The Poet's Curse

Ernest Hemingway
Put a bullet though his head
To stop the beating
Of a heart that bled.

John Berryman
(Despite his lady's plea)
Jumped the bridge
Of an unforgiving sea.

Young Tom Chatterton
On parchment inscribed.
A prodigy of the Ages
Till arson he imbibed.

Dylan Thomas
Knew only whiskey and ink,
Penned all his sorrows,
Then died by the drink.

Frauline Karin Boye
Overdosed on pills.
A bottle of aspirin
More than pain kills.

Victoria Lucas
(or Sylvia Plath)
Stuck her head in the oven
While her kids took a bath.

Teasdale, Crane...
Others we'll never know
In life- a legend
Though misery and woe.

Brilliant minds
Masters of verse
Tragic victims
Of the poet's curse.

Trapped

Like the ceramic
In a s
        n
            o
                w  g l o b e
Shoes glued in place
Limbs locked
Painted smile
Never leaves her lips

Till you set me free
 
When you shattered my world

Annie Banks is currently a freshman at Mount St. Mary's College.She plans to pursue a degree in English and become a professor. In addition to her studies,reading the classics and writing for the college newspaper occupies most of her time. On campus, she is in the process of organizing a poetry society for aficionados of verse. Several of her other interests include painting and theatrical arts. This is her first experience submitting literature for publication.

Email: Annie Banks

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