The Genius of the Crowd by Charles Bukowski (read by Tom O'Bedlam)

He died in '94, not '44. Sorry about that.
The woodcut is from "Madman's Drum" by Lynd Ward, about 1930
there is enough treachery, hatred violence absurdity in the average
human being to supply any given army on any given day
and the best at murder are those who preach against it
and the best at hate are those who preach love
and the best at war finally are those who preach peace
those who preach god, need god
those who preach peace do not have peace
those who preach peace do not have love
beware the preachers
beware the knowers
beware those who are always reading books
beware those who either detest poverty
or are proud of it
beware those quick to praise
for they need praise in return
beware those who are quick to censor
they are afraid of what they do not know
beware those who seek constant crowds for
they are nothing alone
beware the average man the average woman
beware their love, their love is average
seeks average
but there is genius in their hatred
there is enough genius in their hatred to kill you
to kill anybody
not wanting solitude
not understanding solitude
they will attempt to destroy anything
that differs from their own
not being able to create art
they will not understand art
they will consider their failure as creators
only as a failure of the world
not being able to love fully
they will believe your love incomplete
and then they will hate you
and their hatred will be perfect
like a shining diamond
like a knife
like a mountain
like a tiger
like hemlock
their finest art

[@FreddyBNL]

I would like to recognize Tom O'Bedlam. Without him on so fitting voice the poems would not feel as powerfull and true as the do. Tom's voice captures the Bukowski spirit perfectly. Thank you Tom.

[@YoungNino2017]

He should have gotten an honorary PhD in psychology for this one

[@pynhunsusngi6079]

One of the reasons why KZbin is important...??? Charles Bukowski's poems and you reading them.... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@cevemeve]

Half of the pleasure of discovering this awesome piece resides on your voice. Thank you.

[@whit2642]

One of the most relatable and long lasting reflections of society. 💜

[@whitekiltwhitekilt1611]

Hank had a Good heart. He knew the human element all to well. He knew enough to keep his distance. He knew what they were capable of and what they have already done. It’s been said that one death is a tragedy, but one million is just a number.

[@jahwarrior72]

Charles Bukowski saved my life. true story.

[@lindabuonline]

Powerful! How come I didn't know him before.

[@phroney]

Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you, for reading so much of Bukowski! I cannot get enough of his poetry.

[@Artamia1]

....Thank-You, Tom, for your work, your time... thanks for thinking of us while uploading so many good gifts for us......... Hope - You know - You're the best... and your choices (of poems) are 'my' choices, too... Also, please accept my gratitude for being so considerate > including the text of poems, helping us images and stories of how was made the poem/s and poet bio/s and references.... Grazie mille ¡¡ Please be well & often happy. Happy 2014 - year of wooden Horse [by Chinese calendar]

[@Zaphod615]

This mans voice completely gave me the chills at the end.

[@zenclaw13]

I absolutely love your voice! It adds so much to the work. Just great!

[@anmpir]

One of my favourite pieces so far! Thank you for allowing folks to discover such magnificent works!

[@michaelsampson7714]

This is literally the first poem that's ever made sense to me

[@CoreaKixx420]

Thank you for that most perfect read, Tom...kudos, from Tim in Ontario, Canada!!

[@bamb04]

Well said! And the picture goes along perfectly with this poem. Thumbs up, thumbs up!

[@mojorare2]

Your voice is listening in Argentina every day. Thank you.

[@everdarkable]

it's just something about Charels Bukowski that i cant get enough of.

[@AnnaLVajda]

Beware the average is the most poignant part because it is the average who lack understanding or creativity the most.

[@golo5000]

I have frozen paused on 2.13, so I can read it every day till I sear it, into my brain for it is what I have experienced in my life time. Bukowski, sums it up in a few....

[@SnowSNS11]

I'm starting to love all his works! I admire him.

[@MrTehRave]

So very true

[@steso824]

Fell in love with your ability to breath such life and emotion into Bukowskis poems. I actually had to make a song for your reading, and now I want to ask for your permission to use your reading for the track. And off course you can hear it before making a decision and I’ll make sure to credit your work. BestSteso

[@sunnycheba]

Beware their love, it is average. They will cut the rope. You will crawl back from death only to find them burning your clothes.

[@AdiemusBC]

This poet or rather this genious is an expert on social affairs. He lived long on this planet before he wrote this poem.

[@YAMI-co8fq]

the genius of the voice ..

[@pdlyonspoetry]

thanks for posting one of the few true poets of america or anywhere else for that matter.

[@alirezafallah4330]

your voice is from heaven

[@oldnavyrum]

My favourite poem and a perfect reading. Sends shivers down my spine. Thankyou

[@karmeladedic8289]

Beware, more than ever!

[@Irisphotojournal]

Probably his best and so true.!

[@ceannam]

i subscribe to your channel, and i just wanted to say that you make my world a little brighter by being in it. Thank you for all the lovely readings, you have a very good voice for such things. so yeah, have a good day and please keep posting is all i have to say really.

[@MichielVenmans]

Great poem

[@iwasbornfriday]

There is so much hard truth to this

[@rhubarbtheatre44]

Spot on.

[@natedelaunay]

I hate how I see myself as the person he's trying to protect the reader against

[@rlara2k7]

Thank you for NOT adding music

[@rruderalis]

you have 1 big like from Romania for you work:)

[@p00pdawg]

Wow,,,,

[@Mufcuw]

Great voice

[@BullittMcQueen1]

There is a new TV series titled The Genius if the Crowd. I wonder where they got that title? :)

[@bibonivine]

Hello Tom! May I use your voice for a video story I am working on? I will give you credit if you approve ofcourse?

[@SpokenVerse]

Dear Pierre, I don't mind people using my readings for artistic or educational purposes. You don't need my permission because it's fair use. I'm often asked this question and, as you might guess, this is my stock reply But you must consider copyright. As a rule of thumb, if the writer was alive anytime in the past 75 years then the laws of copyright apply. Bukowski's work is still subject to copyright. If your purpose is commercial, such as promoting something or selling something - then you will need the permission of the copyright holder. Permission can cost quite a lot and that's why you rarely see modern poetry used in commercials. If it's "fair use" meaning that you're just quoting the poem or illustrating it for educational purposes, not making money, then it's usually okay. Poets - and readers - like to be heard.　 Good luck with your project, Tom

[@GinzaGeorge]

Wow. Goosebumps

[@richardweisdorf5998]

love this poem but as a peace seeker i am obviously troubled by it. i try not to enforce peace on others. i notice a contradiction between the message here and that of the crunch. but it doesn't take away from the power.

[@Earbly]

I think the keyword is "preach" in all those lines. Our politicians PREACH peace yet they are constantly at war. Those who preach God are likely those furthest from him. That sorta thing. If you don't enforce peace then you're likely a pretty peaceful person.

[@rodrigoabi1]

I think the poem is critical to the hypocrisy in preachers who can't follow their own advice, not to the value of peace.

[@JudeMontague]

Great choice and reading, thanks

[@lowellthomasjr.468]

He certainly was one great WRITER ! lol

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Whose voice...? Doesn't sound like B. Is it you...? Good poem well delivered whoever it is...oh and thanks for your comment on my Profile.

[@robertjohnburton9775]

Wow! Still important

[@FrancescaVVilla]

Beautiful!!!

[@alancornelius1ghf]

True.

[@Despeville]

So true...

[@jagmohansingh]

Great !

[@zachariahjohn4040]

Thanks pal

[@brightmark777]

perfect

[@skelly1004]

Ngl, this is like an “I’m 14 and this is deep” post. Like, this is an incredibly flawed mindset.

[@iPankajBhatt]

Intense Eargasm.

[@marmas58ink]

On first listen... some good lines.. but the general drift too cynical for me. The People Yes... fare better in other poems. Including some by C B himself.

[@thecityhall6659]

Your voice is not from this planet.

[@porkotube]

omg are you the bum of the golden voice??