The Very Stuff: Poems on Color, Thread and the Habits of Women

Synopsis

From the book: 991 Every red haired woman in the world has worn this green. When the movies went to Ireland in 1952, a chorus line of lady leprechauns tricked out in 991 - satin caps and satin shorts and snappy satin vests- greeted Gene Kelly as he danced off the ship, and down the pier, and through the town, and over the hill, slick two-leaf clovers of green rumps blossoming behind. Blue-green, really, an August color in the shade, deep shade, a shade of the texture and the longing and the long afternoons in the Alabama of Kurt Weill. There is smoke in this green, smoke and romance, as Susan Hayward in a hoop skirt strolls the verandah impatient for her swain. So what we've got here is a movie green, the designer Edith Head swirling out a bolt of 991 - always in satin, only in satin- and draping it around Rita Hayworth, who is perfect, and smooth, like a woman made of peaches, peaches and cognac and vanilla ice cream. How can God make such beauty? How can God resist? The Whole Class When I consider the colors I have written poems for, I see a photo of a class of children in 1948. You can tell the leaders-those who are big, or well dressed, or not intimidated by the camera: the girl with the ribbon in her long blonde hair, the tall boy with the rakish smile, the pretty twins. If these children were the colors I have written poems for, I would say I know them well; I would say they do good work. Yes, I would say, I regard them as my stars. But I would also say I love the rest of the class, those whose features and abilities are not developed yet, the kids who tend to look like each other until you get to know them, until you hold their hands and take them for a walk. So, if you should ask me, "Which colors do you love?," I would have to say, "All." I would have to say, "Here are all my friends," as I take from the drawers of Grandmother's Italian chest the bags and boxes in which I keep my floss, then overturn them on the rug where the colors jumble together in the sun, humming with contentment- like jewels unearthed from Ali Baba's cave, like kids set free from school. ISBN: 1-88301046-0

Copyright:

1995

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

53 Pages

Publisher:

N/A

Date of Addition:

05/17/06

Copyrighted By:

Stephen Beal

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Poetry, Literature and Fiction

Submitted By:

Lena

Proofread By:

Lena

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.