[Mary Meriam]

rev. 1:

Canon

The tune I grew to know became my voice,
the tune that made me grow. I grew alone.
It was the only tune. I had no choice.
It wasn’t pretty, rooted in a moan.
Virginia’s suicide, and Charlotte’s too,
then Sylvia and Anne. I hear them call
and harmonize, as if they also grew
my sound. I listen to their final fall,
their final thoughts revolving in regret
for ending pain they couldn't understand,
the oven, river, poison, gas, the net
to guide them to the shore, with death in hand.
I couldn't save my sister, though I tried.
She suffered all her life, and then she died.



~~~


original:

Canon

The tune I grew to know became my voice.
The tune that made me grow, I grew alone.
It was the only tune. I had no choice.
It wasn’t pretty, rooted in a moan.
Virginia killed herself, and Charlotte too,
then Sylvia and Anne. I hear them call
and harmonize, as if they also grew
my sound. I listen to their final fall,
their final thoughts revolving in regret
for ending pain they couldn't understand,
the oven, river, poison, gas, the net
to guide them to the shore, with death in hand.
I couldn't save my sister, though I tried.
She suffered all her life, and then she died.