8 Comments

This is sooo good, Tresha! So funny and true. I love the sonnets on his back, and the implications with villainous lake. Hilarious, given Collins' disdain for traditional forms. I once wrote a response poem to his poem, "Sonnet," but never found a home for it (and really mine is nowhere as good as yours). I do have a response poem to Poe's "Annabelle Lee" in Booth.

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What a fabulous poem, Tresha! His poem has enraged me every time I've thought of it over the years. This is so much larger - as all good poems are! - than my response and his. Gorgeous! <3

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Love this Tresha -- dynamite!

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That Collins’ poem is disgusting & enraging, especially that stanza where he makes her so passive. And the swan reference in the last stanza reminds me of Leda & the swan.

Thanks for your response poem! Love it, especially that first stanza. But all of it is delicious & bloody fantastic that it was nominated!!! Congrats!!

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Tresha! This is amazing. A better poem by far than BC’s. I have a really terrible story about BC that I have not shared publicly, from when I met him in the UK many years ago. I might slip it into one of my Substack pieces some time. LOVE your poem. I’m going to share it with my workshop group if that’s okay.

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Also, I definitely want to hear the story, but understand if you don't want to share it here. I've never met Collins, so this piece is purely a response to his poem, and to some other male poets I know.

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Hi Ros, I am so glad you like this poem. Yes, by all means, share it!

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