Guys Reading Poems (2016) - full transcript

"REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR

IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH,

WHILE THE EVIL DAYS COME NOT,

NOR THE YEARS DRAW NIGH,

WHEN THOU SHALT SAY,
"I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM..."

WHILE THE SUN, OR THE LIGHT,

OR THE MOON, OR THE STARS,

BE NOT DARKENED,

NOR THE CLOUDS RETURN AFTER THE RAIN...

IN THE DAY WHEN THE KEEPERS
OF THE HOUSE SHALL TREMBLE...

AND THE STRONG MEN SHALL BOW THEMSELVES...



AND THE GRINDERS CEASE

BECAUSE THEY ARE FEW...

AND THOSE THAT LOOK OUT
THE WINDOWS BE DARKENED,

AND THE DOORS SHALL BE SHUT IN THE STREETS,

WHEN THE SOUND OF THE GRINDING IS LOW...

AND HE SHALL RISE UP

AT THE VOICE OF THE BIRD...

AND ALL THE DAUGHTERS OF MUSIC...

SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW...

ALSO WHEN THEY SHALL BE AFRAID
OF THAT WHICH IS HIGH...

AND FEARS SHALL BE IN THE WAY...

AND THE ALMOND TREE SHALL FLOURISH,

AND THE GRASSHOPPER SHALL BE A BURDEN...

AND DESIRE SHALL FAIL...



BECAUSE MAN GOETH TO HIS LONG HOME...

AND MOURNERS GO ABOUT THE STREETS...

OR EVER THE SILVER CORD BE LOOSED,

OR THE GOLDEN BOWL BE BROKEN,

OR THE PITCHER BE BROKEN AT THE FOUNTAIN,

OR THE WHEEL BROKEN AT THE CISTERN,

THEN SHALL THE DUST RETURN
TO THE EARTH AS IT WAS,

AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN
UNTO GOD WHO GAVE IT."

"WHAT I SHALL LEAVE THEE, NONE CAN TELL,

BUT ALL SHALL SAY I WISH THEE WELL.

I WISH THEE, VIN, BEFORE ALL WEALTH,

BOTH BODILY AND GHOSTLY HEALTH,

NOR TOO MUCH WEALTH,

NOR WIT, COME TO THEE,

SO MUCH OF EITHER MAY UNDO THEE.

I WISH THEE LEARNING NOT FOR SHOW,

ENOUGH FOR TO INSTRUCT AND KNOW-

NOT SUCH AS GENTLEMEN REQUIRE

TO PRATE AT TABLE OR AT FIRE.

I WISH THEE ALL THY MOTHER'S GRACES...

THY FATHER'S FORTUNES AND HIS PLACES.

I WISH THEE FRIENDS, AND ONE AT COURT,

NOT TO BUILD ON, BUT SUPPORT,

TO KEEP THEE,
NOT IN DOING MANY OPPRESSIONS,

BUT FROM SUFFERING ANY.

I WISH THEE PEACE IN ALL THY WAYS,

NOR LAZY NOR CONTENTIOUS DAYS,

AND WHEN THY SOUL AND BODY PART,

AS INNOCENT AS NOW THOU ART."

"THE WHISTLING BOY WHO HOLDS THE PLOUGH,

LURED BY THE TALE THAT SOLDIERS TELL,

RESOLVES TO PART,

YET KNOWS NOT HOW TO LEAVE
THIS LAND HE LOVES SO WELL.

HE NOW REJECTS THE THOUGHT,

AND NOW LOOKS O'ER THE LEA,
AND SIGHS "FAREWELL!"

"FAREWELL!" THE PENSIVE MAIDEN CRIES,

WHO DREAMS OF LONDON,

DREAMS AWAKE--

BUT WHEN HER FAVORITE LAD SHE SPIES,

WITH WHOM SHE LOVED HER WAY TO TAKE,

THEN DOUBTS WITHIN HER SOUL ARISE,

AND EQUAL HOPES HER BOSOM SHAKE.

THUS, LIKE THE BOY,

AND LIKE THE MAID,

I WISH TO GO,

YET TARRY HERE,

AND NOW RESOLVED,

AND NOW AFRAID,

TO MINDS DISTURBED OLD VIEWS APPEAR

IN MELANCHOLY CHARMS ARRAYED,

AND ONCE, INDIFFERENT, NOW ARE DEAR.

HOW SHALL I GO, MY FATE TO LEARN,

AND, OH! HOW TAUGHT SHALL I RETURN?"

HEY, KID.

YOU WANT TO, UH, PLAY?

VERY GOOD.

NOW, YOU KNOW THE DRILL, RIGHT?

FIND THE LADY, NOT THE GUYS.

WATCH CLOSELY,

WHICH ONE?

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
OKAY, HOLD ON, HOLD ON.

LET'S DOUBLE UP, IF YOU'RE GOOD, RIGHT?

HERE WE GO. LET'S GO.

AH.

BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH...

DA-DUM!

COME ON.

LET'S GO.

"MY MOTHER GROANED.

MY FATHER WEPT.

INTO THE DANGEROUS WORLD I LEAPT--

HELPLESS, NAKED, PIPING LOUD,

LIKE A FIEND HID IN A CLOUD.

STRUGGLING IN MY FATHER'S HANDS,

STRIVING AGAINST MY SWADDLING BANDS.

BOUND AND WEARY,

I THOUGHT BEST

TO SULK UPON MY MOTHERS BREAST."

COME OVER HERE.

OVER THERE.

GO OVER THERE.

THEY SENT US TO SCHOOLS WHERE WE MUST GIVE

OUR LIVES THAT WE LEAD UNTIL THEN.

GO OVER-- GIVE ME THAT.

ADULT AS HE MEMORIZES LESSONS

THAT LEAVE NO TIME FOR PRESENTS.

GIVE IT TO ME.

RIGHT NOW.

HERE.

GIVE ME YOUR HAND.

STAY HERE.

THANK YOU.

"OUT OF THE NOISE OF TIRED PEOPLE WORKING,

HARRIED WITH THOUGHTS OF WAR
AND LISTS OF DEAD...

HIS BEAUTY MET ME LIKE
A FRESH WIND BLOWING,

CLEAN, BOYISH BEAUTY AND HIGH-HELD HEAD.

EYES THAT TOLD SECRETS,

LIPS THAT WOULD NOT TELL THEM...

FEARLESS AND SHY THE YOUNG UNWEARIED EYES.

MEN DIE BY THE MILLIONS NOW,

BECAUSE GOD BLUNDERS...

YET TO HAVE MADE THIS BOY,
HE MUST BE WISE."

HOW LONG WAS HE LIKE THAT?

I DON'T KNOW. I SENT HIM TO TIME OUT.

ANSWER THE QUESTION.
30 MINUTES OR THREE HOURS?

IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, OKAY? I'M TIRED.

"IF I SPEAK IN THE TONGUES OF MEN

OR OF ANGELS,

BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE,

I'M ONLY A RESOUNDING GONG,

A CLANGING CYMBAL.

IF I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

AND CAN FATHOM ALL MYSTERIES

AND ALL KNOWLEDGE,

AND IF I HAVE A FAITH
THAT CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS,

BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE,

I GAIN NOTHING.

IF I GIVE ALL I POSSESS TO POOR..."

"AND GIVE OVER MY BODY TO HARDSHIP,

THAT I MAY BOAST,

BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE,

I GAIN NOTHING.

LOVE IS PATIENT. LOVE IS KIND.

IT DOES NOT ENVY. IT DOES NOT BOAST.

IT IS NOT PROUD.

IT DOES NOT DISHONOR OTHERS.

IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING.

IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED.

IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS..,

LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL,

BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH.

IT ALWAYS PROTECTS,

ALWAYS TRUSTS,

ALWAYS HOPES,

AND ALWAYS PERSEVERES.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

BUT WHERE THERE
ARE PROPHECIES, THEY WILL FAIL.

WHERE THERE ARE TONGUES, THEY WILL CEASE.

WHERE THERE IS KNOWLEDGE,

IT WILL VANISH.

FOR WE KNOW IN PART

WE PROPHESY IN PART

BUT WHEN COMPLETENESS COMES,

WHAT IS IN PART DISAPPEARS.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD,

I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD,

I REASONED LIKE A CHILD,

BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN,

I PUT THE WAYS OF CHILDHOOD BEHIND ME.

FOR NOW WE SEE ONLY
A REFLECTION, AS IN A MIRROR...

THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE.

NOW I KNOW IN PART,

THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY,

EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN."

YES!

"AND THESE THREE REMAIN:

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE,

BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE."

LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED ONE.

I DON'T SMOKE.

CELIA?

CELIA.

"COME, MY CELIA, LET US PROVE,
WHILE WE CAN,

THE SPORTS OF LOVE.

TIME WILL NOT BE OURS FOREVER.

HE AT LENGTH OUR GOODS WILL SEVER.

SPEND NOT THEN HIS GIFTS IN VAIN.

SUNS THAT SET MAY RISE AGAIN;

BUT IF ONCE WE LOSE THIS LIGHT,

'TIS WITH US PERPETUAL NIGHT.

WHY SHOULD WE DEFER OUR JOYS?

FAME AND RUMOR ARE BUT TOYS.

CANNOT WE DELUDE THE EYES

OF A FEW POOR HOUSEHOLD SPIES,

OR HIS EASIER EARS BEGUILE,

THUS REMOVED BY OUR WILE?

'TIS NO SIN LOVE'S FRUITS TO STEAL,

BUT SWEET THEFTS TO REVEAL,

TO BE TAKEN,

TO BE SEEN,

THESE HAVE CRIMES ACCOUNTED BEEN."

"IN PEACE, LOVE TUNES THE SHEPHERD'S REED,

IN WAR, HE MOUNTS THE WARRIOR'S STEED.

IN HALLS, IN GAY ATTIRE IS SEEN.

IN HAMLETS, DANCES ON THE GREEN.

LOVE RULES THE COURT,

THE CAMP, THE GROVE,

AND MEN BELOW, AND SAINTS ABOVE,

FOR LOVE IS HEAVEN, AND HEAVEN IS LOVE."

MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?

THIS IS THE FIRST BOARDING CALL

FOR THE 3:00 BUS GOING TO LOS ANGELES.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR TICKET READY

TO PRESENT TO YOUR DRIVER

AT GATE FOUR.

"NEVER SEEK TO TELL THY LOVE

LOVE THAT NEVER TOLD CAN BE.

FOR THE GENTLE WIND DOES MOVE

SILENTLY,

INVISIBLY.

I TOLD MY LOVE,

I TOLD MY LOVE,

I TOLD HER ALL MY HEART

TREMBLING COLD IN GHASTLY FEARS.

AH, SHE DID DEPART.

AS SOON AS SHE WAS GONE FROM ME

A TRAVELER CAME BY.

SILENTLY,

INVISIBLY,

HE TOOK HER WITH A SIGH."

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN MOMMY.

HE'S NOT HOME.

MMM.

DID YOU SEE HER WITH DADDY TONIGHT?

NO? NO?

WHAT'S HIS NAME?

HE'S SO CUTE.

SHH...

"WHEN I HEARD

AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY

HOW MY NAME HAD BEEN RECEIVED

WITH PLAUDITS IN THE CAPITOL,

STILL IT WAS NOT A HAPPY NIGHT
FOR ME THAT FOLLOWED,

AND ELSE WHEN I CAROUSED,

OR WHEN MY PLANS WERE ACCOMPLISHED,

STILL I WAS NOT HAPPY."

IT'S REALLY HAPPENING.

"BUT THE DAY WHEN I ROSE AT DAWN

FROM THE BED OF PERFECT HEALTH,

REFRESHED, SINGING,

INHALING THE RIPE BREATH OF AUTUMN,

WHEN I SAW THE FULL MOON
IN THE WEST GROW PALE

AND DISAPPEAR INTO THE MORNING LIGHT,

WHEN I WANDERED ALONE OVER THE BEACH,

AND UNDRESSING BATHED,

LAUGHING WITH THE COOL WATERS,

AND SAW THE SUN RISE,

AND WHEN I THOUGHT
HOW MY DEAR FRIEND, MY LOVER,

WAS ON HIS WAY COMING,

O, THEN I WAS HAPPY.

O THEN EACH BREATH TASTED SWEETER,

AND ALL THAT DAY MY FOOD NOURISHED ME MORE,

AND THE BEAUTIFUL DAY PASSED WELL,

AND THE NEXT CAME WITH EQUAL JOY,

AND WITH THE NEXT AT EVENING
CAME MY FRIEND.

AND THAT NIGHT

WHILE ALL WAS STILL

I HEARD THE WATERS ROLL SLOWLY

CONTINUALLY UP THE SHORES.

I HEARD THE HISSING RUSTLE
OF THE LIQUID AND SANDS

AS DIRECTED TO ME

WHISPERING TO CONGRATULATE ME,

FOR THE ONE I LOVE MOST LAY SLEEPING BY ME

UNDER THE SAME COVER IN THE COOL NIGHT,

IN THE STILLNESS IN THE AUTUMN MOONBEAMS.

HIS FACE WAS INCLINED TOWARD ME,

AND HIS ARM LAY LIGHTLY AROUND MY BREAST--

AND THAT NIGHT I WAS HAPPY."

I WANT TO GO WITH THE ONE I LOVE.

I DO NOT WANT TO CALCULATE THE COST.

I DO NOT WANT TO THINK
ABOUT WHETHER IT'S GOOD.

I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHETHER HE LOVES ME.

I WANT TO GO WITH WHOM I LOVE.

MY FRIEND...

NEW YORK IS NO PLACE FOR A KID THAT YOUNG,

NOT WITHOUT HIS MOTHER.

YOU'LL SEE HIM IN EIGHT WEEKS.

GO.

I SAID, "I WANT A LOVER."

GOD SAID, "GO WITHOUT.
LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FRIENDS.

THEY NEED YOU."

I SAID, "IT'S ABOUT TIME I WAS FAMOUS."

GOD SAID, "WHAT IS FAME ANYWAY?

I SAID, "I WANT A LOVER."

GOD SAID, "HERE'S A PUG. CALL HIM ROMEO."

I SAID, "WHAT ABOUT ACTING CREDITS?"

GOD SAID, "I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE LESSONS."

I SAID, "BUT I WANT TO BE IN MOVIES."

GOD SAID, "AWESOME.

HERE'S A CAMERA."

"I REALLY NEED A LOVER,"

I EXPLAINED.

"YOU SEE, MY HEART IS BROKEN."

GOD SAID, "MINE, TOO."

I SAID, "CAN I AT LEAST BE HAPPY
WITH JUST WHAT I HAVE?"

GOD SAID, "UP TO YOU."

I SAID,

"I STILL WANT A LOVER."

GOD SAID, "ENOUGH ALREADY.

I DON'T EVEN GET TO MAKE OUT WITH ANYTHING.

THE MOON IS FRIGID.
THE SUN'S HIGH MAINTENANCE.

IT'S WAY TOO DANGEROUS TO HUG
SATURN WITH ALL THOSE RINGS,

AND, TECHNICALLY, EVEN THE
FARTHERST GALAXY FROM THE MILKY WAY

IS STILL ME.

IF I CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT
A LOVER, SO CAN YOU."

SOMETHING ABOUT GOD NOT HAVING A LOVER

SHOOK ME TO THE CORE,

AND I STARTED TO CRY.

GOD TRIED TO GIVE ME A HIGH FIVE

AND MADE SILLY, STUPID FACES,

BUT I WASN'T IN THE MOOD.

I SAID, "I CAN'T HELP IT.

I'M STILL HOPING TO FIND LOVE."

GOD SAID, "NOW YOU'RE TALKING."

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON,

AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN.

A TIME TO BE BORN,

AND A TIME TO DIE;

A TIME TO PLANT,

AND A TIME TO PLUCK UP
THAT WHICH IS PLANTED,

A TIME TO KILL,

A TIME TO HEAL,

A TIME TO BREAK DOWN,

AND A TIME TO BUILD UP,

A TIME TO WEEP,

AND A TIME TO LAUGH.

A TIME TO MOURN,

AND A TIME TO DANCE.

A TIME TO CAST AWAY STONES,

AND A TIME TO GATHER STONES TOGETHER...

A TIME TO EMBRACE,

AND A TIME TO REFRAIN FROM EMBRACING.

A TIME TO GET,

AND A TIME TO LOSE.

A TIME TO KEEP,

AND A TIME TO CAST AWAY,

A TIME TO REND,

AND A TIME TO SEW.

A TIME TO KEEP SILENCE...

AND A TIME TO SPEAK;

A TIME TO LOVE,

AND A TIME TO HATE,

A TIME OF WAR,

AND A TIME OF PEACE.

HI. THIS IS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN.

WE ARE INVITING ALL THE CHILDREN

IN THE HOUSE TO COME AND STAY WITH US.

MEET MY BEST FRIEND.

- HI.
- HELLO.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN

WITH SO MANY FRIENDS.

LET'S GO.

OKAY, WHOEVER DOESN'T COME

IS GOING TO MISS THE FUN.

ALL RIGHT, BYE,

OH, YOU'RE HERE.

HEY, YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT NECESSARY.

WHAT? STOP IT.

I'M GETTING OUT OF HERE.

ME TOO,

MOMMY, LET ME OUT.

MOMMY, LET ME OUT!

MOMMY, LET ME OUT!

PEOPLE--

YOU TRY.

"I WANDERED

LONELY AS A CLOUD

THAT FLOATS ON HIGH OVER VALES AND HILLS...

WHEN ALL AT ONCE I SAW A CROWD...

A HOST OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS,

BESIDE THE LAKE,

BENEATH THE TREES,

FLUTTERING AND DANCING IN THE BREEZE,

CONTINUOUS AS THE STARS
THAT SHINE AND TWINKLE

IN THE MILKY WAY,

THEY STRETCHED IN NEVER-ENDING LINE

ALONG THE MARGIN OF A BAY--

TEN THOUSAND SAW I AT A GLANCE,

TOSSING THEIR HEADS IN SPRIGHTLY DANCE.

THE WAVES BESIDE THEM DANCED,

BUT THEY OUT-DID THE SPARKLING
WAVES IN GLEE.

A POET COULD NOT BUT BE GAY

IN SUCH A JOCUND COMPANY.

I GAZED... AND GAZED...

BUT LITTLE THOUGHT

WHAT WEALTH TO ME THE SHOW HAD BROUGHT.

FOR OFT, ON MY COUCH

WHEN I LIE IN VACANT OR PENSIVE MOOD,

THEY FLASH UPON THE INWARD EYE

WHICH IS THE BLISS OF SOLITUDE

AND THEN

MY HEART WITH PLEASURE FILLS,

AND DANCES WITH THE DAFFODILS."

"WILL NO ONE TELL ME WHAT SHE SINGS?

THE VALE PROFOUND
IS OVERFLOWING WITH THE SOUND.

MOMMY! LET ME OUT!

BEHOLD HER, SINGLE IN THE FIELD,

YON SOLITARY HIGHLAND LASS,

REAPING AND SINGING BY HERSELF,

STOP HERE, OR GENTLY PASS.

ALONE SHE CUTS AND BINDS THE GRAIN,

AND SINGS A MELANCHOLY STRAIN.

O LISTEN!

FOR THE VALE PROFOUND
IS OVERFLOWING WITH THE SOUND.

MOMMY! LET ME OUT!

NO NIGHTINGALE DID EVER CHANT
MORE WELCOME NOTES

TO WEARY BANDS OF TRAVELERS

IN SOME SHADY HAUNT, AMONG ARABIAN SANDS.

A VOICE SO THRILLING NEVER WAS HEARD

IN SPRINGTIME FROM THE CUCKOO BIRD,

BREAKING THE SILENCE OF THE SEAS

AMONG THE FARTHEST HEBRIDES.

WILL NO ONE TELL ME WHAT SHE SINGS?

AND PERHAPS THE PLAINTIVE NUMBERS FLOW

FOR OLD, UNHAPPY, FAR OFF THINGS,

AND BATTLES LONG AGO,

OR IS IT SOME MORE HUMBLE LAY,

FAMILIAR MATTER OF TODAY?

SOME NATURAL SORROW, LOSS, OR PAIN,

THAT HAS BEEN, AND MAY BE AGAIN?

WHATEVER THE THEME,

THE MAIDEN SANG

AS IF HER SONG COULD HAVE NO ENDING.

I SAW HER SINGING AT HER WORK,

AND OVER THE SICKLE BENDING.

I LISTENED, MOTIONLESS AND STILL,

AND AS I MOUNTED UP THE HILL,

THE MUSIC IN MY HEART I BORE,

LONG AFTER IT WAS HEARD NO MORE."

"WHEN YOU HAVE TIDIED
ALL THINGS FOR THE NIGHT,

AND WHILE YOUR THOUGHTS
ARE FADING TO THEIR SLEEP,

YOU'LL PAUSE A MOMENT
IN THE LATE FIRELIGHT,

TOO SORROWFUL TO WEEP.

THE LARGE AND GENTLE FURNITURE

HAS STOOD IN SYMPATHETIC
SILENCE ALL THE DAY

WITH THAT OLD KINDNESS OF DOMESTIC WOOD.

NEVERTHELESS THE HAUNTED ROOM WILL SAY,

'SOMEONE MUST BE AWAY.'

THE LITTLE DOG

ROLLS OVER HALF AWAKE,

STRETCHES HIS PAWS, YAWNS,

LOOKING UP AT YOU,

WAGS HIS TAIL VERY SLIGHTLY FOR YOUR SAKE,

THAT YOU MAY FEEL HE IS UNHAPPY TOO.

A DISTANT ENGINE WHISTLES,

OR THE FLOOR CREAKS,

OR THE WANDERING NIGHT WIND BANGS A DOOR.

SILENCE IS SCATTERED LIKE A BROKEN GLASS.

THE MINUTES PRICK THEIR EARS AND RUN ABOUT,

THEN ONE BY ONE SUBSIDE AGAIN AND PASS

SEDATELY IN, MONOTONOUSLY OUT.

YOU BEND YOUR HEAD AND WIPE AWAY A TEAR,

AND SOLITUDE TAKES
ONE HEAVY STEP MORE NEAR."

"I'LL KEEP A LITTLE TAVERN

BELOW THE HIGH HILL'S CREST,

WHEREIN ALL GREY-EYED PEOPLE

MAY SET THEM DOWN AND REST.

THERE SHALL BE PLATES A-PLENTY,

AND MUGS--

AND MUGS

TO MELT THE CHILL

OF ALL THE GREY-EYED PEOPLE

WHO HAPPEN UP THE HILL.

THERE SOUND WILL SLEEP THE TRAVELER,

AND DREAM HIS JOURNEY'S END,

BUT I WILL ROUSE AT MIDNIGHT

THE FALLING FIRE TO TEND.

AYE, 'TIS A CURIOUS FANCY-

AYE...

BUT ALL THE GOOD I KNOW

AYE, 'TIS A CURIOUS FANCY--

WAS TAUGHT ME OUT OF TWO GREY EYES

BUT ALL THE GOOD I KNOW

WAS TAUGHT ME OUT OF TWO GREY EYES

A LONG TIME AGO."

"DEAR BENJAMIN...

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I
FINALLY CREATED SOMETHING NEW,

SOMETHING ORIGINAL.

FORGIVE ME.

AMAYA."

"AND THE SON ON THE BACK PORCH,

HE PLACES THE INFANT AGAINST HIS BODY,

HIS BROAD CHEST DEVELOPED
FROM HIS DELIVERY JOB.

NOT IN HER PARENTS' ARMS, SHE CRIES.

MY GRANDFATHER

RESTS HER HEAD ON HIS COLLARBONE,

SIDESTEPS

BACK AND FORTH

AND SINGS THE SONG

'PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER.'

AN UNSELFCONSCIOUS SINGER
WITH A LARGE AUDIENCE

AND ONLY ONE CRITIC--

HER.

I WITNESS THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN,

MY GRANDFATHER AROUND INFANTS.

AND WHEN HE HELD MY NEPHEW

AND SANG HIS STANDARD BALLAD,

IT OCCURRED TO ME...

HE MUST'VE DONE IT TO ME AS WELL.

SEE, I MUST'VE BEEN IN HIS ARMS,

BODY AGAINST HIS CHEST,

HEAD IN THE CROOK OF HIS NECK.

I LIKE TO THINK HIS SINGING SOOTHED ME...

THAT I DIDN'T CRY.

I THINK OF HIM DANCING

AND HOLDING MY BODY
BEFORE MY PARENTS HURT ME.,.

HIM HOLDING ME AT THE ONLY TIME

I CAN REFLECT UPON AS INNOCENT.

SEE, HE KNEW ME WHEN I WAS UNAFFECTED,..

AND WHISPERED IN MY EAR,

"BABY."

"MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

WHY ART THOU SO FAR FROM HELPING ME,

AND FROM THE WORDS OF MY ROARING?"

"OH, MY GOD, I CRY IN THE DAY TIME,

BUT THOU HEAREST NOT,
AND IN THE NIGHT SEASON,

AND AM NOT SILENT.

MY STRENGTH IS DRIED UP LIKE A POTSHERD,

AND MY TONGUE CLEAVETH TO MY JAW,

AND THOU HAST BROUGHT ME

INTO THE DUST OF DEATH."

"MY TALE WAS HEARD

AND YET IT WAS NOT TOLD,

MY FRUIT IS FALLEN,

YET MY LEAVES ARE GREEN,

MY YOUTH IS SPENT

AND YET I AM NOT OLD,

I SAW THE WORLD

AND YET I WAS NOT SEEN,

MY THREAD IS CUT

AND YET IT IS NOT SPUN,

AND NOW I LIVE, AND NOW MY LIFE IS DONE."

"IN VAIN TO ME, THE SMILING MORNINGS SHINE.

MY LONELY ANGUISH MELTS NO HEART BUT MINE,

AND IN MY BREAST THE IMPERFECT JOYS EXPIRE.

YET MORNING SMILES THE BUSY RACE TO CHEER,

AND NEW-BORN PLEASURE
BRINGS TO HAPPIER MEN,

THE FIELDS TO ALL THEIR WONTED
TRIBUTES BEAR,

TO WARM THEIR LITTLE LOVES
THE BIRDS COMPLAIN,

I FRUITLESS MOURN TO HIM
THAT CANNOT HEAR...

AND WEEP THE MORE BECAUSE I WEEP IN VAIN."

"SUCCESS IS COUNTED SWEETEST

BY THOSE WHO NEVER SUCCEED.

TO COMPREHEND A NECTAR

REQUIRES SOREST NEED.

NOT ONE OF ALL THE PURPLE HOST

WHO TOOK THE FLAG TODAY
CAN TELL THE DEFINITION

SO CLEAR OF VICTORY...

AS HE DEFEATED--DYING--

ON WHOSE FORBIDDEN EAR

THE DISTANT STRAINS OF TRIUMPH BREAK

AGONIZED AND CLEAR."

"LISTEN, CHILDREN--

YOUR FATHER IS DEAD.

FROM HIS OLD COATS

I'LL MAKE YOU LITTLE JACKETS,

I'LL MAKE YOU LITTLE TROUSERS

FROM HIS OLD PANTS.

THERE'LL BE IN HIS POCKETS

THINGS HE USED TO PUT THERE,

KEYS AND PENNIES

COVERED WITH TOBACCO.

DAN SHALL HAVE THE PENNIES

TO SAVE IN HIS BANK.

ANNE SHALL HAVE THE KEYS

TO MAKE A PRETTY NOISE WITH.

LIFE MUST GO ON...

THOUGH GOOD MEN DIE."

A BLACK CROW KNOWS HIS END

FROM INTERTINGLINGS AND TWITCHES

MADE PRONOUNCED BY HIS LIGHT FRAME.

MOST, WHEN THEY SENSE
THIS INEVITABLE DEATH,

WHIMPER AWAY TO SECURE
A FEW MORE SHALLOW BREATHS,

A COMFORT PAIN WITH DIRT.

SO IMAGINE THE CURIOUS TWITTER OF NATURE

WHEN THE UNUSUAL BLACK CROW

RECOGNIZED THE BEGINNING OF HIS OWN DECAY

AND USED UP HIS REMAINING STRENGTH

TO MOUNT A FALLEN SCARECROW

LONG FORGOTTEN.

CLUTCHING THE OVERSIZED BUTTONS
ONCE USED FOR EYES,

HE SECURED HIMSELF A VIEW
OF THE GRASSY FIELDS

AND SURROUNDING FORESTS.

HE'D BEEN SCAVENGING HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME...

HE NOTICED THE CHASE

ALL AROUND

OF PREDATOR TO PREY...

OF MATE TO POTENTIAL MATE

THE YOUNG TO ITS MOTHER.

HE NOTICED WITHOUT CONCERN
FOR HIS OWN SURVIVAL.

THEN HE DID SOMETHING MOST UNUSUAL INDEED.

HE UNHOOKED HIS TIRED WINGS,

ALLOWING THEM TO DROOP TO EITHER SIDE,

AND LET OUT HIS UGLY VOICE.

HIS UGLY VOICE REIGNED

OVER THE TWITTERS OF NATURE.

THE UNCOMFORTABLE MINUTES

OF AWKWARD, DYING MOANS,

PROVOKED SOMETHING LIKE...

CURIOSITY

AMONG THE REST

BEFORE OPPORTUNISTIC HAWKS

SWOOPED DOWN WITH BLOODLESS ATTACK

ENDED THE SUFFERING
OF THE UNUSUAL BLACK CROW.

THE CHASE CONTINUED,

PREDATOR TO PREY,

MATE TO POTENTIAL MATE,

YOUNG TO ITS MOTHER.

AH, THE CHASE.

BUT THE SENSE OF THE UNUSUAL BLACK CROW

ALTERED SOME OF ITS PARTICIPANTS IN A WAY

TOO MYSTERIOUS TO UNDERSTAND.

IF YOU NEED TO, GO AHEAD.

YOU SHOULD KNOW SOME THINGS...

ABOUT HOW WE WORK IN THERE.

I KNOW.

"BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT,

FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

BLESSED ARE THEY WHO MOURN,

FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK,

FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.

BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HUNGER
AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS,

FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL,

FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART,

FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD.

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS,

FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED
THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED

FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE,

FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."

TO FIGHT ALOUD,

IS VERY BRAVE,

BUT GALLANTER, I KNOW

WHO CHARGE WITHIN THE BOSOM

THE CAVALRY OF WOE,

WHO WIN,

AND NATIONS DO NOT SEE,

WHO FALL,

AND NONE OBSERVE,

WHOSE DYING EYES,

NO COUNTRY REGARDS WITH PATRIOT LOVE.

WE TRUST, IN PLUMED PROCESSION

FOR SUCH, THE ANGELS GO,

RANK AFTER RANK,

WITH EVEN FEET

AND UNIFORMS OF SNOW."

"POETS TO COME!

ORATORS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS TO COME!

NOT TODAY IS TO JUSTIFY ME,

AND ANSWER WHAT I AM FOR,

BUT YOU, A NEW BROOD,

NATIVE,

ATHLETIC,

CONTINENTAL,

GREATER THAN BEFORE KNOWN,

AROUSE!

FOR YOU MUST JUSTIFY ME.

I MYSELF BUT WRITE
ONE OR TWO INDICATIVE WORDS

FOR THE FUTURE,

I BUT ADVANCE A MOMENT,

ONLY TO WHEEL AND HURRY BACK
IN THE DARKNESS.

I AM A MAN WHO,

SAUNTERING ALONG, WITHOUT FULLY STOPPING,

TURNS A CASUAL LOOK UPON YOU,

AND THEN AVERTS HIS FACE,

LEAVING IT TO YOU

TO PROVE AND DEFINE IT...

EXPECTING THE MAIN THINGS FROM YOU."

"HAD I THE HEAVENS' EMBROIDERED CLOTHS,

ENWROUGHT WITH GOLDEN AND SILVER LIGHT,

THE BLUE AND THE DIM AND
THE DARK CLOTHS OF NIGHT

AND LIGHT AND THE HALF-LIGHT,

I WOULD SPREAD THE CLOTHS UNDER YOUR FEET.

BUT I, BEING POOR, HAVE ONLY MY DREAMS,

I HAVE SPREAD MY DREAMS UNDER YOUR FEET.

TREAD SOFTLY

BECAUSE YOU TREAD ON MY DREAMS."

"NOW ALL THE TRUTH IS OUT,

BE SECRET AND TAKE DEFEAT
FROM ANY BRAZEN THROAT,

FOR HOW CAN YOU COMPETE, BEING HONOR BRED,

WITH ONE WHO WERE IT PROVED HE LIES

WERE NEITHER SHAMED IN HIS OWN
NOR IN HIS NEIGHBORS' EYES,

BRED TO A HARDER THING THAN TRIUMPH,

TURN AWAY AND LIKE A LAUGHING STRING

WHEREON MAD FINGERS PLAY
AMID A PLACE OF STONE,

BE SECRET AND EXULT,

BECAUSE OF ALL THINGS KNOWN

THAT IS MOST DIFFICULT."

HI.

WHERE'S ZANE?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

BENJAMIN CALLED ME.

WHERE IS HE?

HE'S HERE.

HE'S RIGHT HERE.

RIGHT WHERE?

COME HERE.

COME.

HE'S RIGHT HERE. YOU SEE?

IF YOU NEED TO, GO AHEAD.

YOU SHOULD KNOW SOME THINGS

ABOUT HOW WE WORK IN THERE.

I KNOW.

YOU THINK YOU DO, BUT YOU DON'T.

WAS IT BAD?

YES.

DOES HE SUFFER?

YES.

DID YOU-- DID YOU GET LONELY?

YES.

YOU MADE ART FOR HIM.

I'M ON MEDICATION NOW.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT PILLS.

WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

"LET IT BE FORGOTTEN,

AS A FLOWER IS FORGOTTEN,

FORGOTTEN AS A FIRE
THAT WAS ONCE SINGING GOLD.

LET IT BE FORGOTTEN FOR EVER AND EVER...

TIME IS A KIND FRIEND, HE WILL MAKE US OLD.

IF ANYONE ASKS,

SAY IT WAS FORGOTTEN

LONG AND LONG AGO...

AS A FLOWER...

AS A FIRE...

AS A HUSHED FOOTFALL

IN A LONG FORGOTTEN SNOW."

TONIGHT WE GO ON A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME,

FROM YOUTH

TO LOVE

TO DEATH

AND BEYOND.

YOU'LL HEAR 32 POEMS,

SELECTIONS

FROM THE BIBLE

TO BLAKE

TO MODERN-DAY POETS

LIVING RIGHT HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

SOME OF YOU MAY THINK MEN
BELONG IN THE OFFICE

OR IN A BALLPARK

OR EVEN IN A PRISON CELL.

WE HAPPEN TO THINK

THAT REAL MEN

READ POETRY.

WELCOME

TO "GUYS READING POEMS."

"THERE SOUND WILL SLEEP THE TRAVELER

AND DREAM HIS JOURNEY'S END."

"BRED TO A HARDER THING
THAN TRIUMPH, TURN AWAY

AND LIKE A LAUGHING STRING

WHEREON MAD FINGERS PLAY

AMID A PLACE OF STONE,
BE SECRET AND EXULT."

"A TIME TO BREAK DOWN

AND A TIME TO BUILD UP..,

A TIME TO WEEP.,.

AND A TIME TO LAUGH."

"I THINK OF HIM DANCING
AND HOLDING MY BODY...

BEFORE MY PARENTS HURT ME...

HIM HOLDING ME AT THE ONLY TIME

I CAN REFLECT UPON AS INNOCENT."

"EXPECTING THE MAIN THINGS FROM YOU."

BLESSED ARE THEY WHO ARE
PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE,

FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

HE HAD A LARGE STACK OF MEMORIAL CARDS,

HANDED FROM FUNERALS.

FRIENDS AND LOVERS STOLEN BY AIDS.

I HAD JOKED ONCE THAT...

HE MIGHT NEED A RECIPE BOX TO

CATEGORIZE AND ALPHABETIZE...

THE MOUNTAIN STACK.

HE THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT.

"THAT'S NOT HOW RECIPE BOXES
ARE ORGANIZED," HE SAID.

"THEY WERE ORGANIZED BY COURSE."

GREAT.

NOW I HAVE TO DECIDE WHO'S AN ENTREE,

DESSERT,

AN HORS D'OEUVRE."

SO HE BEGAN TO...

SHOUT OUT THE NAMES OF HIS FRIENDS.

AND WHERE HE WOULD PLACE THEM.

JOSE, ENTREE.

MICHAEL... HORS D'OEUVRE.

SUSAN...

HORS D'OEUVRE.

JOEY...

ENTREE.

JONATHAN...

HORS D'OEUVRE.

ALEX... HORS D'OEUVRE,

AND FOR HIS LAST LOVER, RAMON...

DESSERT.

GO AHEAD.