I was
surprised that there weren’t more poems this month, since I assume virtually
everyone has a favorite book, or a book they hated and would be happy to
complain about. A book they listened to in the car, or one a parent read to
them or that they read to their children. A non-fiction book, a novel or a book
of poetry that changed their life in some way. An unforgettable collection of
words on the page. What would we do without books?
The
poem jointly selected by me and co-judge Linda Wallin, former President of
Poets & Patrons of Chicago, is a well-crafted Shakespearean sonnet based on
the gothic novel, Rebecca, by Daphne
du Maurier.
Mrs. Danvers Introduces You to
Rebecca
They saw her as the
quintessential wife:
the beauty and the charm at every
ball.
They blindly worshipped
graciousness so rife,
but No one knew that she
despised them all.
She still exists, Rebecca,
in our lives,
pretending passion, putting on
the act.
She has the words to make you
think she strives
and not just imitates the soul of
tact.
Repeating praise of charity, she
coos,
but your mistakes she never will
forget.
Whenever need demands, they’re
here to use.
Her care for you may be a secret
threat.
She is above you all; she has her
rights.
Behave yourself. She can repay
your slights.
—Julia Rice
First published in Sometimes a Scrap and a Star 2018. Julia
Rice retains rights to this poem.
Bio: Julia
Rice has published her first book, Sometimes a Scrap and a Star, proving
to herself that naming herself a poet in her advanced years is not just a
metaphor. She has had work published in WFOP Museletters and Wisconsin Poets Calendars, Songs
of St. Francis, Echolocations: Poets Map Madison, Goose River Anthology,
Alive Now, Soundings Review, Stoneboat, The Ariel Anthology, and
on the Internet in Wilda Morris’ Poetry Challenge and Blue Heron.
Look for her life-summary poem in Unruly Catholic Nuns.
Come back early in June for the next Poetry Challenge.
© Wilda Morris
