Margaret Atwood
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Now you know. Don't listen.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Siren Song
Margaret Atwood
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Now you know. Don't listen.
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Now you know. Don't listen.
3 comments:
-
Amy said...
-
very interesting.. Hope you are having a great Summer..
-
July 25, 2010 at 9:56 AM
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K A B L O O E Y said...
-
I didn't realize Margaret Atwood wrote poetry. Have enjoyed her novels, though. Always thought-provoking, if sometimes a bit pedantic.
-
July 25, 2010 at 9:59 AM
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Ginger said...
-
Amy - Hi and thanks! We're having a v nive summer, even though it is freaking HOT.
KABLOOEY - Maggie Atwood does write poetry! I LOVE it even more than her prose. I teach Morning in the Burned House which is v. controversial in high school. It deals with femenism, aging, politics and (gasp!) sex. I'm pushing the limits with this collection of poems, but good for me. It turns out the real world is messy. I highly recommend her poetry!! -
July 25, 2010 at 10:07 AM
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3 comments:
very interesting.. Hope you are having a great Summer..
I didn't realize Margaret Atwood wrote poetry. Have enjoyed her novels, though. Always thought-provoking, if sometimes a bit pedantic.
Amy - Hi and thanks! We're having a v nive summer, even though it is freaking HOT.
KABLOOEY - Maggie Atwood does write poetry! I LOVE it even more than her prose. I teach Morning in the Burned House which is v. controversial in high school. It deals with femenism, aging, politics and (gasp!) sex. I'm pushing the limits with this collection of poems, but good for me. It turns out the real world is messy. I highly recommend her poetry!!
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