Not That I Care (Sonnet for Sara)
Failed relationships often intrigue me,
None more so than Sara Trevor Teasdale;
Lack of success not all it seems to be;
Slide is always dependent, on the scale.
It seemed she had it all, with The Lindsay;
Courtesan and a bad boy, he enthralled;
At each turn, both went a separate way;
Mutual sabotage result: they stalled.
Delving deeper, it is her side I choose.
She clung to peace as, opposed to his war.
Don't pick a fight you are destined to lose,
Don't choose a lunatic as a mentor.
Just my personal thoughts, from here to there;
Random observations... not that I care.
Michael Todd (2013)
Smiles, Wonderful Myke~
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Drew. A few years back, a friend of mine, named Sheri, gave me a gentle nudge toward classic poetry, and it was there I discovered Sara Teasdale. She had a way with sonnets. I love sonnets. The poem Sheri showed me was "I Shall Not Care." ... When I read a little about her life and times, and her failed relationships, I have to admit, it was frustrating. Recently, I revisited that and concluded, my initial observations were out of line. I felt, this week, I had a better grasp for what was, was not and could never be.
DeleteOh, and not to be overlooked... Nice FRISTING !!!
I sense some deep back story in this Sonnet... A sadness, that perhaps opportunities lost, at too much cost. A lovely piece... -David II
ReplyDeleteThere is a series of back stories, David. The saga of Sara Teasdale and Vachel Lindsay have been documented and expounded upon for decades. They had, what I assumed, a stellar romance within their grasp, but just never made it click... Both committed suicide, within a couple of years of each other. Many have romanticized the notions that their mutual demise was as intense a deal as even that of Romeo and Juliet... Now, after looking at things from another angle, I don't think that was the case at all.
DeleteI'm very intrigued by this, I had no previous knowledge of those women. As always, your observations are truly unique and memorable!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Anna Eusthacia... I truly appreciate you visiting. When you grace my page, nothing but good things are happening for me.
DeleteUmmmm... who? *studies comments*
ReplyDeleteSome good insights about war, losing & lunacy though, Sir Myke... :o)
Hello, Sir Ruggi... Sara Teasdale was a big time success as a writer. However, her life had its ups and downs.
DeleteIndeed! I have picked so many mentors that are a mess .. I wont admit to them all.. Peace is much preferred.. (although I seem to have missed at that too in the past.. lol.. still trying to figure that one out) a wonderful sonnet and a lovely new "spot"!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you, regarding the mentors. There have been times I knew I had taken the wrong fork in the road, but I was stubborn, and pressed on. I became a more than adequate apologist of what could only be called a series of inequities. But, I survived those... well, most of them.
DeleteThanks for the visit, Katherine.
well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Barbara. :)
DeleteThis one is very interesting, dear Myke Hammer.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Alba Leigh.
DeleteVery beautiful, Mike <3 Such a lovely tribute to Sara! If I had received your text I would have definitely texted you back. My service seems to be hit or miss with Verizon :( Sara is very dear to me as well as Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Two of my very favorite poets that are so very different and yet so similar. You should try Ella's 'Ad Finum', my all time favorite poem. You just might like it. Thank you for sharing this with me. Sara would be so honored. I hope to visit her grave in St. Louis soon. It is only a few hours from her so hopefully
ReplyDeleteHello, Sheri... So glad you found your way here, as this poem would never have happened, if not for you and your encouragement... I will make a point to read the Wilcox piece you recommend here. Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend upcoming.
DeleteRelationships can be train wrecks. The observer sometimes has nothing to do but stand and witness the collision. Wait: I should be careful what I say. I'm on a train now! *gulp *
ReplyDeleteNice one, Sir Myke! :) -slj
You should never be careful what you say, Stephen... maybe how you say it, though... haha
DeleteThanks for the visitation, Brother.
I like your nice lil' hub here, Myke...sorry my first visit is long overdue but I always get there...no matter when ;)...this poem made me thoughtful -which is a good thing- don't take things at face value...we all have to learn that lesson and sometimes the hard way. It takes time to know what lies beneath sometimes and it isn't always a pretty picture despite the outer appearance...and to surround oneself with positive people is one of the best things a person can do! :D ((Mojito))
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, in total, with your assessment here, Missy. However, there are rare occasions when first impressions prove to be accurate. Such was the case with you, who bowled me over from day one, and have continued to do so, as time has moved on... Thanks so much for taking time to visit my humble abode.
DeleteThis was very interesting and leaves me wanting to know more of the story. Sara and the bad boy. I will have to do some googling. Thank you Myke for sharing your take on the tale.
ReplyDeleteGoogling is a good thing, Laura. That is how I went about researching for this poem. I have heard since, there have been books written about this liaison.
DeleteMyke... I made it !!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what to think at first, as I knew nothing about the background story.
Reading your comments was enlightening.
I have to admit, it helped me to understand this much better.
Tormented souls like Sarah, seem to write highly charged and emotive poetry I guess.
Great rhyming as usual. I don't think my comment does your poem justice,
XX
I don't know so much if she was tormented, or just played a persona well, Teresa... either way, she made the most of her opportunities, in the writing arena. She was wildly successful, commercially. Her poetry was featured in publications, and her poetry books were successful as far as critical acclaim, and more importantly, in sales... For my money, the girl was tantamount to a rock star.
DeleteYou must read a lot of biographies to get such items for your sonnets. Interesting story, this...and probably my only foray into reading a biography. I'll let you translate them for me...much more interesting this way!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a measure of accompanying research, from time to time, Sandra. In this case, it was equally intriguing and frustrating.
DeleteAnother good one! Loved the line:
ReplyDelete"She clung to peace as, opposed to his war."
Excellent parallels and it really paints the picture :)
Glad you caught that line, Joleene. It was impossible to place that comma in the line when I was reading this aloud, but in print, it is what is, and is not what is not.
DeleteThanks bunches for coming by.