Fall 2012, Volume 13

Poetry by Len Krisak

Dated Sonnet

Fifteen, she’d never had a lover’s quarrel
With the world. Doe–eyed and proper–prim;
Kissed softly still; still half a flower girl
And half a faithful, pearls–and–sweater steady.
How could the world have known that she was ready,
In 1963, to deal with him
When he dealt her his death by double–barrel?
Unseen Rebecca of a father, Earl
Would not come out. We held hands in the dim
Light of TV so low we could not hear.
No notice of his service would appear,
And never would I touch her soft brown bangs
Again. Why then these dilatory pangs
Today?  And 60, are you steel still, Carol?

 

 

 

 

BIO: Len Krisak's most recent book is Virgil's Eclogues (U. of Penn. Press). With work in the Antioch, Hudson, and Sewanee Reviews, he is the recipient of the Robert Penn Warren, Richard Wilbur, and Robert Frost Prizes, and is a four-time champion on Jeopardy!