Please be patient with me, but that rabble-rouser (she said affectionately), known as Reality Zone, posted this cool Charles Bukowski video on his site. I warned him I was stealing it, making this sort of a Charles Bukowski trifecta. I was so moved when I first listened to it, I was in tears. Then I listened about four more times. And I'm still moved. This poem probably says more about the man than any one or any thing else ever has, or could. It may not be him reading it (see addendum), but I love the reading, his words are powerful, and I always appreciate seeing into someone's heart through their own words, rather than filtered through my perception.
Thanks RZ, for posting it, for sharing personal experiences in response to my last post, and for being so gracious about my re-post. Here's a link to RZ's site, a go-to place for non-mainstream news, politics, metaphysics, and music. You never know what you're going to get. It's always interesting, starting with his avatar (above), artwork by Alex Grey: realityzone-realityzone.blogspot.com
Addendum: With a little further investigation, I have discovered the wonderful reader is a British actor who goes by the pseudonym Thomas O'Bedlam on his youtube channel. The name alludes to an interesting, anonymous poem from the 1600's: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_o'_Bedlam. To add to the intrigue, Roger Ebert says we should be able to guess the actor if we listen close enough. Regardless, it's a great poem and a great reader.
Only 1:57, then I promise I'll move on.
Beautiful and sad.
ReplyDeleteIt's so timely. That gravely voice really matched the words and the picture, even thou it may not have been his.
ReplyDeleteThe few words are really thought provoking. Thanks, Teresa
Very nice, I enjoyed this and listened to many others.I have a 2 CD set of him reading that is nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful poem and a sad voice. Maybe someone saw that bluebird in his heart after all.
ReplyDeleteGreat poetry from a troubled soul.
very poignant...he should free the bluebird.
ReplyDeleteReally quite wonderful. Now that I think of it, I'm sure I know a person or two with a bluebird in their hearts, and I might even send this to them.
ReplyDeleteThe poem makes me sad on their behalf, but not on my own. I discovered one day that I have my own bird - nothing so elegant as a singing bluebird, but perhaps a chirping sparrow. I've learned to let it out now and then, and its chirping makes me happy!
Oh wow,far out.
ReplyDeleteI am honored and humbled.
Well I guess now the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. :-)
May you and all of your great readers find that special Bluebird within Self.
Some may find a Sparrow.
But try not to listen to the Parrot. :-)
We have been doing that for way too long. LOL
ANNIE, Beautiful, yes. Sad in human terms, but in metaphysical terms I see something Very uplifting. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I love your latest post.
ReplyDeleteMANZANITA, You are most welcome. Thanks for the wisdom and courage you've shown with your latest post.
STEVE, That sounds like a good thing to have. I just watched another video of him reading segments of three poems. Very intriguing person. Love his insights into the human condition.
GRETHE, Sometimes I wonder if the people who appear the most troubled to us are the most aware, filled with insight and understanding of what it means to be human. He definitely found joy in this crazy life, too. Maybe we are seeing the bluebird in his heart right now. :)
LADYCAT, I suspect his inner bluebird has most definitely been freed. We're just reading and talking about it now.
SHOREACRES, Sparrows are good, too, and wrens! It reminds me of that wonderful piece by Maya Angelou, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
RZ, "Oh wow, Far out." Love it. So glad someone speaks "60's." And, I am so glad you posted this originally. You've expanded my heart and my world. And I thank you.
No parrots. ;)
Thanks for the recitation of the Bukowski poem. Aren't all of us who blog letting the bluebird out each time we do?
ReplyDeleteMesmerizing ...Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned.
ReplyDeleteWILDFLOWERS, That is a lovely thought. I like that. Thanks so much for coming by.
ReplyDeleteWANDA, Good word to describe it. You're most welcome!
FARMLADY, I was, too. Re-watching helped it settle in, but I remain moved by it every time I listen/read.
Bukowski is a fascinating study in human behavior and point of view. He had so much talent. I've often wondered if his addictions aided his talent, or if we would have seen even more beauty behind the man had he been sober for most of his life.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, as someone says above, troubled people may be more aware. After all haven't they seen a side most only imagine?
Wild Bill, He certainly is. These are ongoing questions for me. It's impossible to know, but so many very talented people were also very troubled. Does it go hand in hand? It seems so, but creativity is found in others also. Wonderful creativity.
ReplyDeleteThat was my remark to Thyra (Grethe) and yes, they at least have been willing to tell us about it in a variety of mediums and genres. Perhaps we are provided a way to expel our lesser angels vicariously.
Dear Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI went to the library yesterday and got the collected works of Bukowski. The thick volume sits on my nightstand, waiting for me. Thank you for introducing me to so many contemporary and modern poets. I'm stuck back in eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. It's time to meet new poets and you are helping me do that.
Hearing this deep, gravelly voice read Bukowski's "Bluebird," I am filled with a poignancy that almost weeps from my pores. Someone in the comments said that maybe in this poem we see him let free the bluebird. I hope so.
What is sad to me is that we all have within us a singing bird that en-joys us. And so often we stifle the voice for fear the singing with disturb someone.
Oh, let us sing and find joy in the morning.
Peace.
Truth. If he's serious, he makes me sad. Must be awful to have to hide your happiness from everyone on earth.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew it was more tongue in cheek so that there would be some form of humor in it I would like it better.
I don't know what to think of him...even if the poetry itself is good. ??
Dee, I normally take my Bukowski in small doses. Let me know what you think. His honesty can be astonishing. ... Yes, weeping from your pores poignancy.
ReplyDeleteRita, Oh, he's serious, alright. His humor is not your run of the mill humor, either. But, I want to read him now and then to remember how Life can be for some, and still is for many. And, more than anything, to honor this man and his poetry. He's not everybody's cup of tea. As I mentioned to Dee, I take my Bukoswki in small doses normally. But, for some reason, he was speaking to me for a few days and I wanted to respond.
Poetry today? - http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/rhyme-and-reason-in-the-age-of-twitter-internet-dependency-reality-tv-poetry-still-offers-us-what-nothing-else-can/2011/10/27/gIQAEghXtP_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_world
ReplyDeleteTony, I'm so sorry that the comment section won't take that as a direct link, because it's a wonderful article. I hope others check it out. I love Merwin's thought about pencils and the One Word, trees that are good friends. He is so cool, isn't he? Thank you so much for thinking of me and passing that along. I love that poetry seems to be re-emerging. It offers a salvation of sorts, if people will listen.
ReplyDelete