As I Walked Out one Evening by W. H. Auden (read by Tom O'Bedlam)
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Peter Szewczyk made this reading into a film - here it is on video vimeo.com/25287438
Auden wrote this poem in 1937, when he was 30.
"Lily White Boys" come form a song "Green Grow the Rushes, O" (not the one by Rabbie Burns). Ben Jonson makes reference to "roaring boys" and so does Tom O' Bedlam's song.
I couldn't find a picture of Bristol Street, Birmingham, but trams would have been running then. The photograph was taken by D J Norton in about 1950 of a street nearby.
This poem, above all other Auden poems, becomes more important as I grow older. Lines from it find themselves into my head on days like today. Your reading of it is my favorite one.
"Life remains a blessing, although you cannot bless."
Studied this poem back in 1989 for my BA English course. Brings back so many memories.
@thissong4you It was the same reading, taken from here. For some reason it impressed me too. It must have been the cinematography and the long poignant pauses.
@persevere4 If it sounds different in your mind's ear then the only way of letting the world hear how you think it should be read is to read it yourself. You're just one opinion of 27,000
I can only try to read it as it sounds in my mind's ear, as best I can. Most readers of poetry use an injudicious amount of passion and fervour - in my opinion. Try it and see. You might have heard Dylan Thomas read it.
love has no ending ...
A beautiful reading of one of my favorite poems, surpassed only by your reading of it in "Your Crooked Heart."
"Time watches from the shadow
And coughs when you would kiss"
You show an emotional restraint that really adds to the tone of the poem. Hope you can listen to my novice reading some time.
Thank you for this and many others, your voice is perfect for these readings.
I love how this poem ended.
@mmmbeachlover Most critics don't claim to know more about writing poetry than W H Auden. They are usually content with claiming to know how it should be read. Part of the genius lies in the metre - the line-shortening is called "catalexis". It's rarely used by the old ladies who write verses for Christmas Cards. Perhaps you've read a few of those lately?
"Vaguely life leaks away"
How true.
Beautifully read, thank you.
My most favorite poetry piece and so beautifully recited... I didn't want it to end.
Thank you.
@SpokenVerse, your poems are manuia (pardon spelling)bread of the gods, I probably have wrong I am not into research 4 quick response to you I find just fine. As you say this recited different waysU even may recite different on a different day, it (readings) are as a jazz improvisation, its said Bird never played the same song the same way ever, as Coltrane and Desmond. No offense intended at all, I maybe should have worded different I applaud your selection, bringing this to the world-BRAVO
Auden among the first “Beats”(early modernist) generation of his time, break from strict verse, wandering off confusing the purest, the critic’s of his time, readers made this a sensation along with other verse/prose poems, cubist painting, jazz improvisation, Duncan dance, Joyce the rest, the absurd Finally Brecht et al, Working hypothesis rule there are no rules?, an oxymoron? I have heard it read differently, more fervor-more passion please ” 'Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”
Auden's finest?
This gets me to a place of deeper mind . All the pop mainia withers away and the truth stays behind. With its crooked smile, it opens my eyes to the rose palely dying. Waiting to run its dull thorns, through my wanting surfast saturated eyes
Love your renditions. Would you share how you do this? Do you enhance it in any way?
I've loved this... Love the poem. There is a reading of this poem by Dylan Thomas that I can never find. I wish someone can post it.
@persevere4 Thank you for your kind words. If you want to hear Dylan Thomas read it, then superimpose this link in the UA-cam address line:
watch?v=lXkRPpOQLYc
@SpokenVerse That''s amazing, Tom. I truly did not realize it was the same reading. I guess the cinematography, the music, the fox, and the other accoutrments just take your brilliant reading over the top!
Beautifully read.. thank you.
I adore this poem. It's brilliant, and I wish I could pick a favorite line, but I can't. I just love the whole work.
Enchanting indeed.....really quite wonderful and evocative!
Beautiful
Perfect
So hypnotic... :')
if some regular numpty wrote this he would be shot down by the illuminated ones for its meter alone!
in a good peice you should not be able to fit another word, and yet...'with ALL your crooked heart'
Some lovely lines though. Auden got away with much, so so can you..and let no one tell you differently!
Goosebumps
Thanks . Auden is one of the best. Nice reading.