~Gerald Clarke
Can "to be" be a poem? Watch how Richard Burton says it and let me know what you think. I'm also sharing his reading of a ghazal by James Elroy Flecker.
One more quote:
You may be as vicious about me as you please. You will only do me justice.
~Richard Burton
Mainely Write has the Poetry Friday round-up today.
10 comments:
"They are." Two words that took an awful lot of space in that video! And yes, I guess "To be" is a poem if it's spoken as one. I have an awful lot of discomfort reading my poems out loud, which makes me wonder if a real poet needs to be a performer, too?
What a gift, that instrument of his! Swoon worthy. :-)
We are fortunate to have the tools by which we can continue to love that voice, aren't we? I loved the greatest poem, the way Burton took such time. Thanks, Tabatha. Have a lovely holiday weekend!
Simple but powerful words.
Is it the Welshman in Burton that makes his language come out so thrillingly? Gad, just the way he repeats "Jazmin " - !! Swoon.
It's wonderful to hear someone deliver a poem well, isn't it? Of course, Burton was trained to do it, but I think a poet who wasn't trained and still manages to make a poem sound glorious is a miracle - Seamus Heaney could do it. Thomas Lux is a wonderful example, too.
Thanks for posting this, Tabatha - I fell into it and spent some real time looking around on YouTube, listening to other Burton recordings.
Dang! So, so profound. Thanks for sharing, Tabatha! =)
Tabatha, it's so lovely that you posted this! I just finished reading Jess Walter's novel BEAUTIFUL RUINS. Richard Burton plays a huge role in the narrative. It's very cool to see this clip of him.
Such a rich, enticing, commanding voice. Thanks for sharing these treasures. "I AM" - if not a poem precisely - is certainly a history-altering declaration, with continued infinite possibilities..... I too was struck by Burton's taking of time in these clips.
I do think timing is so important in the reading of poetry, just like oral reading of stories. Timing is everything. Of course having a "well-oiled" voice and presence helps, too!
His voice is like stroking a tiger: soothing, strong, powerful, contained... for now. The danger always present. Not that I've ever stroked a tiger, mind you, but that's the metaphor that comes to mind.
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