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- From guest Skinmelin (contact)
Completely disagree that this is ironic or, indeed, a bouncy tone. If anything I think the tone is resigned. Lists are ended with a clear statement 'I was wrong'. I think the 'tone' of Judith Klau's comment was very patronising. The crepe refers to what widows or children of the dead were expected to wear around their collars and cuffs; usually white. Not bow-ties.
Read more →Completely disagree that this is ironic or, indeed, a bouncy tone. If anything I think the tone is resigned. Lists are ended with a clear statement 'I was wrong'. I think the 'tone' of Judith Klau's comment was very patronising. The crepe refers to what widows or children of the dead were expected to wear around their collars and cuffs; usually white. Not bow-ties.
- From guest Carolyn Polisky (contact)
This movie came about about the same time as my husband's death. When I heard this poem, it seemed to have been writen for me. It was the end of my world and the scottish gentleman who recited it did an excellent job of ripping my heart out. I get the same feeling each time I hear it. But it is so beautiful. It renewed my interest in poetry.
Read more →This movie came about about the same time as my husband's death. When I heard this poem, it seemed to have been writen for me. It was the end of my world and the scottish gentleman who recited it did an excellent job of ripping my heart out. I get the same feeling each time I hear it. But it is so beautiful. It renewed my interest in poetry.
- From guest Helen Storey (contact)
This 'poem' is from a play The Ascent of F6 written with Christopher Isherwood about Michael Ransom trying to climb F6,a Himalayan mountain, for his mother. The lament is for his brother, James, who died and whom he was trying to out-shine!!!
MOD MESSAGE
Thank you for the details
Read more →This 'poem' is from a play The Ascent of F6 written with Christopher Isherwood about Michael Ransom trying to climb F6,a Himalayan mountain, for his mother. The lament is for his brother, James, who died and whom he was trying to out-shine!!!
MOD MESSAGE
Thank you for the details
- From guest Judith Klau (contact)
Oh dear, folks, this poem is ironic! Look at its bouncing rhythm, its ridiculous images (a dog and a juicy bone, pigeons wearing neckties) and recognize that Auden's narrator was saying grimly but with humor, My God, I was SO in love with this guy and now it's over and I'm still alive! And though I am feeling unutterably maudlin, the situation is ridiculous. Yes, he was sad, but he was also laughing at himself. Pay attention to what is called 'tone,' the writer's attitude towards his material. PLEASE do not have it tattooed on your arm (or anyplace else) because some day, having loved and lost, you will wake up and laugh at yourself too.
Read more →Oh dear, folks, this poem is ironic! Look at its bouncing rhythm, its ridiculous images (a dog and a juicy bone, pigeons wearing neckties) and recognize that Auden's narrator was saying grimly but with humor, My God, I was SO in love with this guy and now it's over and I'm still alive! And though I am feeling unutterably maudlin, the situation is ridiculous. Yes, he was sad, but he was also laughing at himself. Pay attention to what is called 'tone,' the writer's attitude towards his material. PLEASE do not have it tattooed on your arm (or anyplace else) because some day, having loved and lost, you will wake up and laugh at yourself too.
Frownsnfreckles - A very interesting and informative piece. Thanks for the information.
Frownsnfreckles - Thanks very much for your help Jim
I-Like-Rhymes - As with many questions there is a really good comment already here with the answer you want. It was sent on 17th Jan and gives you details of Auden's lover who it was written for. Just go down as far as you can and hit the next page (or show all) link after the comments.
Jim
Jim
Frownsnfreckles - Does anyone know who this was written for? Was it a particular person in his or public life?
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Amazing.
The speaker's desperate plea to halt the passage of time, silence all noise, and bring the world to a standstill reflects the profound impact of their loss. The symbolic actions, such as putting crepe bows on doves and packing up the moon, depict the surreal and surrealistic nature of grief.
At the heart of the poem lies the devastating realization that the deceased was the speaker's everything - their North, South, East, and West. The final lines, "For nothing now can ever come to any good," encapsulate the speaker's belief that their world has been irrevocably shattered by the loss.
This poem is a haunting meditation on love, loss, and the enduring pain of grief. It resonates with me as I lost my dad in 2017 and he was my best friend. This is exactly how I felt, my world completely stopped and shattered. You perfectly captured the emptiness someone feels after losing someone they loved so much.
Liked it!