The Hashish-Eater by Clark Ashton Smith (the most imaginative poem ever written)

The Poem:
THE HASHISH EATER (1920), an extraordinary prose-poem of malignant cosmic decadence and psychedelic evil, remains the signature work of its creator, the prolific fantasy author Clark Ashton Smith. Figuring prominently in the ranks of classic drug literature, THE HASHISH EATER clearly shows the influence on Smith of nineteenth century symbolists and visionary decadents such as Huysmans, Baudelaire, and William Beckford, allied to an avant-garde evocation of galactic horror.
My Approach:
I’ve found a lot of readings of this poem online during my research and suffice to say most of them take the traditional approach of the reader channeling his inner wizard, emperor, fiend, and necromancer. They’re a lot of fun; however, as fun as these reading were, I felt distracted by the deep foreboding voices at times and felt as if I could sufficiently read the work in a more somber and neutral tone, I’d be able to let the words take over and do their bidding. I’ve added music and effects to enhance the experience, this is just my preference for making the work as interactive as possible. Obviously, the best method to receive the poem is to read it out loud yourself and you’re more than free to do so. That being said, I hope you’re able to find a half hour, switch off the lights and enjoy the presentation.
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Music & sfx: Drew Elder
Narration & Editorial: Christopher Nightingale
Patreon link:
/ dunsaniandreams
List of Artists Images and links to their websites:
Dennis Forkas: www.denisforkas.com
Clark Ashton Smith: www.eldritchdark.com
Gustav Dore
Hervé Scott Flament:www.scottflament.com
Wayne Barlowe: www.waynebarlowe.com
Virgil Finlay
Odlin Redon
Matte Jaffe: www.matthewrjaffe.com
Theodor Kittelsen
Johfra Bosschart
John William Waterhouse
Gustav Moreau
Salvador Dali
Mariusz Lewandowski: www.mariuszlewandowski.pl
Max Ernst:
Christos Karapanos: www.christoskarapanos.com
Alexander Kostetsky: www.akostetsky.com
Hieronymus Bosch
Alfred Kubin
Gilbert Williams: www.iasos.com
Augustus knapp
Hans Toma
Irko Rački
Alfred Choubrac
Mirko Rački
Backgrounds used:
Videezy Standard Licens

[@matthewjaffe1763]

I had no idea how massive of an undertaking it was going to be. Excellent work compiling this masterful work of art.

[@dunsaniandreams9]

Mathew, thank you for letting me use your art. I truly appreciate you and all the visionaries who work in the realms of the imagination - the last bastion where the dreamers may freely roam!

[@bobwinch1788]

Man o man deep!!!! I loved it man the art was Awesome. Along with the music man!!!!!

[@claytonjames-stagg7780]

I read The Hashish-Eater many times, this is second time I heard an audio reading of Clark Ashton Smith's epic poem. I enjoyed listening to your audio. I also noticed that the description for this video says that the poem is a Prose-Poem, but in fact The Hashish-Eater is composed in Blank Verse.

[@antoniapaulinadelgado1680]

Came here quite by accident 12/09/20. Great ART! and Powerful script. I am a bit squeamish and would not look for something like this. It just appeared to me through a link my son sent me. I Would Love to own some Amethyst from Mars and sing songs of Mystic Poets in a purple room. I am a dreamer, and perhaps I have already done just that. THANKS! 👍🙈🙉🙊😁

[@Espiel78]

Breathtaking production! Thank you.

[@dunsaniandreams9]

Thank you too!

[@fungi42o0]

is this related to Ludlows ?

[@dunsaniandreams9]

@@fungi42o0 no it’s not. A far superior writer who you should definitely take the time to read.

[@andreperkowski2082]

Boy, you can see old HLP trying to hit these notes later

[@asdfasdf5695]

Who's HLP?

[@SanguineUltima]

​@@asdfasdf5695I think he's talking about Howard Phillips Lovecraft, but mixed his initials up. HPL was a huge admirer of Clark Ashton Smith.