE DAY DATE MY DAUGHTER" it was added to you favourite vids

THIS MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY!! AT THE END I SMILED SO MUCH YES

I don't think I can ever watch this enough times. I'll only be satisfied when I've remembered every word because this is exactly what a dad should be. Performed with such enthusiasm and written which such affection that it has almost inspired me to try my hand at slam/performance poetry. Top notch, Jesse!

Your daughter's blessed to have a father like you :) Has she seen this?

I sit here crying. I had planned to watch a few this afternoon but maybe later. Nothing else could penetrate right now. Would I want to be your daughter or wife? Of course. Who wouldnt? I just realy long to be a person more like you. Unconditionel has never looked so magniicent. Kerp inspiring and changing the world. We will be watching and evolving.

Came back to listen to this after a while, and I just started crying because I realized how much I wish I had a Dad like this

I actually want to see his wife make a speech about "To the Girls that May One Day Date My Daughter"

Wish my dad cared like that.

Very well said sir. "The elbow I cradled her neck on will send a message to my fist". I will never forget such a powerful line.

"To the boys who may one day date my daughter" *stares at camera* oh shit he's onto us O-O

That addendum just made this poem for me

the first couple of times i saw this, i was kind of iffy about the whole "threatening your daughter's love interest" because if your daughter gets hurt, she is more than capable of defending herself without her father's help. but eventually it sunk in that this was just about his love for his daughter, his fear of his daughter getting hurt and it's kind of beautiful of how much he cares.

back in 2006 and 2007, when the National Poetry Slam competition was hosted by Austin, TX two summers in a row, i actually spent many nights out on our hotel room deck drinking with a lot of the poets, including Jesse, who i quickly formed a friendship with because of our shared Portuguese heritage and both being from Massachusetts. super cool dude, and as is evident by this video, super talented to boot. he does/did lots of improv comedy, as well.

I want you as a father. Whenever I want to cry at spoken word, I watch yours....

As a father of 2 this guy took the words out of my mouth! I'm gonna watch this every day until they start dating! Which is a good 10 years from now!

What a fitting last name for a poem such as this. This is one of the best slams I've ever heard.

Jesse Parent your daughter is very , very lucky. i hope she never forgets that , not even for a second.

I showed this to my father and he was nodding all the way through. He still watches this sometimes and constantly reminds me that yes, he is also this kind of father. My sisters and I love him so much. Thank you for this! :)

This made my heart hurt. My dad will never care this much, he's never been a father. I love this.

His daughter is one of the luckiest little girls in the world. If only there were more parents who knew how to love like this. His wife must be so proud.

My dad says things like this all the time and I am so great full that I have him to protect me and I'm go glad there are other fathers like you

I've been watching this video constantly for the past 6 years. Even as my fathers 'daughter' it wasn't enough. Now that I' am true to myself as a man I want to protect all my little sisters/brothers (even elder siblings) like Jesse does for his daughter. This poem has kept me going for so long. I can't thank Jesse enough.

Oh my. So absolutely magnificently beautiful. Your daughter certainly has a brilliant father :) Your poem is mind-blowingly perfect and my cousin thinks so too. There truly aren't words to describe the awe I am in. Perfection

Well said, Jesse Parent. Satire though it may be, your words here ring true to every daughter's dad. My girl turns 15 in a month. Pray for me, man; my years of training are about to be tested.

Anyone else find it kind of ironic that his last name is "Parent"?

As a teenager that is not heterosexual. the ending really hit home for me. I immediately started crying and sent a link to all of my friends. I'm so happy and touched that the end was included because a lot of people, who although are not against lgbtq+ people, still assume that their children are going to be straight. You are going to be an amazing parent.

"If you break her heart, I will hear it snap with the ear I pressed against her mother's belly" Man that's deep...

Brilliant! So much more eloquently put than the old "I have a shotgun, a shovel and 5 acres of land out back". I think one has to be parent to really appreciate this.

That’s a real man, sticking up for his daughter. Makes me miss my old man.

"To the girls who may one day dare my daughter..." Oof my mom felt that

Right on. If fathers (and mothers) refuse to teach their boys how to become proper men, then it is up to the fathers (and mothers) of daughters to teach these boyfriends.

If only more fathers had this type of passion for raising, caring for and training their children.

" my wife is a better shot than i am " is my favorite line from this poetry, amazing job.

"To the boys who may one day date my daughter " *looks into the camera like The Office *

This must have been one of the first poems I've listened to since high school, but as a father of a 2 year old daughter I just had to hear it. Very moving stuff.

THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THIS BETTER IS IF HE DROPPED THE MIC AT THE END

GODDAMN I LOVE THIS SO MUCH AND THE ENDING IS TOO MUCH I LOVE THIS FATHER

I don't think I've ever sobbed and laughed hysterically at the same time before.

Oh my goodness. I will never get over just how powerful this is. It is so powerful that I would trade my dad for him.

This is one of my FAVORITE poems. You sir, are an absolute genius.

Just found out today that my wife and I are having a girl, and this entire thing played through my head that I had to show my wife

Omg I love that last line I definitely didn't see that one coming!

I have no daughters, 2 boys and you can bet I school them on what will happen if I ever find out they are not treating a lady like a lady! That said, I had a little sister, and a niece who is like a daughter to me (and I a father to her as I was the main positive male role model in her life thanks to her coward father) and I have to say this is epic, especially the part where you talk about how he SHOULD treat your daughter!

This was quite interesting to me, as someone who grew up without a father figure. Especially the line (it was something like), "There will be no daddy issues for you to sink your teenage talons into." And it's admirable, and amazing. But don't ever undermine someone's ability to protect themselves from emotional / physical / mental pain. That is all.

"To the girls who may one day date my daughter my wife is a better shot than I am" I'm so glad he put that in since the majority of people assume you're straight until you say otherwise, I'm glad he recognized that hid daughter might not be straight

"YOU CAN'T MAKE FIRE FEEL AFRAID"

On one hand, I'm a bit disappointed that so many individuals missed the satirical message of this video and insist on framing you as some sort of abusive and overprotective psychopath raising a spoiled daughter on a diet of fear and distrust, Jesse. On the other hand, watching you reply to some of these individuals is almost as entertaining as the video itself. Well done.

I love this. It reminds me of my dad. There isn't a place on earth that I feel more safe than in my dad's arms. I know I can always look for him in times of danger or sadness. Having two much older brothers is also a bonus. Thanks for sharing this, Jesse. I bet your daughter is just as crazy for you as you are for her.

Since my daughter was born 3 years ago, I come back to this video every few months and watch it. My daughter is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life and she will never be afraid.

Love this, simply awesome. Ever since I found out my wife was pregnant with our daughter last year, your words have been echoing in my mind as a source of inspiration of what a real man is, not only to his wife and daughter, but to serve as an example and warning to others who would also draw the same inspiration or dare to impede on the sanctity of those whom we love. Beauifully done, sir.

I've seen some posts from people who don't seem to grasp a few of the simpler ideas behind slam poetry. I've also seen some posts from people who don't seem to grasp the simpler ideas of parenting. I, personally, think it's a beautiful sentiment to want to protect your children from everything you can. Obviously, you can't stop all of a child's heartbreaks, but you'll be the one there to help them through it. Having grown up without a father figure in my life (but with a really kick-ass mom to make up for it), it's truthfully reassuring to know that there are good men in the world, who care about and love their children. Also- this poem was really rad.