Years and years ago, I saw Lucille Clifton read her work in a little sunstruck chapel on a Sunday morning. I was in awe, and too shy to speak, when everyone rushed up afterwards. I wish I’d been brave enough to praise her in a thousand languages, but she’s gone now. So, what I can do — what we can do — is lift up her poetry (elegant, human, perfectly wry) forever.
This month, my poetry sisters and I used Clifton’s notes to clark kent as our inspiration. I used the prompt loosely, and rather than trying to actually imitate her voice or style (she’s inimitable, IMHO) I just took the form — the notes — which (bonus!) suit our overaching theme this year of being in conversation.
Mine are written to just a few of the many Elizabeths in the world, real or fictional. These aren’t notes of praise or anger so much as trying to know, to understand, to see what we share, if anything, beyond the nine letters of our name.
Notes to the Other Elizabeths
By Liz Garton Scanlon
Bennet
A name pressed plain with pride
but easily shortened, brightened,
made less conventional
and more delightful
which suited you, Lizzy,
taking turn after turn
around the garden,
more prickly poppy
than hedgerow
more opinion
than obedience
more desire
than decorum
that ought be dismissed,
with prejudice
Jennings Graham
A name so committed to justice
that you tied your bonnet tightly,
smoothed your skirts, settled
a book on your lap
and you stayed seated,
you resisted, asserted
your right to ride
you saved a seat for Rosa
you saved so many seats
Cady Stanton
A name with gravitas and authority,
a syllabic structure not to be ignored
you used it as resolute ramrod
and radical blast, determined
to push things through
and open things up,
to secure podium
and public square,
to swap bible
for ballot box
to speak for women
but just for women
just like you
Taylor
A name straight-spined
and headstrong,
centered on a saddle
(or at least that’s how it started)
then it was off to the races
your eyes, they said, your jewels
they said, your beauty, your promise
your great, great loves
everything they said
becoming, like your name,
inescapable
QEII
A name so regal
you bore it heavy
on your head
your whole life long,
it was with you always
in your handbag
in the pockets
of your smart tweed coat
trailing you
like a low-to-the-ground
rump-heavy dog
that’s the only part
of any of it
that made you laugh
QEII
They said you were second
but really, there were so many others
before and after you
Read more notes here:
Tricia
Laura
Sara
Tanita
Mary Lee
And Marcie Flinchum Atkins is graciously hosting Poetry Friday today!
***ALSO, HEY, would you like to write with us in April? It’s easy! We’re writing ekphrastic poems based on vintage photographs. Do with that what you may.***
OH, I think I might need a whole book of Elizabeth names! These are by turns, funny and poignant, and revealing. How much do we know of others that share our names, even family names? I have a little red glass cup with Elizabeth engraved on it that was Mike’s grandmother’s. I never knew her, but every day, her name greets me on that cup because I store my toothbrush there.
So many Elizabeths and so many wry observations. I love the Bennet poem, and the last lines of the Cady Stanton poem are so heavy with that “but.” Lovely, lovely poems.
Yes to a whole BOOK of Elizabeths! You share so much more than just letters in your name — you belong to this line of strong women in spirit.
Absolutely shrieking about Jennings Graham – she did indeed save a sea for Ms. Rosa and so few people know!!!
Can’t wait to see the Elizabeth Editions take off!
Names are so important! Each Elizabeth has added a unique spin and made it their own. Thank you!
These are marvelous Liz, I caught your post with my eye and had to come by… Thanks for introducing me to Elizabeth Jennings Graham, A powerful woman indeed. Your opening line, “A name pressed plain with pride” perfect for Lizzy Bennet. I think we need to bring Candy back some how and stand with us today. BTW my daughters middle name is Elizabeth, named after a favorite artist and professor I had. Thanks for sharing all and the note card is gorgeous too!
I love all of these different people. I’m a fan of Cady Stanton.
I have an Elizabeth in my life – one of my son’s little friends, though she goes by Libby. As someone with quite a common name historically (Jane), I feel like I could do this, too! Jane Goodall, Austen, Mansfield, Eyre, Fonda, Calamity…
Oh, Liz, these are wonderful. So many amazing Elizabeths. I’ll be sharing these with my Lizzy, my middle girl, my Pride and Prejudice fan.
Oh gosh –love all of these, but esp QEII and that “rump-heavy dog”!