arcticfox1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ted Hughes inspired me at a young age to love poetry. He reminds me of the Jaguar in his own poem, pacing his cell and watched by the curious crowd...

mcgigglish (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wonderful. Thankyou for putting this up. He had this amazing charisma that you can catch (some of) by watching this. Look at him telling the story of the dream - what a storyteller's imagination! The people in the studio with him must have been spellbound. It's rare to meet anyone like that these days - sadly.

purplecoffeecup (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I deeply admire both Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. Though he could have done things quite differently where Plath was concerned, I always suspected Ted Hughes was a human with a soul and not a beast-cruel in his intent to kill, as usually portrayed, and this corroborates my belief. Thank you. This was a poignant vision of a talented poet, tortured by elements beyond his control.

SYLVIACOHEN (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

His voice makes me shiver...He was so intense, a genius, a storyteller- he made you feel you wanna listen again and again, dreaming, mesmerized, like those people before the cage of his Jaguar

kamatt4 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I saw Ted Hughes at an A-level updates thing on poetry in London, with thousands of students. Other Poets were there; Simon Armitage who analysed one of Hughes' poems, Glyn Maxwell and others. Ted came on and read a few of his poems, stupidly I can't remember which ones. Also the sound system distorted, maybe his voice did this. I saw this man. I heard his voice. I won't miss him, because I didn't know him. I can read and listen to his poetry anytime.

quinnmcqueen (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

"We had fed the heart on fantasies, the heart's grown brutal from the fare, More substance in our emnities than in our love..." Ted Hughes knew more than many of the pain and vigour of love. As strong and ancient as our Yorkshire landscape, may you rest in peace Ted

eggnez (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thank you for puting this up. So tragic, so enchanting. This is what poetry is about.

Sindizwe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yes, charismatic indeed, but his eyes are tragic. A luminous voice, and a way with words that fills me with awe. He has written some of the most moving poems ever.

andrewbattye375 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Still fantastically charismatic even as an old man. The greatest poet of the 20th century.

wilkinsonld (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

A superb tribute to an incredible man.