Thursday, February 2, 2012

Homage To Lucille

Recently, I received a phone call from my new great aunt in law, Lucille.  Lucille was calling to inform me she is in a calligraphy class, where the final project is to frame a calligraphed poem. Throughout Alex and my wedding planning process, Lucille and I would chat love poetry, exchange books, and give suggestions regarding the perfect love poems to be read during the ceremony. Things to note about Lucille: She is extremely intelligent,stunning, fashionable (dressed to the 9's every time), eloquent, a musician, an adventurer, an incredible calligrapher (with a vast knowledge of poetry), among many other things (not to mention she just turned 90, and was one of the last people dancing at her birthday party). I could gush on and on (and on and on. When she offered to write the poem of my choice for her calligraphy class, I was pleased as punch. It took some thought (but not the deep thoughts with Jack Handy kind of thoughts). I decided a poem by William Carlos Williams would be a lovely addition to our lives (see below #1). In retort to the thoughtful/ generous offer, I decided I'd attempt to write a poem to pay homage to Lucille (see below #2).Do note, I'm no Bill Shakespeare... 

1.
This Is Just To Say
 
by William Carlos Williams
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
2.
Lucille 
by Emily Harris

Dearest Lucille with great zeal
I graciously except your  generous deal
just the thought
of your ink pot
your literary expressions  
your letters, a lot
no words have looked finer
(no doubt in my mind)
to say with no fear
your work compliments from Dickinson to Shakespeare 



4 comments:

  1. Love it! You also forgot to mention that Aunt Lucille is hip!

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  2. So many things I forgot to mention...the list goes on! Hip, fun, pulls off wearing glorious hats!

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  3. omg emily i LOVE jack handy! your poem is incredible. i wish i could write like that for my grandmother. will you help me?

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