Longfellow

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BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Longfellow

#1 Post by BobBradshaw » 15 Jul 2016, 22:09

Longfellow


Henry awoke to you racing towards him, Fanny,
your summer dress a fury of flames.

He would rather be mauled by wild dogs
than face that night again,

and blames himself for not saving you,
his wounds minor: hands burned,

his neck disfigured. To this day
he hides his facial scars

with a beard, rough as horse hair.
Friends no longer bring that night up,

and at times Henry must feel
like it never happened.

Yet, when he least expects it,
his beard will envelop him

in a scent of thick
smoke.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Longfellow

#2 Post by FranktheFrank » 16 Jul 2016, 10:53

Sad story Bob, he grieved her for the rest of his life.

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Longfellow

#3 Post by Michael (MV) » 17 Jul 2016, 05:59

 
Longfellow - the fellow poet who composed long poems

I think of Longfellow, I see life-long(and forever) narratives,

esp Evangeline - estranged yet never separated - the heart can't be divided

"evangeline" good news gospel

I didn't know of this re his wife Frances (Fanny)

apropos I learn of it via your poem - a biographical account, not merely fyi denotative

Your poem encouraged me to research & (re)learn Longfellow's bio, time, & creativity.

His surname became an epithet for his time here, after his wife & love received the miracle lift.

Also serendipitous, too, that I found this yesterday at the 3rd anniversary
celebrating the birth of the strongest source of love in my life into Eternity

Although, like Longfellow, I'm yet here in the finite, and am temporarily experiencing the - not lost - physical & emotional absence


You relate the experience in 16 skillfully-drawn lines.

Effective, and I think Longfellow, a master of meter, would admire your free verse.

You relate the experience in 16 skillfully-drawn lines

Keeping it free & alive, here's a workshop variation as . . . (see below)

I still wake racing towards you, Fanny,
your summer dress a rush of floral flames.

I'd rather be mauled by wild dogs
than confront that nightmare again,

blaming myself for not saving you,
and my wounds minor: hands burned,

neck disfigured. To this day
I hide the facial scars

with a beard, rough as horse hair.
Our friends no longer mention it,

and there are moments when it seems
like it never happened.

Yet, least expecting it,
the thick of my beard will engulf me

as fumes up in smoke.


^^ . . . as a persona poem   Henry in an emotional virtual communication with Fanny

Are you familiar with Louise Glück - 12th US poet laureate (2003) & a contemporary master of the persona poem(Beth Fennelly, too)


8)

Michael (MV)
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Longfellow

#4 Post by BobBradshaw » 17 Jul 2016, 20:00

Thanks, Michael. I appreciate your comments. And thanks for mentioning Beth Fennelly and Louise Gluck. I haven't read them in a long time, but I should definitely work them back into my reading list. There are so many good poets out there! We are very lucky.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Longfellow

#5 Post by FranktheFrank » 04 Aug 2016, 12:15

Bob
You have to copy and paste your final version of this or the other poem about eyesight into Palaver.

Michael may help with a final worshopping there and it does help a lot.

There isn't much time Bob.

If you need help please let me know.

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