Changeling

Poems that mimic or react to poets of influence

By Drew Mazur

Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for a Degree in Writing

Creative Option

May 7, 2013

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Vastola

Abstract

This collection is composed of poems that convey the style and forms of selected poets. Presented is a short introduction for each poet,

and poems (in bold) written by these poets next to my poems that react to these poems, borrow some aspect of the poem‟s form, or

both. Some cited poems are just a section of the poem. Additional poems presented without a poet‟s original poem only mimic their

style, and have little or no connection to a specific poem. Poems are separated by titles, or numerically. For words or names with the

symbol °, refer to the notes.

2 Table of Contents

Emily Dickinson – introduction…………………………………………………4

Marilyn Chin - introduction……………………………………………………15

Mary Oliver - introduction…………………………………………………….26

Wisława Szymborska - introduction…………………………………………..32

Notes……………………………………………………………………………..39

Cited Works…………………………………………………………………….40

3

Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886)

Dickinson was an American poet born in Amherst, Massachusetts. Introverted, Dickinson was considered ahead of her time, having an unconventional use of capitalization, and an extensive use of hyphenation and slant rhymes. She was, in her lifetime, influenced by the likes of William Wordsworth, William Shakespeare and Ralph Waldo Emerson. She passed away from kidney

failure. Despite the fact that she had made a promise to burn her poetry, her works became recognized after her lifetime.

4 (1) She, her Cigarette – in May –

Nicotine tongue – in December –

That response – nine months late –

Laugh not for my Ears –

Her God, Composer – Regina Spektor° –

My Exile – from Milford –

My Envy – Her forgotten Pledge –

My Buddha – a Fab –

She, a Downfall – sweetest Epiphany –

All this Blood for her – Grace –

Perpetuity has no Regrets –

And neither do I.

5 He found my Being – set it up – (2) He dissipated your Name – deceived it

Adjusted it to place – Wrapped it in a bow

Then carved his name – upon it – Signed the Card – with his Lover‟s tag –

And bade it to the East Sent it to the Sprite

Be faithful – in his absence – Do not be faithful – He is absent –

And he would come again – He drifted away on his own Vanity –

With Equipage of Amber – A Vehicle of Impudence –

That time - to take it Home – Remember that Time – it lapses –

-Emily Dickinson

6 (3) I cannot bear – this Émigré – For the rest of your Time –

A Light made White Noise – The Eye – which sits in Memory –

Make me your – Epilogue – It was always there for you –

For the coming Show – Now it is your Disease –

It does not fade – That – It loves to reminisce –

Which is made of Smoke – In your Stress – in your –

It haunts You – A ghost – Madness – which has not come –

In a living Being – And may never come to pass –

Taken from Grace –

Molded in your – Disdain – (4) You are immune to Pleasure –

Marking the Walls – You allow it to transpire –

No Paint can bring closure – In the Echoes of your books-

Which do not translate –

7 She sights a Bird – she chuckles – (5) She sights a Martyr – she chuckles –

She flattens – then she crawls – She stares – then she lingers –

She runs without the look of feet – She monitors that passing hour –

Her eyes increase to Balls – It has nothing else to offer –

Her Jaws stir – twitching – hungry – The Lemon, so acidic – unripe –

Her Teeth can hardly stand – Chapped lips will not agree –

She leaps, but Robin leaped the first – Ah, but they will try to speak –

Ah, Pussy, of the Sand, What Recklessness this produces –

The Hopes so juicy ripening – A passing Rhapsody – from Windows –

You almost bathed your Tongue – Which will not close for the Martyr –

When Bliss disclosed a hundred Toes – They will descend into Ignorance –

And fled with every one – Our little Tragedy –

-Emily Dickinson

8 (6) A Bird – feathered in Silk – (7) Birds bring Music – Owls –

These are the Ruminations Bring Night –

Of a prince looking for Universes The Snake brings an Apple –

So he knows his is not worth – For perverted Delight –

Governing with Fists –

They will never listen to Fantasy A Squirrel brings just –

They will never read words in Bark Whatever it finds –

And that is why they are – The Chipmunk says he Must –

Of their own Ephemerality – Raid a rock wall‟s Cell –

9 Bee! I'm expecting you! (8) Spring! I‟m expecting you!

Was saying Yesterday Was telling a friend

To Somebody you know Wrapped in twenty layers

That you were due – Winter has lost its Groove –

The Frogs got Home last Week – No one is home – when –

Are settled, and at work – I knock on a Seashell –

Birds, mostly back – This Shore is surely waiting –

The Clover warm and thick – For more Glass to confiscate –

You'll get my Letter by You‟ll get served by Pigeon

The seventeenth; Reply On the eighth; just

Or better, be with me – Thought you should know –

Yours, Fly. Yours truly, a Seagull.

-Emily Dickinson

10 (9) Philosophy – (10) Chivalry is found – in Masonry –

Her Practice Where Art and yard Design mate –

Not Lobotomy And the Flowers will return –

When your silly Hat is retired –

But Phlebotomy

If my exam were this Tuesday Sorry about the Lilies –

Yours was – four Score ago They were bought in five Seconds –

They wrapped Them nicely – at least –

Right next to the coffee Shop For your high school Prom –

Where we made Latex

Into Immorality.

(11) “Nature” is a Conspiracy –

It was made up in a Cuckoo‟s Nest –

They discussed Economics –

As if it were the original Religion –

11 The Moon upon her fluent Route (12) The Sun burning her wealthy Fields

Defiant of a Road – In Absence of the Storm –

The Star’s Etruscan Argument A Flare‟s Phonetic Rendering

Substantiate a God – Ferments estival Wine –

If Aims impel these Astral Ones If Love depraves the Solid Stones

The ones allowed to know The mountain Rock that wears

Know that which makes them as forgot Believe in its aesthetic Poise

As Dawn forgets them – now – As night cocooned them – once –

-Emily Dickinson

12 Just Once! Oh least Request! (13) Always! Without Patience!

Could Adamant refuse The Adamant are false, refusing

So small a Grace The smallest Grace.

So scanty put, True, Modesty veils

Such agonizing terms? All terms overlooked.

Would not a God of Flint Their God, is he

Be conscious of a sigh Their only Flint

As down His Heaven dropt remote For forgiving an Earth, Heavenly,

“Just Once” Sweet Deity? “For Always” in Tryst?

-Emily Dickinson

13 How soft a Caterpillar steps – (14) How loud a Car approaches –

I find one on my Hand I see one on the Artery

From such a velvet world it comes With such a sheering pain – it rides –

Such plushes at command Such ignorance of night‟s command

Its soundless travels just arrest Its preaching crusade to arrest

My slow – terrestrial eye This lost – illicit saint

Intent upon its own career Refrained from dreaming by a wolf

What use has it for me – Where will he take his kill –

-Emily Dickinson

14

Marilyn Chin (1955 –)

Marilyn Chin is a Chinese-American poet. Her poetry often mixes her Chinese roots with American culture. It is contemporary in its conversational tone, yet recalls Li Po and even Emily Dickinson. She is the author of “The Phoenix Gone, The Terrace Empty”,

“Dwarf Bamboo” and “Rhapsody in Plain Yellow.” She teaches at San Diego State University. In the late 1970s, she was a translator for the University of Iowa International Writing Program. She was born in Hong Kong, but raised in Portland, Oregon.

15 - School Interlude -

In my rented red Miata I veered and turned I went down the road to the get a Snickers

I veered and turned but couldn’t find the exit A Snickers I‟ll eat while they are fucking

As they are fucking this bite

I couldn’t find the exit the // rain // in // my // hair This bite will taste so fucking good

-Marilyn Chin, Hospital Interlude So fucking good I will not think

(section of poem) Think about their fucking

Fucking good distraction

I would like to eat this for // all // etern / I / t / y

16 - Where are we now? -

We’re a seed on the manure, on the sole of your shoe Where are we when the gun yells victim?

We’re the louse trapped in your hank of golden hair Where are we now that the Great Wall is downgraded to

We’re the sliver that haunts beneath your thumbnail attraction?

We’re the church mouse you scorched with a match but Where are we now that the man in the moon may not be a

lived white, male Republican?

-Marilyn Chin, Millenium, Six Songs Where will we be when the hsieh° return?

(section of poem)

Where are we going? Jersey?

Where are we going to stop for a bathroom?

Where did she give up her body to the guitarist from –

that band?

Where are we now?

17 The dog is barking at the door - Soup Bowl -

“Daddy crashed the car”

“Hush, kids, go to your room He eats the recommended dish.

Don’t come out until it’s over” “When did they start selling this shit?”

-Marilyn Chin, Variations on an Ancient Theme: When they finished their meal, they thanked the waitress

The Drunken Husband (section of poem) “Nice piece of ass”

Now we have to go with him to review paperwork

It never ends, does it?

They televise the president.

“Fucking socialist. I hate that fascist.”

Fascists are not socialists.

“Of course they are, dumbass.”

Meeting ends, and we break for more food.

“We should just go back to the Korean restaurant for dinner.

How fucking funny would that be?”

18 - Changeling - Why He? Is She not

a silhouette in the

One foot in Buda- one doorway as well? in 'pest - PESCHT - Taketh and giveth. my grandmothers spoke with a Hungarian Why He? She was

there when I stroked accent. My other relatives, those wrists. A changeling

Polish, spoke perfect always remembers.

English. "Yoy Eztanem!"

How they have lost their roots! Why He? They‟d want

you to think She is

Let / Him / bless / this / not a Philistine‟s daughter, meal / and / this / table moral compass buried.

19 Why He? Where art thou, Lilith? Could it be?

The roots I have lost Not // He // is // were regenerated when bastardly G-d // but // rhapsodies ravished the irises. She // is //

Goddess!

The L-rd giveth and take away

This little Cheshire cat

(Did you find the looking glass?)

That sits upon Her bedroom wall

And tastes the bloodied rat

(Keep it down to two minutes, please.)

Is this creature the original, or the dream sister?

Will He switch them back?

20 “The Disorder” by Marilyn Chin - The Cure -

The only truth you know now is your hunger Maybe if you taught him more than hunger, growing wider as the season darkens. the season would ripen with the progeny. and all the fasting and Hindu calisthenics I have never heard of Hindu calisthenics couldn’t keep those inches off. The fat but they sound painful. adheres to you like cancer or a warm lichen Painfully ineffective, dependent on a tree trunk’s insecurity but maybe the lichen will pick and unwilling to part. a new trunk if you find a

Everywhere new photosynthetic lover. you venture the mirrors whisper, Everything the pond’s reflections resound your dolor. depends upon looking through the reflection

The winter doldrums comfort the beasts and finding the pond‟s inhabitants.

Within all but yourself – maybe if you made him a beast, too,

As you reach out he would feel more at home – to gather more confections and sweet rewards, He reaches out

21 As you attempt to fill an emptiness for attention, but you did too once, not filled by the sun, as you wait as you did when you were for your inevitable fall, a child, it helped when

a small child the inevitable prayer, within you remembers: so these, these the experienced chum were the “golden mountains!” recalled: these, these mountains

were never “gold”; don’t lean on their old

reputation.

22 - Orphan Moon -

holy

mystic moon

beloved orphan

mys tic

beloved

orphan

Sex / pictures / for / sale / ask / the / Christian / doppelgangers /

magpies bamboo hopes jacaranda refrigerator death

if you want chrysanthemum notwithstanding gorges shamelessly matte I‟m yours condor „s lover free -way

quatrains vulgar landscape bumfuzzle idiomatic

23 Clear white stream – - Master of Nothing - a dead horse drifts; its legs are branches Master of Nothing – piercing the sky. Tu Fu° deceives you

singing his ballads

Clear white stream – along the river bank. a child dangles her pole; deep in the water Master of Nothing – a lungfish bites. the moon toad drowns

-Marilyn Chin, Clear White Stream as poisoned herbs

(section of poem) wait for the rabbit

Master of Nothing –

Li Po° was here

wading Bamboo Stream

in hsieh° bamboo aegis

24 Master of Nothing – -Are we that crowing cock,

Lu Yu° drifts hither shot by Six Dynasties? on a willow bank awake, heavy with wine

Master of Nothing –

Ling-Yun° stalks a moon bathing her ankles in tepid sweat

Master of Nothing –

Chin is your daughter named for a white girl drinking gin in some club

25

Mary Oliver (1935 –)

Mary Oliver is an American poet. Her poetry books include “New and Selected Poems”, “Blue Iris”, “White Pine” and “Why I

Wake Early”. She has won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award, and was Poet Laureate of the United States.

She lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts, with Molly Malone Cook. She focuses on the beauty and simplicity of nature, writes a

lot of prose, occasionally has enjambment, and uses variable foot frequently in her poetry book, “Why I Wake Early”.

26 - I Think They Were Frogs -

The existence of

They cannot be their bodies

seen. What first is overshadowed

sounded by the tuba

like an alarm,

they play.

coming from the A strong gust

lake, rips at their

rightly was their symphony, nearly

mating call.

turning me into

Of course their carnivorous

there is concern! The meal.

lake But if

is farting.

27 I linger upon

the acre-wide

apocalypse,

their brass band

will soon

play

an encore

for me.

28 “Many Miles” by Mary Oliver

The feet of the heron, Or think of the cricket, under those bamboo stems, his green hooks hold the blue body, climbing the blade of grass – the great beak or think of camel feet

above the shallows like ear muffs, of the pond. striding over the sand –

Who could guess or think of your own their patience? slapping along the highway,

Sometimes the toes a long life, shake, like worms. many miles.

What fish To each of us comes could resist? the body gift.

29 - The End -

I don‟t want in our séance. Dearest to go inside; specter, your lack of this highway curiosity in our rapport is worth starving has no beginning

myself of supper. nor end. A stone

It‟s glimmer strobes philosopher on around boughs and a cotton car seat, the arboreal until I inquire to the

I forget the omnipotent owl in his clout, with my this nocturnal selected apparition locked drafts:

30 Why do I hold on to a promise I made in a Christmas card?

*

Why do I care for statues? Is their lack of retort soothing?

*

Who sets the stadium lights to go on at exactly 9:15?

*

The hoi polloi have come for your secrets! Fetch your sages!

*

How cold is the coffee when you don‟t come to enjoy it?

*

Do you call Luna in her absence?

*

Do you rain check a full moon for such occasions?

31

Wisława Szymborska (1923 – 2012)

Szymborska was a Polish poet, editor, columnist, essayist and translator. Described as the “Mozart of Poetry”, she was awarded the

1996 Nobel Prize for Literature. When asked why she has published so few poems, she responded, “I have a trash can in my

home.”

32 “In Praise of Dreams” by Wisława Szymborska - In Libel of Hells -

In my dreams In my hell

I paint like Vermeer van Delft. I paint like the undergraduate freshman.

I speak fluent Greek I only speak English and not just with the living. and ask why no one else learns.

I drive a car I drive a car that does what I want it to. behind dozens of bumper stickers.

I am gifted I am gifted and write many epics. but cannot write my masterpiece.

33 I hear voices I hear voices as clearly as any venerable saint. declaring that I am the second coming.

My brilliance as a pianist My brilliance as a pianist would stun you. costs $285 to recompense the venue.

I fly the way we ought to, I fly on the taxpayers; i.e., on my own. FOI° requires receipts.

Falling from the roof, Falling from the roof,

I tumble gently to the grass. the next guy gets to be Santa Claus.

I’ve got no problem “Sure, I‟ve got no problem breathing under water. with FCC° policy.”

34 I can’t complain: I can‟t complain:

I’ve been able to locate Atlantis. my friend was the one who was committed.

It’s gratifying that I can always It‟s dying that is wake up before dying. my most gratifying wake-up call.

As soon as war breaks out, “As soon as war breaks out,

I roll over on my other side. I roll over on my other side.”

I’m a child of my age, I‟m a child of my age, but I don’t have to be. but I have children to raise.

A few years ago A few years ago

I saw two suns. I saw a penguin.

35

And the night before last a penguin, And the day before last a sun, clear as day. but no penguin.

36 “Do you still think about him?” “But I’m not crying.” - Great and Empty -

“That’s all there is?” “No one but you.”

“At least you’re honest.” “Don’t worry, “Give it a pinch!” “Oh ye Jersey birds.”

I’m leaving town.” “Don’t worry, “Is this absolutely where you live?”

I’m going.” “You have such beautiful hands.” “No, listen, I‟ll tell you why.” “I resent the insinuation.”

-Wisława Szymborska, The Tower of Babel “That?” “Death for all ages and occasions! The morbid Moors

(section of poem) and the mystic misses are in for a celebratory libation.”

“She‟ll give you a letter of introduction, won‟t you?”

“I am too close, too close.” “So you are addressing me like

that now?” “I dig you, man.” “I desire some backtalk.”

“All right, in a minute. Tell them just a second.”

“You can‟t stop the machine. I exercise body as well as mind.”

“You mean about the dance?” “They used to call me „The

Tank.‟” You’ve played for him before?” “Eleven weeks.

Official business and no questions asked.”

37 “It was a coincidence.” “But it wasn‟t a coincidence at all.”

“Eet. Eet. Eet.” “O-kay.”

38 Notes

FCC refers to the Federal Communications Commission.

FOI refers to “freedom of information.”

The term hsieh was a term that referred to chivalrous vigilantes in ancient China who protected women and children.

Ling-Yun (385-433) was a Chinese poet from the Six Dynasties era (220 – 589).

Lu Yu (1125-1209) was a Chinese poet from the Song Dynasty.

Regina Spektor (1980-) is an American singer/songwriter and pianist.

Tu Fu (712-770) and Li Po (701-762) were Chinese poets from the Tang Dynasty.

39 Cited Works

Chin, Marilyn. Rhapsody in Plain Yellow. New York: W.W. Norton, 2002.

Chin, Marilyn. The Phoenix Gone, The Terrace Empty. Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions, 1994.

Dickinson, Emily. Dickinson: Poems of Emily Dickinson. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993.

Oliver, Mary. Why I Wake Early. Boston: Beacon, 2004.

Szymborska, Wisława. Poems, New and Collected, 1957-1997. Trans. Stanisław Barańczak and Clare Cavanagh. New York:

Harcourt, 1998.

40