What do you think?

[TheConservativeArmy]

As an opera singer, I interpret poetry and music on a daily basis. What I have come to understand is that there are two schools. The school of people who believe you must research the composer/poet and interpret it through their lives and others who want you to give us your own interpretation. The bottom line is we are all on the same side in trying to keep tradition and the arts alive. As long as you are actively engaged, all is well in the world of art.

[leakygutter]

there is no wrong or right in art or in what people take from it. people mostly understand what they already know. if art stirs people to anger or joy it is good in my book

[nibargerswife51482]

I love it, :) beautiful music too... :)

[mcurren2004]

I love that poem. Thank you for reading it.

I think that you can see thru to an artist's soul via their work, but the interpretation could have an entirely different

personal meaning. Mary

[u2bist]

Artists often create works that simply look or sound interesting or just feel right. The artist might not know what the result means, or if it means anything at all. Yet even in the absence of intent the audience can find meaning in the work. I think the same principle applies to any work of art created with a definite purpose in mind. Such a piece can say as much about the artist's motivation, state of mind, upbringing, etc. as about the specific idea he was trying to express.

[1walkingdeadman]

This is a fantastic topic! I agree that art should speak to you in a personal way and incite thoughts and inspire you in a way something else might not. The artist may or may not have had a specific intent in mind, but I think prompting a reaction and encouraging the viewer to get something more personal out of it is much more rewarding for the artist and makes the work more powerful to the one experiencing it.

[lordsardonicvids]

I think all art is subjective, as it should be. No one ever informed me of any 'rules' anyway...

[YaYaJuke]

awe... what a wonderful question. we all see the same mountain, we just see a different side.

[fehquig]

I don't believe that there is a right or a wrong answer when it comes to how a work of art speaks to you... Everyone has a unique set of experiences that shades one's perception of a poem or painting or sculpture, or even a video!

[6663000]

No of course it does not matter. As long as yoe feel SOMETHING it doesn't really matter what the original intention was.

That's my opinion anyway.

[LordDorian]

I would say it doesen't matter. After hearing you and reading some comments it seems pretty clear it doesen't. But if I said so I wouldn't be sincere. When I write or draw or paint something I do it to show what I feel about the subject I'm dealing with, because I'm not really comunicative so art is the only way I have to externalize what's inside me. So I like the others to understand what I'm trying to say, to emathize with me through that piece of art.(the cmment cotinues :P)

[LordDorian]

But from the point fo view of a reader or any other kind of audience, I like to adapt what the artist wants to say to what I want to tell, I want to see in his or her artwork something to identify myself with it. So again it's the other, the artist (or his work), who has to emathize with me... I'm quite egocentric, it seems...

Anyway, nice video. Not many people upload videos about this kind of topics.

[spanishben]

I don't think it matters at all, art often delivers valid interpretations that the author missed when he created it, but later says 'well yes, I suppose that's quite right as well!' - There is an example of this in the BBC world book club podcast with Egyptian author Nawal El Saadawi recently - someone found something in her work that she had missed, but found enriching to discover through a reader's eyes.

[tapoe]

I think that the intention of the author is lost when the actual work of art has it's own intention, and everyone can interpret that single movement the way that moves each one of us.

[Carabaraloo]

I have a degree in art history, and my studies of current artistic trends frustrated me to no end. The meanings behind art today have become so convoluted that you need a paragraph to understand them. I asked my professor about this and he posed a question in return. He said, "If you get your own meaning out of it, does it really matter?" I decided, no. It doesn't matter at all. If it had only one interpretation, it wouldn't be subjective; and art is anything but objective.

[pommedapilove]

You are the best, I truly enjoy listening to you.

[wonderfulkeithfloyd]

Oh this is so lovely Peter. Thank you.

[elyseny]

I write poetry. I write so that it has meaning for me. If it also has meaning for others, thats a bonus. I don't think it really matters if it means the same thing to them or not. as long as it means something. Obviously I'm not going to make money with this type of attitude, but that's not why I write.

I love to go "down to the sea" so mostly what I got from the poem was how enjoyable the sea is.

[mx4789]

That's a nice perspective, Peter. I can "see" it from both directions but they both are about a longing or a desire so it's really not all that different. I think this goes back to the "eye of the beholder" bit.

[thumbalins]

im a drama student and ive learned is that there is no right and wrong. Knowing a few facts about how a poem was created and by whom always helps but art is supposed to go beyod the level of information. I believe that art is supposed to speak to each soul personally (like this poem did to you). This is what directors do, they take a classic play and make it speak to the audience of today. I loved your video and i was thinking about death when you were reading this poem(im 22). Thank you!

[redbird4848]

Beautiful poem, thank you for posting that. I too love the art of poetry. But it has been some time since I have listened to or sat down to read.

Back when I was in school, we learned the analogy that if prose is walking, poetry is dance.

Never mind the sad little boy who so desperately wants attention. (roast chickie brain), he is what we call a troll.

[trlstaff]

Very nice.....the interpretation is differant for each person, I think. Nice post, Thanks peter......5/5 as allmost always.

[Shepherdess]

First, I think you read that poem with great feeling, and it moved me to the same conclusion you felt at the outset.

But to answer your question, I feel there is no right or wrong in art -- that's the great thing about it, isn't it, that it's up to the one who appreciates it to take it in as they will.

I always say, simply trust all joy.

And thank you for the poem.

Catherine

[SleeplessCiti]

Peter, the music and prose were really lovely. Thank you for the moment of peace and beauty.

[SleeplessCiti]

why? are you hoping for more company in hell?

this is why your mom puts the parental advisory block on the computer. try wanking to channel your aggression.

[Jaitro]

Stupid idiot.

I think many people enjoy listening to Peter's thoughts - I do.

Thank you, Peter. You're the best!

[AnonXenu12]

i loled

[naughtystepUGC]

Life experiences enhance Art and illuminate unique, hidden depths. Everyone sees different things besides the obvious, which is Art actually working.

[6MICA]

I wonder what "Captain Kirk" would say if he were real, in poetry... or spock for that matter about their love of exploration and saving / repairing life forms from etc...

[erra404]

I draw and paint. When I do so, my works have a meaning to me. If someone else sees something else in them, that is fine. I find it fun to sit near my paintings at shows where people don't know I am the artist and see how people react to my work and interpret it and comment on it.

[drvrdug]

Sir Peter, I think you're a Genius. A Sage. The next time I try to explain Music to my youngsters, I will show them this. You, just explained soo well, the difference between Quality, and rap,... at least that's the way I see it... Thank You, once again! More Please!...

[Marlockie]

I don't think thats what he was getting at, more of, does it matter if the motives are differnt. if you enjoy the poem, movie,painting, photo, song... not, Art quality, and something you don't like. artwork has differnt meanings to differnt people, as long as you get enjoyment from the said piece of art, does it matter.

[NOBIGBUTTS4me]

In a sense, No, it doesn't matter. I (may) see a puppy dog in the clouds and you (in turn) may see a fish. We all 'visualize' things from a different standpoint. But IF...the author had ONE and only ONE 'interpretation' that he wanted the reader to take away from his writing, then he should have worded it differently. Knowwhatimean?! Jelly Bean! Heyyyyyyyy!!!.......I'm a poet! And didn't know it.

[teddystone510]

my favourite youtube channel!

[ehnriko]

oh yes... to answer your question...

NO.

there is no right or wrong way to interpret art. There is science in art, but the beauty of any art work is it caters the soul. If science enriches our physical body, art enriches our soul and character...

And of course... It doesn't matter how you interpret it.

Dear sir, you are a beautiful soul.

Thank you for making your presence in cyberspace.

[ehnriko]

Like any other art forms... poetry uses the medium of words... and the artists are both the composer and the interpreter.

In still arts, the interpreter (the painter) projects 75% of his personality into the art work and only 25% comes from the subject.

In this case... the original material used - manifests only 25%... 75% of the interpreters personality, ideals and concsiousness is manifested.

If the interpreter has a beautiful soul... the art form is much appreciated.

1 word- "Beautiful!"

[TamHickey67]

The very fact that we are all discussing art is an inherently good thing. Artists love their works to be looked at and listened to and if we can appreciate their work then no, it shouldn't matter what each individual takes from it. I have attatched a video where I read a favourite poem of mine by Edwin Morgan. I hope you enjoy it.

[thejunesky87]

there is no getting the meaning of a poem wrong, it's personal. That's why many poets don't explain what their work is about or some don't even know, it just came to them. It's what the reader gets out of it. When I write poems, sometimes it just happens and I have no clue what it was meant to mean and I'm fine with that and the reader gets out of it what they feel it means to them.

In my opinion, poetry shouldn't be analyzed, it should be felt.

[dorotwhy]

My Daddy used to read this to me when I was a child :O). Your narration gave me a chill.

[macflyfilm]

Our surrogate Granddad. Great guy, this one.

[Willacetheclown]

I think it only matters that you enjoy the work even if you dont know the meaning behind it. Very nice poam.

[sw33tb0y77]

impressive :)

but the gypsy life is nothing spank-tacular :P

[jafeae]

Why do you guys make those stupid comments? Are you simply stupid? Great video peter.

[noonedude101]

You really are an idiot. Respect your elders or go jump off a cliff.

[teddystone510]

give the man some respect you nob, just because your face looks like a can of dog food doesnt mean you need to take out your grief on someone else.

[teddystone510]

whats wrong with fox hunting?

[teddystone510]

if your mistaking his face for a toilet, youve got something INCREDIBLY wrong you. i think you need a doctor

[bilstonjay]

You take from art what you bring to it. We all see and experience things differently. I think it doesn't matter. After all we are just seeing the artists point of view with the words or the music or the artwork, why not see it as we want to anyway. It's like a novel, we all see the characters and the world of the novel differently in our heads. I think art is about interpretation and has no constant or standard. Nice video Peter

[unperceivable]

from my experience the artists intent dosnt matter at all and nobody really cares infact its best that the artist dosnt reaval there intentions sad but true there would be nothing to say or debate on "all i see is scribble and blobs of paint" ..." well thats because you have no imagination can clearly see thats a boat crossing a over a rainbow and is a memory from his childhood"., we love stuff like this over abit of scribble its makes us human heh

[sarahdickybird]

God bless you :)

[Angieanything]

I think that each of us will interpret things differently based on our individuality, life experiences, and even sometimes our mood. That's the beautiful thing about poetry.

Much love!!

[glossy33]

you read poetry so beautifully!

you warm my heart!

i thank you for your videos

[goatcheese2]

Well that was terribly boring.

[mdwfrancis]

Well if he closed any places down then he probably did it for good reason. Stop being a bully and get a life.

Peter, I enjoyed this video, I love poetry

[ahdkaw]

Learn some respect for your elders, young man.

[yescandles]

No, in my opinion, it matters not!

(Which is one of the reasons I REFUSE to watch Music Videos! I absolutely refuse to have someone else's "visual" attached to my audio experience)

Remember the days when you heard a song and it actually meant something personal to you...including the lyrics? I believe when you see Music Videos over and over ,when you hear the song, your brain automatically flashes to the video.

Well mine does anyway and it ruins it for me. Make sense?

[tenagliac]

You rendered that verse very well. Some verse is vague and open to interpretation. I have strolled the beach and the wind and water and life and felt many meaninga simultaneously.

In day to day chat we say a thousand banal things. In good poetry the message flies into a metaphysical grinder feeding our souls from another dimension, an elixir that takes us to a soulish realm that triggers dreams.

[javahippo]

Listening to you read poetry makes me so happy.

[jeremyshambles]

it does matter, without the artists a society loses its culture. thanks for your wonder-full videos, i recommend an amazing poet by the name of James Mangan, his poems are powerful and quite beautiful-cheers

[JustAnotherX]

Am I the only one who is reminded of an Ent, when seeing Peter's videos? Not appearence-wise! ;-) He never rushes his words, and he seems like a romantic soul, in love with poetry, music and such.

[BraDRoBBo]

I like how well the music goes with you reading.

[palcsi]

I think that once a work of art is released, it can, and many times does, take on a completely different meaning than what was originally intended by its creator. I also think that the greater the art, the more it will lend itself to multiple meaning and interpretations. Knowing the original intent can sometimes ruin the experience of creating ones own meaning.

[1pcdoc]

nice

[Allymobile]

I love the way you read poetry!

:D

[Spintown7]

You read poetry very well Peter.

[CalebWandering]

I think poetry is for the old, and that's not an insult at all. Poetry is driven by memory, and it is meant to provoke memory and images. A poem, the actual words, is just a construct, a set of instructions your mind can follow to string together images and memories created by you. It is the beauty of the string inside you that is the true poem.

[heybeeg]

Peter, I'm not all that sure that you got the meaning 'wrong' at all. Just because Masefield was in his 20's when he wrote it, his inspiration may have been sea men who did dream of life ending so sweetly.

I'm sure those who have studied or teach the arts will disagree with me but I think the arts can only be interpreted personally. Otherwise, how would art of any kind be recognized internationally?

[noferblatz]

Original intent doesn't matter. Of course, if the viewer sees exactly what the artist intended, so much the better. And to some extent, the skill of the artist is in ensuring the viewer gets it "right". But you'll never know what the author intended, and you can't judge people based on whether they interpret art "correctly". So you just have to let people interpret as they will.

[CondeePinkLeeza]

No, In my opinion it does not matter. We are all part of a creative consciousness. every perspective is valid in the life of the work on its own. See my message in your inbox!!

[deerhound6]

i like the way you read it and i like the music in that video

[derekcolman]

That's so true, Peter. A good example is the song "Unchained Melody". Many people love that song for what it says to them. But if you ask them what the song is about, they don't actually know.

[redsox32394]

I love you peter

[DrHoldowicz]

I had the same response as you -that the "long trek" was his life, as you said, a "lament".. I still read it that way.

As regards Art -the artist may have "ownership" of the object, and may have their rationale as to what it means or why they made it -but the viewer equally has "ownership" of their responses, their reactions to the art object.

I liked your reading, made me want to get out a poetry book and read some Betjeman, "Myfanwy" or the like.

[Sweeney1988]

very nice peter

[deadlychickenxop]

it does not matter, often artists are aiming at one thing and hit something totally different, the purpose surely is to evoke emotion. does the original intent matter ? not really/

[xXLoveEdwardCullenXx]

cool! xD

[LoneStar2048]

Well done, Please do more. It would help if you could speak up a little more to. I got my vol all the way up.

Thanks

[maregee]

my favorite poem...poet laurette of england when i was a wee bairn...i love the ocean it means escape to me...escape to what is meaningful/real....this poem meant that he knew and loved the sea and knew what was important

[megansspark]

wonderful reading (and musings) Peter. I think the greatest compliment one can pay a poet or musician is to be personally moved by their creation.  When we bring 'what we have' to the experience... thinking and feeling. I think we should hold on to our interpretations, even when learning others are different.... :)

[Trottbrown]

interesting. I believe it does not matter, the meaning is produced by us, the receptors of the work, it can never be exactly what the author intended, since I and others have different experiences, wisdoms than the creator. How could we understand it the same as the author?

[thizizliz]

Oooh - great topic! First, I really enjoyed your reading - you sounded pretty much how I 'hear' it when I read it. I have always had a mental picture however of regrets - lost opportunities when I read it. Hmmm. Yes, I like knowing what the artist meant, but only after I've thought about it - whether poems, stories, paintings or music. Thank you so much for a thoughtful, contemplative topic.

[CircaRigel]

Beautiful poem. You read it well.

In many cases, interpretation will vary from person to person, but obviously the true meaning is what the author felt at the time. However, as a poet, I've found that the interpretations of my poetry by others can be just as meaningful as my own, even if it's not identical to mine. I'll post one of my poems on TazoWolf as a video response.

[CircaRigel]

As I just said, the meaning to you is unique to you, and THAT'S what matters. I don't feel the original intent matters, but to the writer.

[PizzaGeezer]

that was read nice

[elunicocalvo]

I think it depends on how open the work is to interpretation

[MSWmson]

My opinion, for what it's worth: Works of expression, visual or verbal, earn our attention by resonating within us, and different individual chords will be struck, but the work's heart is notable primarily because the writer or artist has been successful in dipping his ladle into the universal flow we all live in. That's why we have a visceral reaction, pleasant or not.

So if you and I, Peter, read the same poem and arrive at differening interpretations, either is meaningful. My opinion.

[CurrentlyUnknown]

That was brilliant!

To answer your question: I also think that the authors interpretation is very important in terms of the message they are trying to convey because very often that is why written works are. There purpose can be to encourage the reader to interpret something outside of their own usual interpretation or a situation.

I hope that made sense. Also agree with many other commenters. :)

[warabe53]

Enjoyment is the only thing that matters, your interpretation will differ from mine, irrespective of what the artist was trying to achieve/get across, I loved the way you read it though, superb, thanks Peter.x

[jbdazen]

I think the great thing about art is that it can speak to every single person in its own unique way. The intent is of no importance, I believe. Even songs I wrote myself can mean different things to me later on.

[rollsroyce59]

Peter,

Once again you've blown me away with your incredible insight.

I think that you are on target that a poet's work can bring out the reader's experiences & the author's feelings.

That is a good thing IMHO.

Your reading was SUPERB as well.

I haven't had time to see if you have read other poems but..I'd love to hear you read: "The Road Less Traveled", by Robert Frost. Be well & thanks for all of the,"Life Insights", that you do.

You continue to be

[andymooseman]

I agree with you Peter.

Art is in the eye, or ear, of the beholder :)

[amanecs]

A vase of flowers is seen differently by each beholder.

[wormholetravel75]

Peter,

I liked the beginning of this video.

You have a natural skill for reading poetry.

[Steve7508]

I think everything can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, including art and poetry and no interpretation is necessarily better than any other.

[nerdishh]

I think that the author's vision matters in a technical sense, but the reader's interpetation means so much more on an emotional scale. I thinkk that even if you inform the reader of the author's purpose, they would still hold their own interpetation nearer and dearer to their heart.

x

[glennarcher39]

It just goes to show that the spoken word is too easy to misinterpret. We need a new form of communication that can overcome these problems. When that new form is discovered we will all understand so much more, till then we will have to keep getting it wrong or right as the originator intended.

Beautifully orated as usual Peter.

Hope you managed to sort the Harley problem out.

[IncuboGaby]

I think that art and poetry are open to interpretation from each individual. Different things have different meaning to different people.

I think the original intent is important in the sense that it should not be forgotten by the person who created it.

Great video & you have a very soothing voice! :)

[torpedofish]

Some of the comments on here are simply repulsive.

I think you are a very sensitive and thougtful man, and I enjoy your videos immensely. You give me things to think about it, unlike the majority of the goons that patrol these waters.

[1alex1pccom]

Music is too loud.

[Flipflopab]

Nice video, Youtube grandad

[Flipflopab]

I meant that with affection

[deidarajunior1508]

Art is not like math, there's always multiple answers when it comes to art as opposed to math.

[video724de]

Peter, can you subtitle the poem? I'm not a native English speaker and the the music is sometimes somewhat too loud ...

Thanks!

Only the artist knows about the meaning of his art. So think of the poem what ever you like. If he published his work he and his art are exposed to people's more or less friendly opinion and completely out of his control.

[harryluvsdraco]

Love the videos, just wish the audio was better. I have to crank up the volume so high that anything else I do on my computer that requires sound (like getting an MSN message) nearly gives me a heart attack.

[mousecharger]

haha i agree harry.  that happened to me, i forgot to turn my speaker down lol!!He's worth it though!!

[peterdinosaurous]

im proud to share the same name with you

[RobLeepopart]

does not matter

[adodds530]

I think that people should be free to interpret art however they like. So with that being said, I guess that I feel the original intention of the artist is less important than what other people take from it.

[clashloverben]

The music was lovely with this

[sach3]

i don't think it does matter, that's the beauty of it.

[Kringlebeast]

Lovely video as always, I think I agree with you on this, it really doesn't matter what the original intention of the work was, it's how you interpret it, and how you relate it to your life that counts.

That said, there's no harm in knowning the artists original intentions after you have decided how it makes you feel!

[Showgirly]

Beautiful reading. And as long as you get some sort of interpretation, well then, you have gotten it right and there is no wrong.

I love this clip!♥

[cybersmurfen]

Peter great video and lovely poem.

[punke217]

I don't know what it is, but I love this old man. [:

[drumr828]

I think I would have to say that art exists in the mind of the observer. Art to me is an abstract form of communication

[mrmegnus]

beautiful video

[WERTY317]

Variety really IS the spice of life. While original intention is important... the stretching of ones mind is the thing. For eating, traveling, movies, moving your furniture around.... do it.

A new girl/boy friend makes your heart race. (might step on it later, humm), same for a new motor cycle or a new car. Once you have gone into the night. There is no more feeling, sites, or tastes. Then to the new saying... It's all good.

[IWantLandingSnow]

Utterly Fantastic! =]

Wonderfull and Moving Video Peter.

♥

[mysticmagic4760]

Wonderful video!

[HoudiniRadini]

I'm currently studying literature as an undergrad, and intentionality is something we discuss a lot. I think essentially the meaning of a poem is constructed personally, but we should always remember that language is a social phenomenon, and that without some sort of presumed intentionality, it wouldn't be meaningful

[PapaNoMidokoro]

Peter, if you were sincerely moved by the work, you didn't "get it wrong". What you get from a work of art is no less valid than the artist's intention.

[ThrasherAleX]

i agree 100% awesome Gramps

[RuneScapeGuru1]

Nice one.

[Easterntractorboy135]

Great Video Peter :-D