"The Cinnamon Peeler" by Michael Ondaatje (poetry reading)

[ChristInLimbo]

The poem was beautiful and the woman at the end of the video was beautiful. We cannot forget that your readings are beautiful also.

[goddessjess]

Love love love love this intensely sensuous poem...;)

[DragonflyGirl09]

This poem REEKS of beauty, and lust, and passion! LOVED it, thank you!!

[thissong4you]

I was lead to your channel not by Roger Ebert's column, but by my love of Yeats. Finding the rich treasure trove of poems you have posted was an unexpected bonanza. I listened to this poem the first day I found your channel and have listened to it many times since. (Is it not fitting to my search that the first poem you posted was Yeats' "Sailing to Byzantium?") Thank you, again.

[thissong4you]

I love the eroticism of this poem and your reading of it. Beautiful.

[JossJossJoss1]

well that's a bloody amazing piece of writing. bugger me I'm astonished. wow. wow wow wow. cheers Mr Bedlam

[odatmatt]

so glad you are back I love your readings and this poem blew me away!

[ajsharkmaniac07]

@NylonGoddess if you read the roger ebert interview with Youtube in connection with this vids censorship, all they do is dodge the question and whine about how 20 hours of video gets uploaded a minute. I just dont imagine it being all that difficult to regulate false flagging, if they really wanted to.

[LittlPussi]

@ajsharkmaniac07 Yes, YT should definitely be more permissive. The example of Spokenverse is a very blatant one, but I can imagine the problems atheists can have. I know from own experience how easily anti-zionist (not anti-jewish-) channels get suspended. A less trigger-happy system would be very welcome.

[FacetonoFace]

A beautiful reading and the picture also captured beauty.

[scifiwritir]

Great reading. Thank you, Spoken.

[chitchenshi]

It's a beautiful photo, and a beautiful poem.

(I had no idea that Roger Ebert had discovered your channel too.)

[POKVARENISIR]

my favorite poem...and i read a lot of poems

[MasterAtheist]

i typically hate free verse, but this was pretty good, odd, but good, and the nipple helped not gunna lie

[grannyoh]

lovely

[Madman2759]

I too applaud Roger Ebert for bringing my attention to this channel. I am glad that the reading of this poem was reinstated, as the last visual goes perfectly with the image left with the listener at the end of the poem. I'm also glad that youtube finally realized its mistake and did not let censorship destroy a great work of art.

[elljayusmaximus]

Interesting when it switches from "If I were" to "I did..."

[emailsynn]

I'm almost at a loss for words, beautiful, simply beautiful.

[6236478]

amazing

[ohbeehave1790]

Thank you, Mr. Ebert.

[slateflyfisher]

Wondrous words of joy!

[altfreak2]

That was perfect

[garybetz]

Beautiful!!!

[jackbox1971]

I am sorry this caused you to be sanctioned. Again the double standard that treats vulgarity and crassness with more latitude than adult eloquence and erotic discourse has proven to be a poor arbiter of taste.

[kindofkylie]

It instantly made me think of The English Patient- the scene where he points to the hollow at the base of her throat and says he wants to live there- and you can see it pulsing. The beginning of this poem where he describes small, obscure body parts with that same love and detail. Well, it's the same writer.

[blazehok]

Thank you Mr Ebert. A beautiful poem.

[SpokenVerse]

The sidebar has been modified with information about the controversy this video caused. It also gives a link to the site where the picture was found.

[Merricat42]

I second these thanks, and add my voice to the chorus of those grateful to be led to this channel.

I don't know why it was almost canceled. And it doesn't matter. The threat was enough to prompt Mr. Ebert to reach out and write about it, and I'm grateful. Now that I've learned about it, I'll do whatever I can to fight any threat to it. But first I had to learn it did exist.

Thank you, SpokenWord. You read beautifully. I look forward hours spent in your archives.

Subscribed.

[slateflyfisher]

I also join the chorus to applaud Roger Ebert for bring this site to my attention and will access these spoken words as much as possibile.

[revolvyall]

Sankoo Mr. Ebert. But who is the reader?

[carlo88moe]

mr ebert, lol, i think we come from the same recommendation

[Tripp393]

"crease that cuts your back"

DAMN!

[alanna4858]

the most haunting amazing lovely poem ive heard. why is rating disabled. are you on itunes? i want to listen to these on the bus. This series is amazing.

[Mimameior]

So what exactly makes this 'unsuitable for minors'? It's great that YouTube has standards, but people also need common-sense... sadly lacking in today's society. Thanks for the reading!

[prsguitarsr4me]

breathtaking

[munimulah]

Thanks, Roger Ebert - one of my favourite poems, but I never would've thought to look for it on YouTube.

[bleendy]

Perfect , and thank-you Roger Ebert for making me aware of this .

[sweetzombielover]

This is one of my favorite poems... you read it exceptionally. What a pleasure...

[pieries]

my hair is standing on end....haunting.

[dashpoet]

Rich reading of an evocative poem - thank you.

[IceBarrier]

So intense, sensual, full of scents and sensations. Thank you for a beautiful reading. Thanks also to my dear friend for sharing this jewel with me.

[sleepingTitania]

Beautiful... thankyou!

[somor98]

You stole the words right out of my mouth.