88 Comments
User's avatar
Leela Turner's avatar

I so loved this poem read by you. And the sound of your voice, perfect for listening. Thank you

Expand full comment
Christine Beck's avatar

I've read my favorite poems aloud on my phone so I can listen as I walk. Thanks for the reminder. If you want to see what I wrote last week about the brilliant book, There Are Rivers in the Sky, you can read it at christinebeck.substack.com/p/does-water-hold-memory?

Expand full comment
dangie's avatar

I loved listening to your voice and enjoyed the audio reading of Bukowski's poem. A great poem! But I will confess that I missed your written essay. Reading your essays is something that I look forward to, and I love submerging myself in the beautiful melody of your words. With the audio, I find myself more easily distracted because it opens the door to multitasking (I can listen as I do something else)--an urge that is difficult to resist. Whereas, when I have your words in front of me, they pull me in and require my full attention to read.

Expand full comment
Maria Riddervold's avatar

I've been thinking about courage in my creativity today, and how it sits in the heart. And then came your recording. Thank you for sharing the poem and your process.

Expand full comment
Rob Edwards's avatar

A very rewarding 5 minutes and 4 seconds of listening Elif. Forewords and afterwords spoken each side of your reading of the poem framed it fine, just fine. If you care to read aloud I, for one but don't doubt others, will care to listen.

Haven't quite got the words of the poem lodged with me as well as they might be, so I'll be listening again, later (and with hearing aids charged and in my ears).

Thank you.

Expand full comment
miriam darlington's avatar

I agree it is lovely to listen to this and also the way Elif frames it is very beautiful and also useful! I will be sharing this with my creative writing students.

Expand full comment
Ebru Sevindik's avatar

Teşekkürler, please continue reading for us …

Expand full comment
Tom Janiak's avatar

I vote for continuation!

Expand full comment
Moira Gee's avatar

I found this both soothing and insightful, as a writer. And your voice comes across very clearly for me using hearing aids and Bluetooth. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Cosmin Nan's avatar

I like your voice, Elif, the inflections in it, the pronunciation slightly sharpened and the warmth that comes with the end of the sentences. The poem is a great pick. I will think about it for days until i will speak about it to someone close to me. This is how it usually goes. Then it will stack it in my mind next to some other heart moving things

Expand full comment
Vesela Tutavac's avatar

Thank you so much! Such a treat to hear you read and interpret the poem, which I did not know.. I feel privileged to be here and enjoy a poetry reading by one of my favorite authors.

Expand full comment
Imola's avatar

Loved this poem and loved listening to you Read it!

Expand full comment
Murat Gürsu's avatar

Thanks for this initiative. A poem that my brother also shared with me back in the day. It tells a lot about the person we show to others, that we strive to be while knowing who we are inside.

Also being inspired by watching the Joker (La Folie a Deux) yesterday, it could have been also a very good fit for the closing defence scene, with a difference that Joker let´s the bluebird sing.

Expand full comment
Gladys Elskens's avatar

This was so beautiful! I love the idea of absorbing as much as possible and really sitting with and enjoying writing that makes you feel something.

Expand full comment
jennifer b's avatar

Elif, I loved hearing your voice reading you beautiful “Bluebirds in our Hearts”. Thank you! Please give us more

Expand full comment
Romolo's avatar

Thank you, Elif. I just revisited Bukowski’s controversial poem confessing his vulnerability, and I appreciate you sharing your reading with us. Fully releasing my own Bluebird could end up costing me more than I imagined, with social isolation possibly just the first step.

Yet, I remain captivated by the idea of liberating myself completely, eager to see if a new self might emerge, regardless of the consequences. But then, are we really ready, Bb & I to freedom ?

Expand full comment
Kate Rettinger's avatar

I subscribed to your Substack yesterday and just listened to this podcast about writing. I loved your reading of the Bluebird poem.

Expand full comment
indhu's avatar

It's beautiful to hear from your voice. Will be delighted to hear more from you💛

Expand full comment