Smells Like Her Kind

[heslopian]

There's something decidedly unpoetic
about Anne Sexton touching her kids.
Sometimes the Boston housewife seems
more akin to dead rock stars than Blake,
Shelley or Frost. Her nihilism, darkling faith,
how she relied on both to live,
the descent into sickness and death.
How teenagers who laud sadness,
and being thought outside the norm,
have claimed her like a grim Scout badge.

When I think of Sexton I don't think of Blake
poised at his desk for some painter,
I imagine Kurt Cobain doodling the lyrics to
a generation's get out clause.

[Todd]

I really like this Jack. The title is great. I have seen sexton be that grim scout badge you mention. I only have one issue. The beginning of L7 feels like it needs a the or a her added to read smoothly.

Enjoyed the read.

Best,

Todd

[heslopian]

Thanks Todd I'll add a "the" now.

[Aish]

There's something decidedly unpoetic
about Anne Sexton touching her kids.
Sometimes the Boston housewife seems
more akin to dead rock stars than Blake,
Shelley or Frost. Her nihilism, darkling faith, I like your use of 'darkling'. For some reason it conjured fingerling potatoes, and that tied in nicely with housewifery for me as well as all things nebulous and nihilistic.
how she relied on both to live,
the descent into sickness and death.
How teenagers who laud sadness,
and being thought outside the norm,
have claimed her like a grim Scout badge. Those teenagers who are so cliche in their desire to stand apart and hormonal angst. I adore the grim Scout Badge so much so I can see a Hot Topic knock off in my head.

When I think of Sexton I don't think of Blake
poised at his desk for some painter, I wonder if a semicolon would work here?
I imagine Kurt Cobain doodling the lyrics to
a generation's get out clause. Excellent ending, Jack.

[addy]

Another great piece, Jack. I find it intriguing that the piece can discuss personal tragedy and art fueled by that descent, yet avoid being overdramatic, and actually be insightful in its own right rather than just reactionary.

There's something decidedly unpoetic
about Anne Sexton touching her kids.
Sometimes the Boston housewife seems Just imo, I think you can ditch either "sometimes" or "seems"... having both sounds kind of tentative
more akin to dead rock stars than Blake,
Shelley or Frost. Her nihilism, darkling faith, I like "darkling"... there's something a little elegant and sweet about the word.
how she relied on both to live,
the descent into sickness and death.
How teenagers who laud sadness,
and being thought outside the norm,
have claimed her like a grim Scout badge. "grim" isn't strictly necessary, but i appreciate the descriptiveness.

When I think of Sexton I don't think of Blake
poised at his desk for some painter,
I imagine Kurt Cobain doodling the lyrics to "doodling" is a nice touch
a generation's get out clause.

[heslopian]

Thanks for your kind words and feedback Aish and Addy