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Gemma Mason's avatar

That volta at line 10 is just explosive! I love it. I hear this poem as outright angry at being thwarted from going out into nature, and I think it’s magnificent.

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Rebecca Ellis's avatar

I learn so much of history, and so gently, from these little essays.

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Gemma Lynn Myers's avatar

I came across this poem recently, in a random dive into my Norton Anthology of college years. The title makes it unmistakeably memorable! It is good for us to see poetry from so long ago written by a woman, and a woman whose life was not privileged but often dire. I find it remarkable that she can hint at the desperation of her own feelings within the demanding structure of the sonnet form. How is it that the sonnet, so strictly ruled, can be the medium of the most chaotic despair? I think of G M Hopkins' Terrible Sonnets...

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Beth Impson's avatar

I get it -- and it makes me so sad. There was a time when I wished I were "uncursed with reason" -- but that means experiencing so much unhappiness, to wish to be unhinged from reality. I am grateful to be past that time. Harlan mentioned the story of the Gadarene demoniac, which is what I thought of as well. He thanked God for healing, and the return of reason was not a curse.

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Sally Thomas's avatar

Yes --- her poems are frequently quite sad. There's another one about painting still-life flower scenes while grieving the loss of a child that's really heartbreaking.

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Beth Impson's avatar

Sad poems have their place, as sadness is all too much a part of this broken world and must be witnessed to. I do appreciate the ones that contain at least a hint of hope about them, though.

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Julia's avatar

What a poem! Thank you for introducing it to me.

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Joseph Bottum's avatar

I think the title wonderful, one of the best titles ever.

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Keir's avatar

Agreed.

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Karen D'Anselmi's avatar

I have never heard of her before this morning. I love this sonnet, even its crazily ponderous title. Thank you! Poems ancient and Modern is (are) such a gift!

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Harlan Sexton's avatar

There's an echo here of the Gadarene demoniac's story (Mark 5). Before his healing, was there maybe one person who looked at him in empathy? One person who kept a safe distance but thought, "Buddy, I get you."

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Sally Thomas's avatar

That's a great point. I can't believe that story didn't occur to me as I was writing! Thanks for making the connection.

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