Reading Your Favorite Poetry [Moans Monthly Exclusive]
Added 2023-05-18 22:20:46 +0000 UTCHi moans!
Thank you for all your wonderful poetry submissions and a huge thanks to those courageous and talented patrons who submitted original poetry!!! You all have great taste and such unique perspectives to share.
I ended up not doing much commentary/talkback on the poems because I think they mostly speak for themselves, but it was so cool and meaningful to read all of these beautiful words from such a variety of poets.
Hope you enjoy and take care,
august 🌨️
EDIT: I have now gotten permission to share that the "I was raised amongst the world's best literature" poem was by Patron @tiny, so please give them all the kudos for their lovely work!
Comments
This is so lovely and soothing. You have the absolute best voice for reading poetry. Sincerely hope another poetry reading happens in the future 🩵
Cara 🫰
2025-02-27 19:01:31 +0000 UTCWow I’m absolutely not crying on my commute rn (seriously though I know I’m late to the party but this was so beautiful I hope you do this again at some point)
Bindi
2025-01-16 14:11:13 +0000 UTCI hope you do more of these one day. They’re so beautiful.
GeauxGabby
2024-11-23 06:56:01 +0000 UTCThe one at 17:41. 🎼”Quiver” by SILK🎶
JENNI
2024-11-15 12:53:23 +0000 UTCi was going to save this for a much-needed post-midterms relaxation, but then i saw jo’s timestamp comment included a richard siken poem and i couldn’t stop myself. i sincerely hope, if you didn’t after this, that you check out more of his writing. crush is some of the most beautiful, eviscerating poetry i’ve ever read and my high-school copy is marked up in about a dozen different ways. obviously you have a lovely voice, but it lends itself especially well to siken’s style of writing and the themes he explores in crush. the quiet-but-not-shy, masculine-but-not-aggressive voice is a really striking complement to how pained and panicked some of his poems can be. i hope you do another one of these sometime. and thank you @ everyone who got to submit something, you guys have such fantastic taste 🤎🤎🤎
aliyah 🌫️
2024-10-24 06:08:09 +0000 UTCI had a good night sleep tonight, one of so many, and I decided to start the day with this audio. Soothes the soul 🩵 Kissing In Vietnamese really struck a chord. I lost my grandma when I was 9 years old, the part where it says: “she kisses as if to breathe you inside her, nose pressed to cheek so that your scent is relearned” … I just closed my eyes, and remembered her. She used to kiss my cheek that way, and I did too; it’s been 25 years and I still remember how she smelt.
dana
2024-09-04 04:09:09 +0000 UTCgot through a terrible migraine with this poetry reading, a dark room, and ibuprofen
pretzelpatrons
2024-07-03 11:47:51 +0000 UTCSounds good! I'm so happy you reached out, DivineFeminine ❤️
Lambda Sitta
2024-01-17 05:07:36 +0000 UTCGot it, thank you! I can just reply to the email after I’ve gone through them and yes, please let her know! Every artist deserves their flowers 💐 and thank you for sending them to me. I really appreciate it 🤍
DivineFeminine
2024-01-17 04:59:26 +0000 UTCI just sent you an email! It's just a Gmail with my username and the subject is "Poetry Document." I will tell Z. B. that you liked her poem and relay your feedback. I'm really happy it resonates with you! I also think her writing is pretty great haha The document I sent has content warnings before each poem in case you need any ❤️
Lambda Sitta
2024-01-17 04:30:15 +0000 UTCI’ll leave my email below and send them whenever you get a chance. No rush, I can delete it once your email comes through ☺️ So I put it below but the m is cut off for some reason? It should be .com
DivineFeminine
2024-01-17 03:37:32 +0000 UTCOkay, here are some options: - You can make a new parent comment/main comment, and I'll reply with poems written by her. The reason I'm suggesting that you make the main comment is because that way you'll get notified when I reply instead of not knowing/having to manually check - You can give me your email, and I will share a document with the poetry. I actually already have it ready because I made it for Sarah haha - We can put them here, but you'll have to manually check for them since you won't get any notifications Let me know which option works for you!
Lambda Sitta
2024-01-17 03:17:30 +0000 UTCI would love to read them! I really enjoyed her poem and please tell her it was so beautifully written. It unravels so eloquently with its shades of grief and desire. I think it’s the grief that still lives within but some lines resonated deeply which caught me by surprise and it just pulls the heart strings. I don’t mind leaving my email if that’s easier for you? Also, if you wouldn’t mind sharing the one included in the audio? I’d like to share it but only if she’s okay with it. If not, no worries ☺️.
DivineFeminine
2024-01-17 03:04:56 +0000 UTCHello DivineFeminine! It's never too late because I love having conversations in the comments haha. Z. B. did not publish, unfortunately, though she did write some new pieces! Let me know if you're interested in me copy/pasting them here or if you'd rather make a new comment thread ❤️
Lambda Sitta
2024-01-17 02:01:42 +0000 UTCHi Lambda! Apologies if I’m asking super late, I wasn’t subscribed back when August made this audio but I was just curious if Z.B. ever published any work or poetry?
DivineFeminine
2024-01-17 01:20:19 +0000 UTC💙💜
Cheyenne Dziadosz
2023-12-25 07:27:35 +0000 UTCalso also also sorry for being so neurospicy on main but that crack(?) in your voice when you say “but im… i said it so it’s too late!” was so pleasing to my ears nerve endings hahahha i am so adding that to my cart of unusual things that spark joy 🤣
Andie
2023-05-24 08:23:33 +0000 UTCFinally got around to listening to this. Thank you for lending your beautiful voice to words that are so meaningful to us, August. 😭
Andie
2023-05-23 07:20:43 +0000 UTCwas such a joy to be included in this audio!!! thank you for reading and listening <3 all the pieces in this audio were so beautiful and i loved listening to all of them !!!
tiny
2023-05-23 05:53:28 +0000 UTCUpdated! I'm so glad this is helpful~ hopefully all the other poems are properly credited as well :)
✨ jo ✨
2023-05-22 18:31:13 +0000 UTCThank you so much, this is awesome!! If I can ask you to do a bit more work for me, if you could update "I Was Raised By The World's Best Literature" to be an original by Patron "tiny", that would be great!!
August Winter
2023-05-22 18:22:06 +0000 UTCThank you so much!! I should have gotten that from you before I recorded haha
August Winter
2023-05-22 18:18:34 +0000 UTCThis was so lovely to listen to… (currently listening to this while doing my mundane night routine😅). Thank you for lending your beautiful voice to equally beautiful words, August💗☁️ (and to all the patreons that submitted their own work!👏💖). I’d completely forgotten how much poetry means to me.
whoknos
2023-05-20 06:19:41 +0000 UTCwe really did 🫡
mari
2023-05-20 03:46:52 +0000 UTCAwww thank you so much! That makes me so happy to read 🥰❤️
Ruth Hope 🩷
2023-05-19 22:34:58 +0000 UTCYou’ve read our favorite poems, but you didn’t say anything about your favorites.
Ella
2023-05-19 21:54:26 +0000 UTCYou can definitely hear the way you become more relaxed and comfortable as the session progresses. Which isn’t to say the beginning was bad, but about halfway through there was a shift and the words started to flow really beautifully. I’m glad you saved the e. e. cummings for near the end because you were able to seriously lean into the rhythm by then, and people can have trouble with that because they get distracted by the line breaks, so that was really nice to hear the words flow so smoothly. I do think it would have been cool to have heard Neruda’s XL2 and Barrett Browning’s 43 just before cummings, though, because now that I think about it they’re kind of the same poem. Speaking of XL2, shout out to my ladies with the abnormally tiny ears. ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻That was never one of my top Neruda sonnets, but now that I’ve actually noticed that line, I feel SEEN. Or at least my ears do, which is rare for them, on account of them being so small.
Ella
2023-05-19 21:53:21 +0000 UTCUgh, Jo. Bless~
Little_Lapine
2023-05-19 19:55:21 +0000 UTC@Lambda Sitta, thanks and thanks. ❤️ It’s just the cost of living. One of my “somethings of comfort” has actually been poetry lately, including a few of the poems featured here, hahaha. It’s pretty convenient that a lot of my favorites are about grief anyway, so I’m already equipped for battle. 😂 Thanks for your concern. ❤️❤️❤️
Ella
2023-05-19 19:34:48 +0000 UTCI gotta say, i am not a poetry fan. But this audio is too wholesome. I gave the poetry a shot, i actually listened, and I laughed in between with you here and there. This audio was such a delightful, and unexpected joy. This is why August is the best🤌
Sofia
2023-05-19 18:39:15 +0000 UTC@Sarah, I will tell her. I've already told her that someone read her poem aloud and she's super excited to hear it. If she ever publishes, I'll tell you guys!
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-19 17:34:32 +0000 UTC@Ella, I just reread your comment. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you take care of yourself and find something of comfort when experiencing all of these complicated feelings.
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-19 17:32:17 +0000 UTC@Ella it's Kissing in Vietnamese by Ocean Vuong. https://poets.org/poem/kissing-vietnamese
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-19 17:25:05 +0000 UTCWait, which one’s the grandmother one? I haven’t listened yet, but I’d like to know because I’m literally getting ready to fly back to the motherland to say goodbye to mine, so, you know, #relevant.
Ella
2023-05-19 15:38:08 +0000 UTCToo right, that one blew me away!💨 the repetitive mention of prayer and god especially resonated with me, and the feeling of desire and defeat. The way August read “I prayed, I prayed, I prayed” at 29:57 just sank into my bones and the “You are a part of me, don’t you dare take it away” at 32:11 had me going “oof, wow.” Pls tell your friend she’s incredibly talented!! 🤍
sarah 💫
2023-05-19 13:37:11 +0000 UTCThank you so much for making this! Also, my poem "Azafrán" is something I wrote, so would you be able to edit this and add "(original)" after my username? Thanks in advance! Edit: thank you! ❤️
Ruth Hope 🩷
2023-05-19 12:35:49 +0000 UTCThis was so lovely 💕 I submitted the Ceasar and Brutus poem and here is the link to the Poet’s account! @wretchedwords Mia Nem https://www.tiktok.com/@wretchedwords?_t=8cRYh2zLFHi&_r=1
threeamthots
2023-05-19 09:31:11 +0000 UTClistening to this was genuienly like my soul was being cleansed from all my worries and it either felt like i just melted into existence and floated around or that i was cuddled up and being caressed throughout the whole audio. it was just so comforting, i don't think i was ever this relaxed. personally i think you just have to have the talent of knowing how to read poetry (which words to enunciate, speed, rhytm, pauses and all that jazz) and you, sir, absolutely do. this was seriously so beautiful i'll probably have to listen to this a few times again to pick favourites. i fell asleep the first time around hahah but in my defense who wouldn't if it was late and they had this soothing voice in their ear 🦦 so yeah incredible job, incredible poets, incredible poems and i hope there'll be more in the future 🤭
Katana
2023-05-19 08:27:45 +0000 UTCIt's my friend! One of these days I will convince her to publish her stuff, I swear. I had a thread in the suggestion post with more of her stuff ☺️. I think she's going to love hearing August read it aloud and this comment hahahaha
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-19 08:18:57 +0000 UTC(sorry for the spam but this absolutely deserves its own comment) my finest compliments to ZB for “And It Wasn’t Just a Goodbye” - sweet baby jesus, that was exquisite. thank you for sharing, whoever you are 💕
V.W.
2023-05-19 07:16:51 +0000 UTC“XL2” come on roman numerals !
V.W.
2023-05-19 06:54:32 +0000 UTCthank you for this list! Vuong, Keats, Neruda, Siken, cummings… let’s fucking get it
V.W.
2023-05-19 06:36:03 +0000 UTComg twins? i salute you, fellow english educator! 🫡✨ we really won this week, didn’t we 🥰
V.W.
2023-05-19 06:29:50 +0000 UTCI loved your poem btw! The lines “storm all thunder in my throat” and “you collapse me, cave me, consume me” really touched me, thank you for sharing such an incredible piece! <3
sarah 💫
2023-05-19 05:27:08 +0000 UTCOkay @everyone if you appreciate timestamps (like i do hehe) I transcribed the list of poems! Please enjoy ✨ 2:03 "The Years" by Alex Dimitrov 3:30 "I Was Raised Amongst the World's Best Literature" by tiny (patron original) 4:12 "Martyrs Become Lovers" by Linda Neetling(sp?) 5:17 "Azafrán" by Ruth Hope (patron original) 6:37 "We'll See This Through" by Kelly Roper 7:16 "A Little Closer to the Edge" by Ocean Vuong 8:57 "Union" by Abdulla Paschew 10:13 "Cinnamon Peeler" by Michael Ondaatje 12:21 "It Was Like This: You Were Happy" by Jane Hirshfield 14:09 "Kissing in Vietnamese" by Ocean Vuong 15:30 “Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art” by John Keats 16:30 "As Winds That Blow Against A Star" by Joyce Kilmer 17:14 "Sonnet XLII: I Hunt For A Sign Of You" by Pablo Neruda 19:11 "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden 20:23 "Sonnet 43: How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 21:21 "Caesar and Brutus" by Mia Nem (@wretchedwords) 22:55 "The Torn Up Road" by Richard Siken 26:02 "Spaces" jtyl + "Edges" E.O. (original) 28:05 "And It Wasn't Just a Goodbye" by Z.B (original) 33:55 [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by e.e. cummings 35:00 "Every Day You Play" by Pablo Neruda (Please excuse any liberties in titling or mistakes in the spelling of names - some poems didn't have titles and/or couldn't be found online) Edits: authors + original tags!
✨ jo ✨
2023-05-19 04:45:25 +0000 UTCthe english educator within me is so excited to listen to this when i get home i just know it will slay
mari
2023-05-19 04:16:22 +0000 UTCThis was such a treat 🥹 Never have I ever gotten home and finished my chores SO FAST so I can snuggle up to the couch with a warm cup of tea and listen to this ✨✨✨ All the submissions were so lovely! The original poems in particular had me listening with bated breath for what happens in the next line. Ocean Vuong's "A Little Closer to the Edge" was my suggestion, and I think you captured the lyricality so well, august!! Especially with the call outs (usage of apostrophe for my fellow English class poetry analysis nerds hehe) This is going to be my go-to comfort audio I already know 💛
✨ jo ✨
2023-05-19 03:13:04 +0000 UTCThank you for this lovely poetry reading. I enjoyed it 💕
Cee
2023-05-19 03:01:25 +0000 UTCHome from dinner, getting cozy and ready for bed cause holy does August have such a soothing voice. 😌
Sofia
2023-05-19 02:43:12 +0000 UTCListened to this on a walk. You recited them all so beautifully!
Saya J
2023-05-19 01:50:15 +0000 UTCDitto to all of that! ☺️
Ruth Hope 🩷
2023-05-19 00:43:54 +0000 UTCOh my God, August! That was amazing!! I loved all of the poems that were included, how you read them all, the funny DILF sequel mention at the end lmao... Most of all, though, I love love LOVE the way you read my poem, "Azafrán". Poetry has been my greatest creative passion, ever since I was a kid. Until now, I'd never had the opportunity to hear someone read one of my poems out loud like this... August, you read it so beautifully—I can't even put my joy into words. Your intonations, your inflections, your pauses, your thoughts on the poem after the fact... All of it is so wonderful and lovely. I feel so grateful and honored that you did such justice to something I wrote. Thank you ❤️ Also, fuck! The "Every day you play" reading?? Immaculate. I was debating getting a tattoo inspired by that poem, but now I'm certain. 🌸🌸🌸☺️💕
Ruth Hope 🩷
2023-05-19 00:41:39 +0000 UTCThat would be amazing! She'd probably be over the moon that it sounds so good read aloud hahahaha. Thank you, August.
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-19 00:01:20 +0000 UTCJust finished listening and can confirm I’m a wreck (in the best way possible). If “poetry is the music of the soul” then your voice is a perfect instrument with which to play it, my goodness. There’s a gentle, peaceful, grounded quality to your tone that fits poetry really well (on top of having a really lovely voice) and your pacing, elocution, and emphasis were all so good. There were bits where I could tell you were getting into it and really feeling the words and I got lost in it too. I listened to this while sitting in my yard and watching the wind and sun shimmer the trees with your voice reading such wonderful words was really peaceful and calming. I’m definitely gonna be listening to this on repeat! 🔁 Thank you so much August!! ✨🫶🏼 Also “super duper” is still cool, idc what anyone says 🤷🏻♀️😂
sarah 💫
2023-05-19 00:00:16 +0000 UTCAw thank you so much! Really glad it was enjoyable!! I could clip that part and send it to you, I would be honored for the writer to hear it tbh.
August Winter
2023-05-18 23:58:53 +0000 UTCAugust! :) So I submitted the poem by Abdulla Pashew and I'm kinda relieved by your modification of the translated text. I felt iffy about that part as well but I loved the rest of the poem so much and wanted to share, so I sent it to you anyway. This was really cool, I'm excited to see more stuff like this in the future. Thanks! ♡
Little_Lapine
2023-05-18 23:28:29 +0000 UTCOkay that grandmother poem hit me so hard because a lot of the relatives from the generations above me have died recently, so I very much needed that haha. It was so well-written and the imagery!!! So good! August, your note about being a good English student had me laughing. I, too, was one of those, once upon a time. I actually played Juliet in my high school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Albeit, with all the kissing/physical stuff cut out because I'm Muslim haha. I'm in STEM now, but the arts call my name often hahaha 🤣. You read poetry so, so phenomenally well. It was a TREAT to listen. I'm extremely picky with the poetry I like, but you had me liking so many of these haha. To be fair, many of them were genuinely incredible poems. Your recitation was just the cherry on top 👌🏼. I'm dying to share your reading of "And It Wasn't Just a Goodbye" with my friend who wrote it! You did such a good job. Also, I made a mistake when typing it (a "he" should have been his or him, I can't recall). But the way you read it (and the effort on the pronunciation of Dhikr 😭) was so beautiful. I was shaking. If I did want to share it with her, could I play it for her over the phone, maybe? Just that part? Totally understand if that's not okay! They're not a patron, as far as I know haha.
Lambda Sitta
2023-05-18 23:15:57 +0000 UTCthank you for reading my submission August it was magical <3
cruelworld9011
2023-05-18 23:12:56 +0000 UTCI have a feeling this will thoroughly wreck me but here we go 🤡👉🏼▶️🎧
sarah 💫
2023-05-18 22:58:33 +0000 UTCit's 1 am and i'm cooking risotto while listening to this - feeling very cozy and content rn 🥹
gato
2023-05-18 22:29:02 +0000 UTCI wasn’t ready! I’m about to go out to dinner💀
Sofia
2023-05-18 22:25:20 +0000 UTCWAS NOT EXPECTING THIS TO DROP SO SOON BUT I'M HERE FOR IT
Katana
2023-05-18 22:22:00 +0000 UTC
