6 Comments
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Ken Gordon's avatar

Seems this wasn't the only time a little kid provoked a poem from Mary Jo Salter: http://quickmuse.com/archive/landing.php?poem=47ac6534864d8

Monique's avatar

“Congenital goiter!” 😆 What was up with the renaissance physiology that baby necks looked like that? Or maybe it’s just something unique to the Lord (sorry to laugh at Your malady 🙏).

What a great sonnet! I wonder about Mary’s (author not subject) choice of format. Deviates from what I’m used to seeing.

Ken Gordon's avatar

If yer interested in learning more about what contemporary-type poets are doing with the form, Monique, take a look at this: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674061804

David Lehman's avatar

Nice work!

Mary Jo Bang's avatar

Thank you, David! I'm honored to have my sonnet follow your sonnet!

Mike Rogers's avatar

Somewhat earlier...

A NATIVITY SCENE

Painters dispose each figure

as various rules dictate

some smaller and some bigger

in wealth or church or state.

The patron who pays at the side,

the evangelist at his desk.

Flawless brushwork in fur, fleece, hide.

The shepherds picturesque.

The Kings are foreign, but royal,

and though they bow the knee

you know in the end they'd be loyal

each to their own country.

At the back, soldiers, ready for some task,

but what it might be, none of us dare ask.