Thursday, February 9, 2017

My Beast, by Lorraine Mariner


"When I was a child I worried
that when I got my chance to love a beast
I would not be up to the task.
As he came in for the kiss I'd turn away
or gag on the mane in my mouth
and the fair-haired prince
and the dress that Beauty wore
on the last page in my Ladybird book
would be lost to me forever."

Here's the beginning of Lorraine Mariner's poem, "My Beast." You can read the whole thing here (and also listen to it being read aloud). I love this first section because I tended to have the same thought when I read fairy tales as a child-that I needed to pay attention because somehow I might be put in the same situation and need to use the fairy tales to figure out what I should do.
I also wasn't familiar with the illustrations from the Ladybird book she mentions, so I googled them and here are some of my favorites! 

Mariner goes on to discuss her disillusionment with her expectations of BATB, but then comes to terms with a balance of hope and realism. Many modern poets seem to have a very bleak view of fairy tales and happy endings so I appreciated the overall message. It's a very quick, easy read

11 comments:

  1. I just finished reading a great book, that made me think of your blog: "Uprooted" by Naomi Novik. Very beautiful shades of traditional fairy tales, and I definitely read some beauty and the beast themes into it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing! I'm not familiar with this author personally, although I do recall reading a review of it by Amy Elize: https://amyelize.com/2016/06/29/book-review-uprooted-by-naomi-novik-polish-fairy-tales-baba-yaga-and-romantic-consent/

      But it's gotten such great reviews, just from skimming on Amazon, I'll have to keep an eye out for it!

      Delete

  2. Wonderful Article, Thanks for Putting This Together! This Is Obviously One Great Post. BookMyEssay is providing assignment help worldwide From the Qualified Expert. To Get Authentic Dissertation Writing Help Service within deadlines, Hire their experts today for best deals!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Are you struggling ONLINE PHP ASSIGNMENT HELP and looking for reliable online assistance? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the world of online PHP assignment help and how it can alleviate your programming woes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced coder, we've got you covered. Let's dive in!

    Thanks For Reading This!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Wow, what an insightful article! I never thought about [the topic] from this perspective before. The author presents their points eloquently and backs them up with solid evidence. I appreciate how well-researched and thought-provoking this piece is. It's a must-read for anyone interested in [the topic]. Kudos to the writer for shedding light on such an important issue! Looking forward to more content like this in the future." Dismiss Order Of Protection New Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Wow, what an eye-opening read! This blog post really delves into the heart of the matter and sheds light on a topic that's often overlooked. The author's insightful analysis and well-researched points make for a compelling argument. I particularly appreciated the practical tips shared, which I can now apply in my own life. Kudos to the writer for their engaging style and the way they kept me hooked from start to finish. Looking forward to more thought-provoking content like this!"Abogado Defensor Violencia Doméstica Nueva Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm enjoying reading your essay. It gives me great pleasure to say that your post is quite informative. I never stop addressing it.Abogado Criminal del Condado Prince William


    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, amazing article! I’m really interested in stories and often get so engrossed that I end up missing my online exams. Because of this, I decided to use the Take My HESI Exam service, which turned out to be quite helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site

    ReplyDelete
  10. A student found themselves struggling to keep up with the constant pressure of academic life. Assignments were piling up, deadlines were fast approaching, and the weight of expectations felt painful. In search of a solution, they decided to seek help from a university assignment writing service at first, it felt like a step they hadn’t expected to take, but soon they realized that it wasn’t about avoiding the work—it was about managing it better. The service helped break down tasks, organize thoughts, and improve the quality of the assignments.

    ReplyDelete