@SpokenVerse More than that, it also represents one of Yeats ideologies around art, and the poet, and becoming one with your art in a sort of "enlightenment". There is an eternity represented in reaching that level of art.
funny how perceptions change : ' an aged man is but a tattered thing' whereas, Socrates in Plato's Symposium argues that the finest a man can be is when he is aged and experienced.
Dundee, Christ, troll fucktards in poetry readings too? I guess you'd like to flame about Justin Bieber as well, you inconsequential twit? Why in god's name do you think for a moment that we care what a useless, moldy spermdrop like you thinks about the poet-Titan Yeats?
@SpokenVerse Alas but I do not have a disliking towards the great poet W.B. Yeats, this poem casts the stark reality of death into my mind! A mind already tormented with dire problems of death and the most harrowing of thoughts.
I just found where Yeats got the line "an aged man is but a paltry thing/ a tattered coat upon a stick". From Arthur Conan Doyle's short story, The Little Square Box. Here is the quote: ""After all," I thought, as I gazed into the blue depths beneath me, "if the worst comes to the worst, it is better to die here than to linger in agony upon a sick-bed on land." A man's life seems a very paltry thing amid the great forces of Nature. All my philosophy could not prevent my shuddering,"
Growing old and distanced from the young, and seeking in art and literature and mythology, all artifices, a place where ageless intellect will be recognized rather than ignored. Byzantium is the city of beautiful artifice, a form of eternity, a place where time is still. It is the mind of the artist.
The pace ought really be a lot slower i think and there are quite a variety of tones in this poem, from heightened observation to impassioned incantation. Your readings are excellent though and this work is wrought with such complexity of music and meaning that no one reading could do justice
A favourite of mine by Yeats. And you, Mr. O’Bedlam, have an amazing voice. Perfect for the mystical, ancient music in Yeats’ poetry.
TheConservativeGent 1 week ago
can you tell me who's voice this is in the audio?
DkDaNnyBol 1 month ago
@DkDaNnyBol It's read by me, Tom O'Bedlam, and I read everything in this SpokenVerse channel. I hope you will listen to a few more..
SpokenVerse 1 month ago
Consume my heart away; sick with desire
And fastened to a dying animal
It knows not what it is; and gather me
Into the artifice of eternity..
The first two line are so amazingly put
ayakym 6 months ago
It makes me sad...but yet it's so beautiful. What a gift to be able to invoke such emotions in others.
vickiehill1 8 months ago
@SpokenVerse More than that, it also represents one of Yeats ideologies around art, and the poet, and becoming one with your art in a sort of "enlightenment". There is an eternity represented in reaching that level of art.
rychamomile 10 months ago
Beautiful poem!! beautiful voice!!!!
silverstartjc1984 11 months ago
funny how perceptions change : ' an aged man is but a tattered thing' whereas, Socrates in Plato's Symposium argues that the finest a man can be is when he is aged and experienced.
anime00manga 1 year ago
Perfect! The voice sounding like that of an old man is exactly what the poems calls for. Thanks!
Miguel
Jedermann101 1 year ago
Dundee, Christ, troll fucktards in poetry readings too? I guess you'd like to flame about Justin Bieber as well, you inconsequential twit? Why in god's name do you think for a moment that we care what a useless, moldy spermdrop like you thinks about the poet-Titan Yeats?
crazyxmarine 1 year ago
@SpokenVerse Alas but I do not have a disliking towards the great poet W.B. Yeats, this poem casts the stark reality of death into my mind! A mind already tormented with dire problems of death and the most harrowing of thoughts.
Dundeeman14 1 year ago
genius....
FirstCause75 2 years ago
Very touching
SaudiSpirit 2 years ago
Out of all of the readings of this wonderful work of Yeats' on YouTube, yours is clearly the best. Cheers!
Roy on behalf of Outlands
OutlandsCommunity 2 years ago
he had such skill for music and intellect. poetic technique and provoking themes. love this poem
Seamus616 2 years ago
I love this poem. I can just picture myself as a lady of Byzantium!
AnaFitzBeaumont 2 years ago
Wow, thanks so much for providing the words to this most wonderful Yeats' poetry, it's my favorite!
alchemistra 2 years ago
I just found where Yeats got the line "an aged man is but a paltry thing/ a tattered coat upon a stick". From Arthur Conan Doyle's short story, The Little Square Box. Here is the quote: ""After all," I thought, as I gazed into the blue depths beneath me, "if the worst comes to the worst, it is better to die here than to linger in agony upon a sick-bed on land." A man's life seems a very paltry thing amid the great forces of Nature. All my philosophy could not prevent my shuddering,"
greatsea 2 years ago
It's about leaving one's art behind to last for eternity after the artist dies.
cjohansen7 2 years ago
An excellent rendition!
5023849465 2 years ago
pure genius....
-lauren
mySTEREOFiDELiC 2 years ago
i like this in the deep heart's core ;)
juanjoseramirez784 2 years ago
Growing old and distanced from the young, and seeking in art and literature and mythology, all artifices, a place where ageless intellect will be recognized rather than ignored. Byzantium is the city of beautiful artifice, a form of eternity, a place where time is still. It is the mind of the artist.
AnotherCuppaCoffee 2 years ago 2
The pace ought really be a lot slower i think and there are quite a variety of tones in this poem, from heightened observation to impassioned incantation. Your readings are excellent though and this work is wrought with such complexity of music and meaning that no one reading could do justice
mossfitz 3 years ago
I have loved this poem since college. The reading is superb.
ramenuet 3 years ago 2