Soma
Resources => Poetry [Public] => Topic started by: Nichi on December 19, 2009, 08:54:21 AM
-
Michael Donaghy (by Spoken Verse)
http://www.youtube.com/v/1ju1qEisOhA&hl=en_US&fs=1&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ju1qEisOhA&feature=sub
-
"Spoken Verse" lists his name as Tom O'Bedlam, but according to the Roger Ebert article (cited in "The Cinnamon Peeler"), he is someone else entirely -- Ebert wouldn't identify his suspicion.
Whoever he is, he's clearly someone seasoned, knowledgeable about literature, and mature.
-
I have to admit, I cringed at the title, read it a bit. Its rather grusome of a read a bit. But I see black ice being like that.
-
His comments about this video:
Somebody asked me to read this poem. I hadn't come across Michael Donaghy before. It's a personal dramatic monologue in the style of the confessional poets. It seems to me an imaginary internal conversation rather than a real external one. I feel that it's intrusive to comment on such poems because they are complete in themselves.
The poet himself was a great reciter of his own work (which is not true of every poet) and I'm following his manner, as best I can. You can hear him reciting other poems here:
http://www.poetryarchive.com/poetryar...
In searching for a suitable illustration I discovered that he actually had a mexican skeleton. Auguste Rodin's late 19th century sculpture of hands about to clasp could be reproduced in chocolate, I suppose. Jesus/Elvis pictures are not at all rare - but I didn't see reason to cause offence to anyone by reproducing them. Bad taste and religious kitsch are superficial themes and not important.
In the end I gave up trying to illustrate it - it's essentially aural.
-
I have to admit, I cringed at the title, read it a bit. Its rather grusome of a read a bit. But I see black ice being like that.
It is a painful piece ... but rich.
-
It is a painful piece ... but rich.
Yes it is, it shows he's rather deep. Interesting the religious themes he chooses.
-
He recites well - I almost recognise that voice.
Interesting poem.
-
He recites well - I almost recognise that voice.
Me too. It's a fun mystery. Is he someone who has an excellent voice who has never surfaced before, or is he someone who is well-known in another context, but who is now quietly enacting his love for poetry?