8.26.2008

"The Girl's Will; or Optimism" by Judith Hall

I like this poem, posted a week or so ago on the Best American Poetry blog. A cento, I assume? Been meaning to re-post it here. After Hillary's speech feels like a good time to do it.


The Girl's Will; or Optimism

After Alice, Lolita, Candy, Candide, and Alice Again

"Curiouser and curiouser!" cried —
Half-naked, kneeling, turning about on
"Darn Daddy anyway!" she said
Once upon a time.
Something interesting is sure to

Grow large again, for really
The sex interests of children
The heavy breathing of the
Best. For I am infinitely
Growing and growing, and very soon

With a yelp of delight
Stirring in a little girl
Her terrible selfishness, how it
Was an indispensable part of
Thinking I should be free.

"Please mind what you're doing!"
"This is a free country."
The girl was quite excited,
The best of all possible
Riddles that have no answers.

--Judith Hall


More Hall:
"The God that Took the Place of Pleasure" in The Boston Review
"White Bottom Blues" (BAP blog again)
"Poem for the Wheat Penny (1909-1958)"
Three Poems in Inertia Magazine

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