If I Could Tell You by W.H. Auden

🔰 The first time I read the poem I loved it, afterward I read a few poem analyses of this particular poem and they almost made me dislike it. I hate it when people try to force opinions as facts, maybe the analysts talking about their stanzas and structures are right about the feeling the artist wanted to express, but they missed the whole point of art. In my opinion, art isn't about understanding what the artist wanted to express, it's about you and about what you understand. Sometimes I like misinterpreting poems because this way they make sense in my life. So I welcome you to misinterpret my movie and this poem in order to make sense in your mind and your life. I hope this poem finds you well, tell me what you think in the comments.
P.S. For those interested in history, this movie was filmed in a place called the Palace of Galerius
P.S.2 Huge thanks to my friend Giannis for assisting me with some of the shots.
Forever Humbled
illneas
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🔰References
-The narrator is Tom o'Bedlam
-The music is this:
Refined Enlightenment - Howard Harper-Barnes
🔰My equipment:
I film handheld with a Panasonic Lumix
G80
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GX80
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📷Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Lens
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If I Could Tell You by W.H. Auden
Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.
The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.

[@rukiawesome8210]

That- was beautiful, things like this make me want to keep taking photos and writing poetry even if there bad. Thank you

[@talesofintrigue3315]

It was definitely inspirational, wasn't it? We need more of this in the world.

[@illneas]

I'm really happy that this video helped you creatively. I have struggled in the past with self-criticism. Sometimes we are trapped in our bubble of perfectionism. I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, just don't be so harsh on yourself. Have a nice day buddy. ^^

[@rukiawesome8210]

illneas, thank you again 😊

[@maynardalbis9935]

There’s no bad poetry my friend as long as you have the passion and the feelings during the time you wrote it. There’s no such thing as bad poetry.

[@mushroommagic1697]

Start doing so. You will perfect yourself with time and practice. Read poetry this will help and don't compare yourself with the others, compare yourself with yourself (that way you will see your progress) .

[@shadowstriker84]

You know it's going to be a deep night when you hear that voice.

[@_sanyaa]

Intense cinematography! ☆ The way I see it, the poem seems to be questioning our understanding of time. We have quantified time into calendars, clocks, dials, periods and so on. There's a possibility of time being so much more than that: almost out of our grasp. The whole concept of past, present and future could be a mirage we seem to live in. Or a lie we tell ourselves for time, truly, is unfathomable. How do you explain prophetic dreams? How, then, do you see deja vu as? How is it on some days the time passes on too soon? And other times way too slow? What count, 'at the end of the day' are our actions and what we make of ourselves. Probably, we'll never know anything of time and the world, for it was in nothingness that it was conceived.

[@johnsrome8459]

Hi Sanya. I think I've drawn some similar conclusions but you have expressed yourself much more concisely and elegantly! Your point about time & the world conceived in nothingness - a lot of parallels to my limited understanding of beginningless time, human delusions & Ultimate emptiness, as explored in Mahayana Buddhism. You drawing on Vedic philosophy? Anyway, great stuff! Best wishes.

[@_sanyaa]

@@johnsrome8459 Hey John. Thank you for your kind comments. I'm yet to study Buddhist philosophy. And yes, a part of my understanding comes from Rig Veda. Though, Nothingness is from "The Farewell" by Kahlil Gibran. Also, there's an article which might come close to what you feel about time. isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/wisdom/article/science-meets-mysticism-sadhguru-gravitational-waves Take care! 🌻

[@jackfletcher1000]

Whatever OUR understanding of time is, nature will disagree, for time is but an man made illusion.

[@bhanukavidanapathirana4735]

Wow...what am amazing interpretation..... what if the holographic principle of the universe is true and we are but a 2D projection on the surface of a singularity..I feel like philosophically your interpretation seems to Express what time might be for such an existential void.... I'm impressed and stumped and still thinking......

[@_sanyaa]

@@bhanukavidanapathirana4735 Ah, to think we're all a projection. Holographic principle makes sense though, when I see the opinions people hold as truths which seem absurd to me and the experiences whether of time or life differ so much from person to person. It might be that we can create our own realities subconsciously.

[@johnsrome8459]

illneas, I think I have expressed my deep appreciation for your skills on numerous occasions now so I think we can take it for granted that I am yet again overwhelmed by the beguiling simplicity and elegance of your artistry. Everything compliments each other with impeccable taste. It's beautiful. Thank you so much for everything you do. (This is a highly edited version of my initial comment. It went on far too long). So, Auden wrote this poem in 1940, near the beginning of WWII & Europe's transition into hell (...again). illneas, I'm sure, quite deliberately filmed this project in amongst the ruins of the 4th Century Palace of Galerius in Thessaloniki, the construction of which marked the transition point from Roman to Byzantine rule in Europe. It's part of the narrative, man (big hippy smile). One can often feel most unstuck in time at moments of great transition. When all your attachments are called into question. Everything is impermanent. The leaves do indeed fall for a reason (to frame that line as a question rather than answer is, perhaps, misleading) but, more crucially, why does time itself seem to buckle and heave then continue on its relentless course? (Or is that just me?). You may care to explain it as the results of karma, destiny, fate, chaos, the Divine plan or whatever. Time cannot answer such a question, it can merely indicate, to put it bluntly, that sometimes Shit Just Happens. Eckhart Tolle wrote that he had lived with (I think) 11 Zen masters & they were all cats. That, I think, is the key to illneas' cat motif. They don't question their own existence, they simply live in harmony with it. If you could ask a cat, what can I expect out of life? Why am I here? I suspect he/she would probably yawn, have a stretch and say, "If I could tell you I would let you know." Then curl up & go back to sleep.

[@HipsterKhan]

John S Rome i liked for the anecdote about cats.

[@johnsrome8459]

@@HipsterKhan Thanks. Yeah, the rest is a bit long winded/boring, I know. The observation about cats is the only decent bit & thank you for noticing! My Very Best Wishes. John.

[@safec7189]

This Channel is all that i never knew i wanted KZbin suggestions : i told you so

[@BelleFlower15]

I read the description, about misinterpreting poems. I do that often. There are a handful of Rilke poems that I read as though they are about infant loss, even though Rilke was a man and probably never lost a child. The best poetry is like that, able to be felt on a level outside of the circumstances that inspired it. My favorite poems I've written are like that.

[@uncleusuh]

Same dude

[@hanson666999]

This channel is like an oasis in a vast desert of shit. Please keep up the good work illneas :^)

[@illneas]

hahaha nice metaphor, thank you for your kind words. ^^

[@noahsheffield4015]

Cliché trope but kind comment

[@justinbradfield1489]

The internet is crap layered upon crap. A wilderness of selfies and botox. Finally some art, some civilised words and beauty....like a pain killer.

[@monalsolanki8183]

Time only knows the price we have to pay 🤐this line👏

[@illneas]

Auden !

[@corryjookit7818]

@@illneas I am recording poems that truly have a meaning to me. When I've gone, there's a note that will tell the finder that I'm in every piece that rests. , and tell you how amazing I think you are.

[@JustMegan]

The narrator/orator has an excellent voice! I am usually not a fan of poetry but this channel has exposed me to some excellent works! Thank you!

[@Anna-worriesme]

Your photography tells your story which amplifies the poem's magic. And the cat. Completion.

[@melodyclark4347]

You do such an amazing job with these videos. I just keep listening and listening. And I know where to return when the need is there. Thank you for sharing this.

[@alextrenti5150]

Thank you. I have watched this over and over for the past twenty minutes. So powerful. So beautifully made. So intense. Thank you.

[@philosophavie7112]

Beautiful work, as always! I also agree with your point about "misinterpreting" poems. Of course, when you are doing an "academic" commentary on a poem, there are some rules you need to follow and some facts about the author you need to take in to make your analysis fit in the criteria. But this is a completely separate exercise to the raw feelings poetry gives us when we read it without an analyzing mind. We love poetry, novels, stories, philosophy, because it talks about us. Once art is released, it's not the artist's property anymore. The infinitely different echoes it will have for each person have nothing to do with a formal commentary/analysis

[@illneas]

Nicely said, I sounded a bit arrogant in the description. Not my intentions. I don't have any academic background on poetry maybe this is the reason I don't get it.

[@philosophavie7112]

@@illneas Thank you. I don't think you sounded arrogant at all, and you make a valid point. We just need to remember to separate the feelings from the analysis

[@johnsrome8459]

Very well put, Gabrielle! Sono d'accordo, con tutto il cuore. Ciao!

[@BelleFlower15]

"No story has power nor will it last unless we feel in ourselves that it is true, and true of us. Of course people are interested only in themselves. If a story is not about the hearer, he won't listen. And I here make a rule: a great and lasting story is about everyone or it will not last. The strange and foreign isn't interesting; only the deeply personal and familiar." East of Eden, John Steinbeck

[@namka8588]

Great thought 👏👏💜

[@joyamongstforeverspark5422]

MAGNIFICENCE. Thank you⚘⚘

[@komalhameed3733]

The beauty of your voice and the poetry ❤ A beauty to treasure

[@AninditaChatterjeebfstrends]

Awesome music and I love you more than I can say💖

[@angeladallimore8079]

A beauty of treasure

[@cooperwebb7389]

You are one of the few gems that remain on this platform.

[@anxietycelery1732]

I totally agree with your description. I hate it when a poem or story gets overlanalyzed and dissected like a frog in a cheap high school laboratory. I say let it strike you like a knife in the dark

[@driftertravels928]

Thank you for all your videos. They are helping me get through a difficult time in my life.

[@nomsalala4872]

I am in love with your channel! Thank you so much for creating these videos.

[@safim8217]

wow Illneas, so beautiful :)

[@carmenbatchelor8044]

Once again...👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼 just LOVE it! ♥️

[@debx3330]

Is anyone here with me who can't stop listening to his voice... it makes the poem more awesome 🤍

[@sylpherina]

The cat is purrfect👌💛

[@illneas]

adorabol kitten

[@oidaz8402]

Normally I watch and listen to your videos on my phone, but I've just finished building my PC and the motherboard kinda upsold the fact that it had brilliant audio cards and all that fancy crap. The ochestral number was absolutely beautiful, like nearly in tears beautiful when complimented by that poetic reading. I feel like I have to rewatch all your uploadsnow so I can truly appreaciate what you've beeen creating here.

[@illneas]

Thank you man, it's true that the experience is completely different with a good audio system. Have fun with your new computer ^^

[@orsike192]

bless you my friend for posting this

[@user-hv9wh5vv6p]

I love my city, Thessaloniki so much. The most beautiful city in the world and those clips prove it! I discovered your channel yesterday and I need to tell you that I love your videos! Each of them is a piece of art...

[@masksoffmute9867]

Glad you are giving poetry such exquisite exposure.

[@travisbrucelee]

This video is Perfect. Thank you for this🙏🏾

[@leslieviljoen]

1:44 this is how cats smile.

[@adrian2571]

Loved the video, the cats were precious. The words resonate with the angst of society and the troubled times we are experiencing. As usual, bravo for a brilliant production.

[@s.m.sakibshahriar5025]

How wondering and mindblowing way you have of incorporating exquisite cinematography of yours and the poem!

[@illneas]

Thank you for watching my work and for your kind words.

[@mahamzehra4629]

“if I could tell you I would let you know” 👀 Your videos are touching! Never disappoint.💗

[@illneas]

Thank for taking the time to watch them.

[@RandomGuy-es4zt]

@@xlri Tom O'Bedlam

[@helenpsouza]

The poem, the video and the music bring a bunch of mixed feelings to me. Feel more, analyse less. Poetry talks to somewhere inside of us deeper than concrete thinking. That's the magic in it. And that's why I love poetry. And I love your video art. Thank you for sharing.

[@lookits_fran]

i wish the music was a little bit lower :((

[@andremartinez4886]

I think it ruined the feeling.

[@sufibren4885]

Really, the reason I avoid this channel but it's got my favorite poets too. I wish the music wasn't so loud. :/

[@jbri1]

@@varna8918 stop shouting :p

[@karmeladedic8289]

Me, too!

[@raulflores8964]

It's great for running the music

[@Kaps_KB]

Poetry n narration is great as always.. but I would like to mention : Awesome editing 👏🙏

[@iboalani6414]

Amazing job brother ❤️

[@yafaflores1111]

The music is too loud. It’s taking over the words to this poem

[@julipazos1146]

somehow, I didn't felt like it did, but the music was loud, that's true

[@kmag7122]

Yes y do they do it

[@leandroalves8568]

Yes, you right

[@kmag7122]

I no what you mean but I think it's mean to add more power to the words get you get me try and think of it together and it makes sense

[@damrick07]

Exactly... Background music is too loud...

[@elisecamarillo8274]

Es de lo más hermoso que he encontrado en youtube... Sublime y profundo, de verdad este canal es un tesoro para los que amamos la poesía ... Gracias!!

[@illneas]

Usé google translte para entender esto. Gracias por sus amables palabras, que tengan un buen día.

[@blessingnundai8478]

Ooh my God. This is beyond beautiful

[@illneas]

You are too kind. ^^ thank you

[@simonecherkaoui448]

Merveilleux ✨✨✨merci 🙏🏻💐💐💐

[@leelachatterjee4610]

I always had a feeling that poetry should be read whenever you are alone in an empty room. Ileneas has changed my thoughts completely. Recitation can be so beautiful, heart touching and soothing 💙. Thank you.

[@inezgraer5482]

I am new to this site.....first impression? Love it! Thank you. Just what my weary soul needs......keep going Illneas, I know I will be sustained well here.

[@lesmortmain2258]

What a beautiful conception of Audens poem.

[@minnierose4398]

Beautiful ❤

[@jewelbency5072]

Dude the video was so pleasing I couldn't focus on the poem

[@DrLongLiveDead]

absolutely the best poetry channel I have found. pain and beauty captured to be lost when found all the best, colin

[@illneas]

You are too kind Colin, thank you for watching and typing this comment.

[@joni1405]

This is awesome

[@cheryllemme9332]

I love the voice of the narrator!

[@ericwilliams1989ew]

Thank you for this and your time making these videos

[@illneas]

I really enjoy it, thank you for watching

[@wardaahmed450]

Wow this has to be in my top 10 youtube channels now, amazing!

[@illneas]

You are so kind, thank you

[@simplyme8593]

Αγαπώ τα βίντεό σου! ❤

[@olironrider8918]

Very nicely done. But I find the volume of the music a ‘bit’ distracting. (IMHO)

[@illneas]

Thank for the constructive criticism, duly noted

[@bhavnadayal5933]

Little overpowering I agree

[@asif42224]

@@bhavnadayal5933 yeah a little overpowering

[@sarahnewsom6831]

Agree. Music a tad too loud. Took away from it all.

[@mina0rahman]

Lovely.

[@twana.travel]

Wow please keep doing videos like this

[@BizonRecords]

This is where I go for my spiritual sustenance.

[@100bl]

Nice piece 👍

[@mohamedelasy1635]

keep going love all your work and i shere it on my facebook all :) thanks alot

[@illneas]

Thank you for the motivation buddy and thank you for sharing.

[@janeamores8642]

I thought I lost myself . But I found it again because of you! Great works! Love it 💕💕💕

[@illneas]

Im glad I helped in a way.

[@talesofintrigue3315]

Wow. That was amazing! I should have done something like this for the Hurry video I just posted instead of just a video of the clock. So much to learn.

[@illneas]

A fellow KZbinr here, don't be your worst critic. Original poetry is tough. Keep going.

[@talesofintrigue3315]

Yes, I must admit I'm my own worst critic. I guess that just comes with the territory at the times, doesn't it? Keep learning, and keep moving forward, right?

[@felipedourado5721]

@Illneas Dear Illneas, first of all, thankyou so much for the great job of making art from art. I mean, translate poetry, or any other form of art, into something else (videos for instance) may be an unthankful task on wich something can be lost or added unduly. That's not the case on your work. You are able to make it in a personal way and and yet keep it open to free interpretations without compromising the original feeling of the texts you presents on your channel. The second point I'd like to coment is that I really apreciate what you say about leting the works of art speak for themselves. We must not ignore that there are lots of good theories about art (and several others not so good) but we may also not ignore that none of them are as powerful as the works that they are related to. Art belongs to the soul. Ideas belongs to the mind. Although we may not forget that there are several emotions that can make us think and several ideas that can thrill us. Best regards from Brazil, take care on this coronavirus mess we are all living.

[@handyhermit8659]

Sounds awesome. If you listen to it while the video speed is on .75 it’s sounds more dramatic!!!

[@illneas]

hahaha didn't consider that

[@travisbrucelee]

Always keep this poem in my heart

[@rippingoffmyface]

🖤

[@yhassala408]

Best voice ever !!!

[@rebekahmg]

I love refugee blues by Auden...but I think this is my new favorite

[@pazmedia9376]

Well done bro. 👍

[@konstantinageorgakopoulou7513]

liking before even watching

[@illneas]

Thank you for the dedication Konstantina. Το εκτιμώ πολύ ^^

[@bombaybanda]

Stunning. You should consider uploading these on instagram videos too.

[@illneas]

Nice idea, but I can't create for the Instagram screen ratio.

[@pissoffu9095]

Love Auden ..thanks

[@hushlittlegracie933]

I'm dead ass in love with the editing

[@illneas]

Hahahah thats so nice, thank you

[@jmalko9152]

Cool!

[@KleenerBro]

To be honest I don't really like the poem that much, but I like your stance on interpretation of art in general. I agree that there are some people who think that their job is to "unravel" the meaning of a certain piece of art, like it is an encoded message or something. But as you say, I think the beauty in a poem does not arise solely from itself, but also from the vision of the person who is reading, listening, thinking about it. So in that way, there is not one but an infinite amount of poems, and the fact that I cannot find that much meaning in 'If I Could Tell You' doesn't really say much about the poem but more about myself. I'm really happy you shared your own vision with the world, keep up the good work.

[@evandotterer4365]

Awesome

[@MorphingReality]

bravo bravo bravo!!!

[@illneas]

Thank you buddy

[@adinacmx]

wow💓

[@illneas]

^^

[@adramalech3385]

This makes me happy. Not sad. Because I'm wise like the time '' I told you so''.

[@Fatima-rs6bv]

Amazing choice if music and beautiful video as always!

[@illneas]

I also liked the music a lot, thank you for your kind words

[@godot3033]

you are a hero Sir, keeping souls alive through poetry. thank you so much.

[@illneas]

I'm that poetry, this almost forgotten art-form still has fans.

[@AK-ic7dt]

I wonder if this is saying that fate is merely a human construct; because once an event occurs, it seems almost inevitable in hindsight. The most unfathomable and unlikely situations seem natural. Maybe, we use it as a means to justify our actions. Also, I feel like it's talking about how we lack perspective, how we are unable to look at the long-term ramifications or deep-rooted causes of what we do. This is such a complex poem.

[@shadia4710]

Enjoyed this! Could you perhaps do "Funeral Blues" by W.H. Auden 🥺❤️

[@bryanlyle33]

I'm not trying to give a opinion, listen and watching because I am now Edgar Allan Poe,but I write to calm my suicidal thoughts and my depression. These are awesome. Thank you

[@bettyledesma937]

Will be thinking of you...Look forward to see one of your comments in other Poem, another day ahead. Trust me. I am old...its worth to do the effort, to stay alive. You are loved, only you are not aware.

[@relm.5934]

I think I have a new favourite. This tugged some heartstrings.

[@flaneurable]

The poem didn't do much for me but your remarks are so refreshing. How many interpretations of a poem can you get? he he.

[@blusky3591]

The way you lowered thr brightness of a shot of ground with music was mind blowing. I assume it must've taken a lot of efforts for that effect. You're lit, af.

[@apb8813]

Please please do 'Stopping by The Woods on a Snowy Evening' !!! Your narrator's voice would be so perfect for it, with some sad Richter-like orchestral suite in the background. It would be phenomenally touching, even if that poem has been done to death

[@melodyclark4347]

Thank you very much. Recommend by you tube. I think I'll stay. 💗

[@refiner2317]

What is the inspiration for the channel name?

[@illneas]

This is a story for another time.

[@refiner2317]

@@illneas oooh. Anticipation... I like you

[@anjananaturelover2083]

illneas; What an excellent taste in poetry you have! Thank you for this! Regards ,from India🇮🇳

[@daveitmoran]

New subscriber here. Top class

[@illneas]

Thank you man, really appreciate it.

[@corvodraken3049]

Could someone explain to me how they see the meaning of this, maybe I didn’t get it at first but usually I can relate to anything, but this I couldn’t feel at all. I’m interested to see though

[@garylewis6657]

Written in 1940, obviously a reference to WW2 and how people have been duped into going to war. Very subtle message, almost hoping people will connect the dots, themselves. Reference to fortunes is double meaning: not foretelling the future in one sense and, 'out of love' not telling them they've been conned into another bankers war - ('time only knows the price we have to pay' etc.) 'The winds must come from somewhere when they blow' reference to propaganda and why nobody is questioning the 'narrow stream' of information (ie, 'brooks') This is a poem of sheer desperation on Auden's part, he knows that this message will fall on deaf ears if delivered directly - he knows that if people could only just piece it together themselves, then all that pride, jingoism, dogmatism, honour etc, could be smashed open long enough for the individual to regain him/herself and see what is really going on. Strictly following villanelle form, I think he has also wanted to convey that, even in times like these, it is possible to have self control and discipline which can be guided by well established rules. That's what I got from it.

[@corvodraken3049]

G L cheers man, I find a lot of the ones I listen to tend to be about being alone or living with a mental health issue so thats kinda what I was looking for. Thanks for the clarification

[@amanpapabear]

And by the way , the narrator’s voice is the best ! 👍🏽😎

[@somebodynow9849]

Don't think I understood the real meanings of most of those lines. Well, there's always someone above you 🙏

[@uhhuh1084]

“Time will say nothing but I told you so”

[@rezakxo7554]

Nice🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@illneas]

^^

[@SamSpeaks00]

❤️

[@petesquire2954]

A Wordsmith; and if I could I would !

[@micahscanz]

Awesome job, mate, but do you take suggestions? If so, I think “One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop would make such a good video, especially since it’s also a villanelle like this one (they sound so much better read aloud!)

[@scarlettyoung9718]

Whilst hearing this poem I felt something shift in me. Like it was telling me my purpose in life, which is to look for reason. But it must me a road I choose that is why he would let me know If could, but he can't. We all must face choices and will only be able to find them within ourselves. Time does not show us the way it simply states the fact that one day we will die. What we do within the time that is given to us is our choice. We must find the answers on our own but be true and follow our instincts