Hello

[Liriel]

Nice to meet you all. My name is actually Allison, but I've been using the nickname Liriel for almost 11 years now, so that is what most people know me by.

I've been writing for just as long. That's about all there is for me to say besides that I have a great appreciation for the written word, especially considering I work in a public library.

[Scavella]

Welcome!

Do some lurking, lots of reading, and then begin posting.

It's a great site, but it works best with respect.

Word.

Scavella, mod

[MEHope]

Become familiar with what a workshop is...

good luck, what poets do you read?

[Liriel]

Originally posted by MEHope
what poets do you read?


When I was younger I read a lot of Cummings, Li Po and T.S. Eliot. These days I read Tennyson, Rollins, Wilde, Rilke and a few others. Rilke and Rollins being two of my favorites.

[Jee Leong]

Hi Liriel,

warm welcome to PFFA. I'm taking a break after writing my third sestina for the Apprentice Challenge on this board. I read your previous post which sent me to my Rilke.

Corpse-Washing

They had grown used to him. But when
the kitchen lamp came and burned restlessly
in the dark draft, the one no one knew
grew utterly unknown. They washed his neck,

and since they knew nothing of his fate,
they made up another one out of lies,
all the while washing. The first had to cough,
and put the heavy vinegar-soaked sponge

down on his face. Then there was a pause
while the other rested. From her hard brush
the drops kept falling; while his terrible
cramped hand tried to make the whole house see
that he no longer thirsted.

He got through to them. With a short cough,
as if embarrassed, they took up the task
more urgently, so that on the wallpaper
their hunched shadows writhed and twisted

in the muted patterns as though in a net,
until the washings came to an end.
The night in the curtainless window-frame
was pitiless. And one without names
lay there bare and clean and gave decrees.