Embrace

Chance Meetings
by Conrad Aiken
for D

In the mazes of loitering people,
the watchful and furtive,
In the drowse of the sunlight,
among the low voices,
I suddenly face you,

Your dark eyes return
for a space from her
who is with you.
They shine into mine
with a sunlit desire,
They say an 'I love you,
what star do you live on?'
They smile and then darken,

And silent, I answer, 'You too -
I have known you, -I love you!-'
Interlace with low voices
and footsteps and sunlight
To divide us forever.

Conrad Aiken (1889-1932)
American poet, short story writer, critic and novelist. Most of Aiken's work reflects his intense interest in psychoanalysis and the development of identity. As editor of Emily Dickinson's Selected Poems (1924) he was largely responsible for establishing that poet's posthumous literary reputation. From the 1920s Aiken divided his life between England and the United States, playing a significant role in introducing American poets to the British audience.

"All lovely things
will have an ending,
All lovely things
will fade and die,
And youth,
that's now so bravely spending,
Will beg a penny and by."
(from 'All Lovely Things
Will Have an Ending')

Conrad Aiken was born in Savannah, Georgia. In his childhood Aiken experienced a considerable trauma when he found the bodies of his parents-his physician father, brilliant but unstable, had killed his mother and committed suicide. When reaching the age of his father at the time of the tragedy, Aiken had also difficulties in keeping his depression at bay. In his "autobiographical narrative" USHANT: AN ESSAY (1952), Aiken confessed that finding his parents dead, he "found himself possessed of them forever".

For a complete list of his selected works, as well as the remainder of the article from which this text was gratefully taken, please visit:

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/caiken.htm

To listen in stereo, please click here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EuzT_uR-NqU&fmt=18

For a truly remarkable alternate version of this song by Lester Young,
click here. You will be glad you did.
http://oldfogey.podbean.com/2008/08/03/embraceable-you/

A special shout out for forgiveness, a lost art and rare commodity, taken to the form of high art by discerning Viking spirits.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Conrad
• Aiken
• George
• Gershwin
• Lester
• Young
• blindfolds
• closed
• eyes
• bliss

[haerverk]

Redemtion set in motion I see. Highly appreciated, T. Is this the original version?

[loveyoutodeathbut]

This version is by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg from her CD, Humoresque. That other version by Lester Young has been on a loop all night here, can't get enough of it.

[eihwazone]

Beautiful video!! I've never seen so many different starfish. The music is perfect. I really enjoyed it. ;-)

[jcmegabyte]

Thanks for all the stars! I have 5 for you too :D

[nightwolf014]

wonderfully put together.:D jodie

[Deadright07]

Nearly there thanxs, just a few good vidsmore then i would be stress free.

[timbco475]

beautiful thanks for sharing 5 *

[Lihinel]

Not quite as light as some of your last ones, nice change of pace.