The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#1

Post by pelt » Tue, Nov 19, 2019, 6:49 PM UTC

The Auden Poem Auden Hated
commentarymagazine.com

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#2

Post by brian_herman__ » Tue, Nov 19, 2019, 10:14 PM UTC

I wish they would post the full text of the poem... https://poets.org/poem/september-1-1939

edit: Added full text instead of text.

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#3

Post by motohagiography » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 12:51 AM UTC

Poetry presupposes that insight is important and I don't think this value has survived the internet. It's generational. Summing up something complex in a pithy statement cuts off discussion, and with it, the narcissistic supply that people call empathy these days.

Auden was a fey sentimentalist, and of poets whose work is relevant today, the other ones mentioned in the article (Larkin, Frost, and I'd add, Blake) should be the first stop.

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#4

Post by hanoz » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 2:54 AM UTC

motohagiography wrote: post #3

Poetry presupposes that insight is important and I don't think this value has survived the internet. It's generational. Summing up something complex in a pithy statement cuts off discussion, and with it, the narcissistic supply that people call empathy these days. Auden was a fey sentimentalist, and of poets whose work is relevant today, the other ones mentioned in the article (Larkin, Frost, and I'd add, Blake) shou…

I have little comprehension of what you've just said, but for any other philistines like me, who like their poetry like they like their coffee - regular, and in black and white - your first stop with Auden should be aboard this: https://youtu.be/zmciuKsBOi0

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#5

Post by emmelaich » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 2:55 AM UTC

I think the better remembered and quotable poem by W.H.Auden is https://poets.org/poem/i-walked-out-one-evening.

> You shall love your crooked neighbour / With your crooked heart.

Not that this sentiment is original with Auden.

The "basin" verse gave me chills the first time I heard/read it.

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#6

Post by emmelaich » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 3:00 AM UTC

hanoz wrote: post #4

motohagiography wrote: post #3

Poetry presupposes that insight is important and I don't think this value has survived the internet. It's generational. Summing up something complex in a pithy statement cuts off discussion, and with it, the narcissistic supply that people call empathy these days. Auden was a fey sentimentalist, and of poets whose work is relevant today, the other ones mentioned in the article (Larkin, Frost, and I'd add, Blake) shou…

I have little comprehension of what you've just said, but for any other philistines like me, who like their poetry like they like their coffee - regular, and in black and white - your first stop with Auden should be aboard this: https://youtu.be/zmciuKsBOi0

You can also hear Auden himself recite "As I Walked Out One Evening"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q__Z185H8I&t=2s

Re: The Auden Poem Auden Hated

#7

Post by hanoz » Wed, Nov 20, 2019, 3:14 AM UTC

emmelaich wrote: post #6

hanoz wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have little comprehension of what you've just said, but for any other philistines like me, who like their poetry like they like their coffee - regular, and in black and white - your first stop with Auden should be aboard this: https://youtu.be/zmciuKsBOi0

You can also hear Auden himself recite "As I Walked Out One Evening" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q__Z185H8I&t=2s

Arresting. Thank you for that.