I haven’t yet watched the show to opine on it all but you had me at “I would watch Claire Danes read the phone book.” My So-Called-Life forever! I’ve met more than one writer who has Claire Danes’ name ready to go as their answer to the classic “Who would you want to play you in a movie?” question. There is something utterly writerly about her. Loved reading. Can’t wait to watch.
Though doesn't Em kind of represent a balance between the impassioned manic and the calm and composed? Even in this poem, you can see the back and forth between both elements going on at once...the desire of escape, the battlements of life...is lying her head "opon the word" a final act of escape or an act of grounding? Maybe poetry is the only place that allows both to co-exist.
I actually wanted to read this post so bad I went and watched all of Beast in Me so I could lol (I enjoyed the show! And I loved this analysis!)
That is SUCH HIGH PRAISE! Thank you, Alicia. I'm glad it got you to watch the show and, selfishly, read the article. Claire did it again!
I haven’t yet watched the show to opine on it all but you had me at “I would watch Claire Danes read the phone book.” My So-Called-Life forever! I’ve met more than one writer who has Claire Danes’ name ready to go as their answer to the classic “Who would you want to play you in a movie?” question. There is something utterly writerly about her. Loved reading. Can’t wait to watch.
She just captivates me and has since I was a child. My So-Called Life bewitched me. I still rewatch it! You might be interested to read my post on the poem featured in Episode 12 here: https://poppoetry.substack.com/p/the-poem-that-helped-jordan-catalano
Though doesn't Em kind of represent a balance between the impassioned manic and the calm and composed? Even in this poem, you can see the back and forth between both elements going on at once...the desire of escape, the battlements of life...is lying her head "opon the word" a final act of escape or an act of grounding? Maybe poetry is the only place that allows both to co-exist.