On a week that is all about accessible poetry and sound and rhythm, we MUST talk of goddess Dorothy P.
Remembered as a witty acid woman, Dorothy Parker's poetry is often looked down on because of its "nursery rhyme quality". I've heard her described as a "tough sell" for our cynical postmodern audience, but it is precisely the snappy rhythm that highlights the bitter ironic quality of her work. So, let's take a moment to appreciate one of my favorite poems of all time (and one I can recite from memory) Coda, the last poem of her second collection Sunset Guns:
Chuckled? Thought "Gosh, same"? Check more of her out! Her poetry is so accessible and not about obscure imagery or metaphors but rather all about sound and ironic everyday situations, it's really quick and fun to read. I recommend her collection Enough Rope, and, if you really adore her, The Portable Dorothy Parker is an amazing sampler of her short stories, letters, poetry, and criticism all in one beautiful volume:
I haven't read as much of her short fiction as I'd like, but I really recommend "The Lovely Leave" to get a sense of how she can convey nuanced heartbreaking situations within a very low word-count.
Don't let the failed suicide attempts fool you, Dorothy Parker was a magnificent and truly talented woman and deserves a literary renaissance /ei es ei pi/.
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