Aug 1, 2009

6th Virtual Poetry Circle

Don't forget about the Verse Reviewers link I'm creating here on Savvy Verse & Wit.

Send me an email with your blog information to savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

And now, for the sixth edition of the Virtual Poetry Circle:

OK, Here's the first poem up for reactions, interaction, and--dare I say it--analysis:

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock's books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don't like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

This week's poem brings us back to a contemporary poet, Jeannine Hall Gailey whom I interviewed. If you missed my review of her book, Becoming the Villainess, feel free to check it out. I've selected a poem from her book called "The Conversation" from page 70.



The Conversation

I am an avenging goddess, she said, severely.
What about that do you not understand?

I need you, he said. Even without your costumes.
I lie in the dark and think of you. Every night more.

I eat men like you for breakfast. Her right hand gripped
a sword. I've forgotten how to make my lips do anything but sneer.

I could make you French roast instead, he offered.
He was blond and easy on the eyes.

There is no happy ending for us. You've seen the stories--
in the end I'd be bent over your slain body,

miss the gunshot, the final blow. But think, he said, how sad,
all that you're missing--the slow sunny afternoons in pajamas,

maybe a cat--or an African pygmy hedgehog--on the couch.
Trips to the grocery store. Bad movies.

Anyway, she said, I'm late. She picked up a handbag full of arrows.
Please try not to disclose my secret identity. I'll see you later.

He pretended not to care as her shadow lengthened in the doorway.
She pretended not to notice the sudden heaviness of her sword.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let's have a great discussion...pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence. Most of all have fun!

2 comments:

Anna said...

I love the back and forth between the two characters. It made me laugh.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

I really enjoyed the conversation format of this poem.

my favorite section is:

"I eat men like you for breakfast. Her right hand gripped
a sword. I've forgotten how to make my lips do anything but sneer."

I wonder which goddess this is? Any ideas? I'd guess, but I want to hear what others have to say.