That's me, too, Gail. Oh, yes, Tim, do your anthology! And, speaking of Gail White, here are two more poems which are typical of her work, and which I meant to include at the beginning of this thread. They are quite appropriate here:
POSTCARD TO MISS DICKINSON
I’m Somebody? Well, no—
Perhaps a half one, though,
While you’ve been somebody for years—
Perhaps you didn’t know?
How dreary to be Nobody!
How fetid, like the Bog
Where chortling frogs exult above
The stifled Pollywog!
A VISIT ON ALL SAINTS DAY
Hello. I’ve brought your favorite flowers again.
How is it going under there, my dead?
On this side, we’re no better off than when
you walked beside us. (Yes, I know I said
the same last year.) The human race is not
improvable. Ask any saint you meet.
We’ve gone to war again without a thought.
Our leaders shuffle bribes, our heroes cheat.
Your children haven’t turned out awfully well,
but who expected it? You’re not to blame,
and anyway I don’t believe in hell.
Goodbye for now. I’m always glad I came.
I make no promises about next year,
but one way or another, I’ll be here.
|