"Lady Macbeth" by Charles Soubre‘Lady Macbeth’s Regret’ and Other Poetry by Susan Jarvis Bryant The Society October 22, 2021 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Shakespeare 44 Comments . Lady Macbeth’s Regret Soft hands that led her smitten lord to bedInflamed the flare and thrust of his desire.Cool hands that won his trust and soothed his dread,Now sting and burn in licks of Hades’ fire. Slick hands now drip with crimson viciousness And reek of wicked deeds that sliced at life. Their smooth allure and sleek perniciousness Had honed the blade of regicide’s sly knife. Sore hands are scrubbing skin, a manic taskTo scour out damned spot, that shaming stain. A drench of heady scent will never mask The stench of sin that twists the brain insane. She dwells within the dunnest smoke of hell, Where gore-flecked ghosts and guilt draw terror’s yell. Breathe “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” —Aeschylus She hugs his faded tee-shirt that is frayed from overwear. She lifts its softness to her tears to cool their scorch and flare. She sniffs the tang of sunscreen and she breathes the beachy heat;Her soles and toes are tickled by the tide that licks her feet. She tastes his brackish kiss on lips and smells the ocean air; The salty glee of sand and sea that clings to every prayer. __She breathes his warmth and care; ____He’s everywhere… ______Yes, she breathes his warmth and care. She gathers up the sweater that he did the gardening in, Inhales the bonfire smoke and chokes down mourning’s miss-you sting. Deep draughts of him submerge her in the realms of riven dreams Of loam and leaves, her laugh, his squeeze, their rake-and-heap routines—Gold rays and sips of coffee in the crisp and frosty breeze, Cold days that whisper winter in the shiver of the trees. __She breathes in bygone days ____In autumn’s blaze… ______Yes, she breathes in bygone days. She sinks into his pillow in a wreath of his sweet musk Beneath the sheet once tangled in a gasp of love and lust, Rapt within the presence of her oh-so-welcome ghost—The one who haunts her heavy heart; the one who knows her most. She breathes the loneliness of night beneath the bluest moon, Where wishes stud the galaxies; where slews of stars are strewn. __She knows they’re meeting soon ____Beyond the gloom… ______Yes, she knows they’re meeting soon. . . Susan Jarvis Bryant is from Kent, England. She is now an American citizen living on the coastal plains of Texas. Susan has poetry published in the UK webzine, Lighten Up On Line, The Daily Mail, and Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets). NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 44 Responses Joe Tessitore October 22, 2021 Holy cow, Susan – these are so, so good! Wow! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Joe, I’m thrilled to have a ‘holy cow’ and a wow’, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed them! Thank you! Reply Rohini October 22, 2021 Catches at the heart! Brilliant… desperately so. Thank you. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Thank you very much, Rohini. I’m glad to hear these poems resonated with you. Reply Cynthia Erlandson October 22, 2021 A great portrait of Lady Macbeth! Both poems are very poignant. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Thank you, Cynthia – much appreciated. Reply Damian Robin October 22, 2021 Both exceptional. Both from a woman’s insight. Neither could be spoken from a male view. Tender, deep, detailed and sensuous. Both acts that are the kick-off of the poems cannot be undone. One character fights against the consequence of active, conscious wrong. The other accepts the longing that broken attachment brings. It is accepted to say ‘masterful’ about a female poet’s work. As well as skillful, accomplished, and human. Susan Bright-Star. Of the many intricate delicacies to admire is the parallel of ” Gold rays … Cold days”. Another hallmark internal rhyme of Susan Jarvis Bryant, this time with bold antithesis. I am agog and aglow, you breathe life so. Thank you. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Damian, what a magnificent comment! I really appreciate your attention to the fine details of my poems. I am now changing my name to Susan Bright-Star and will strut like a puffed up prima donna preening my ego as I go. Mr. Robin, what have you done?! On a serious note, thank you very, very much! Reply Russel Winick October 22, 2021 Fabulous! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Cheers Russel! Reply Paul Freeman October 22, 2021 I found ‘Breathe’ particularly awesome and quite unique as my limited knowledge of poetry goes with its refrains / choruses. Most songs, I hear, start with the words written first, so I was wondering if it is, or can be, rendered to music. I enjoyed the concept of Lady MacBeth’s aftermath (residing southside) and the description of her hands which carries the poem along more profoundly after every quatrain. The ‘brain insane’ line ending jarred a bit to my ear sounding like a noun followed by an adjective construct, as in “tripping the ‘light fantastic’.” Maybe it’s a rhyme too far since ‘mind insane’ didn’t seem to jar – or maybe its my ear! The two versions of a woman’s suffering, so different as they are, is also very powerful. Thanks for the reads. And by the way, ‘The Tragedy of MacBeth’, a black-and-white renditioning featuring Denzil Washington and Frances McDormand will have a limited release around Christmas and looks pretty fabulous. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Paul, thank you for your in depth and interesting observations. I quite like the pairing of shaming stain/brain insane. I think it adds to the meaning of the poem and I quite like the musicality of the words. I’m going to go with my initial instinct on these, although, you do have a point. It may jar with others too – it’s a risk I’ll take. ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ sounds intriguing. I’ll definitely be checking it out. Thank you. Reply Joseph S. Salemi October 22, 2021 “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” is a sonnet that seems like a complex and intricate piece of wrought ironwork. The meter is as tight as a drum. The rhymes could not be more precise. The punctuation is restrained and perfect. The preponderance of monosyllabic words makes for an emphatic insistence that supports the subject. But most of all — the willingness to treat a touchy subject: a soul burning in HELL! And the savage tone, the atmosphere of blood and heat, and the raw harshness that are evoked by the almost military rigidity of language… this is a poem that oozes Hell and Damnation. No drippy sentimentalism, no whining, no plangent appeals, no Smiley-Face buttons. What else? It is based on a classic literary text, it makes unashamed use of several references to that text, it offers no apologies to the reader for what it says, and it is as harsh as a Marine drill sergeant. This is what I call a genuine fictive artifact! Susan, you get the Victoria Cross for this one. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Wow!! I’m almost speechless. I’m over the moon “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” is a “genuine fictive artifact” and will gladly and grinningly accept the Victoria Cross. Your analysis of my poem is magnificent – thank you! I fear I’m going to be unbearable to live with this weekend. Poor Mike! Reply Mike Bryant October 22, 2021 Joe S. Just wondering… when should we see the cross in the mailbox? Also, will a handsome cash reward come with it? Susan always says that poetry doesn’t pay. I’m hoping you’ll prove her wrong. Reply Joseph S. Salemi October 22, 2021 Susan’s right. Poetry doesn’t pay. Her V.C. is a fictive artifact. James Sale October 22, 2021 Macbeth is probably my favourite Shakespeare play and I have written at least 6 books on it (I am pleased to report that my York Notes Macbeth has sold 100,000s of copies in the UK: https://amzn.to/3E5GAB9 – another reason to like the play so much)! It can certainly be considered as one of, if not the greatest play, ever written. One aspect that heightens its power is that it is the most ‘Christian’ of S’s plays – the Christian understanding of damnation – of what it means to lose one’s soul – is everywhere evident. Thus, I have to say I really admire your Lady M poem – and like Breathe – you once again show your wonderful verbal dexterity and linguistic felicity. There is much to appreciate in your work and it gives me the idea that perhaps in 2022 we should do a Zoom reading based on poems in the SCP canon that are based on classic works. I’d certainly need to include this! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 James, I had no idea you’d written six books on Macbeth, and, as for those York Notes, congratulations on the huge success. I feel sure my son had a copy. This information, plus the fact that Macbeth is probably your favourite Shakespeare play, makes me glow with delight at your reaction to my efforts to portray such a complex character – my favourite of Shakespeare’s characters. Thank you very much! Doing a Zoom reading of poems in the SCP canon that are based on classic works is a great idea. It would be an honour to be included. Reply Brian Yapko October 22, 2021 Susan, I always know it will be a good day when I wake up and your poems in my in-box! And today does not disappoint. Both are exceptional and engaging for very different reasons. While I’ve never had much sympathy for Lady Macbeth, you really do a fantastic job of bringing her anguish and insanity to life. Your description of “crimson viciousness” and the wickedness that “sliced at life” are, ahem, bloody wonderful. And for you to use a sonnet form is especially delicious in this Shakespearian context. A truly entertaining and horrifying character portrait. But it is “Breathe” which captures my heart. This character portrait of a widow mourning her husband and being ever-reminded of him by the various scents she encounters is so vivid, sad and couched in reality that it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. The imagery is breathtaking and I’m impressed at how your near-rhymes work. I especially love the use of the triplet – itself a sort of pause to breathe. Is this your original form? And if there’s a story behind this poem I’d love to hear it. . Thank you for a particularly stunning read. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Brian, I always appreciate the time you take to read, digest, and then impart with your finds on every considered and detailed comment you give… not just on my poetry, on all the poems you comment on. Thank you! I’m glad you liked the character portrayal of Lady Macbeth. She has intrigued me since my first reading of the play as a schoolgirl. A Lady Macbeth has cropped up in many a British soap opera. In fact, my English teacher told me to look out for Shakespearean plots in soap operas… I did and saw many. I’m thrilled you enjoyed that “crimson viciousness” – it made me smile when I wrote it. As for “Breathe”, I wrote this a little while back. I think it was inspired by the form of a John Whitworth poem (I’m a huge fan of his work). I’ve tried to find the inspirational poem and had no success. I sometimes read a nonce form and tweak it a little for my purpose. I thought the form suited the subject matter. In the jobs I do (at a funeral home and a church) I encounter grief on a regular basis. I often hear the removal of a loved one’s clothing is most painful. I have tried to impart with that feeling in “Breathe”. I dug deep for this one and even shed a tear while I was writing it… I really did suffer for my art on this occasion. I’m sad to say that Covid has caused me to lose my sense of smell. On reading this poem again, I had no idea how important my olfactory system was to me… I want to smell the sea air, bacon, and bubble bath!! Once again, thank you very much, Brian. Reply Brian Yapko October 22, 2021 Susan, I’m so sorry Covid has done this to you! Praying for a full recovery — and soon. I hope you get to once again fully enjoy your sea air, bacon and bubble bath! Susan Jarvis Bryant October 29, 2021 Thank you, Brian. I am pleased to announce my sense of taste and smell are returning… slowly. A friend told me to inhale certain aromatherapy oils morning and night and it would assist the process. I was a little skeptical… but, it’s working. It also brings me joy to smell the very faint perfume of the oils. Let’s hope all the smells and tastes of Christmas greet my nose and tongue this year – the only gifts I crave. Jeff Eardley October 22, 2021 Susan, I hated Shakespeare at school until I saw a film of “The Scottish Play” and was converted. The last lines of your sonnet are just so perfect. I read “Breathe” whilst thinking of the widowers I have known and mentally switched the gender of the whole piece, and it works that way too, particularly the reference to gardening, which is more often done by ladies, (or should be) These are two quite wonderful pieces. We expect no less from our star poet. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Jeff, thank you very much for dropping by. I first saw “The Scottish Play” as a fourteen year old student. It was at the Old Vic and Timothy West was playing the part of he who shall not be named. As the drama closed, poor old Tim was carrying a bladder of blood that refused to burst. His dilemma was visible to a row of giggling schoolgirls (me included) who were sternly reprimanded by a lady of mature years who told us we had absolutely no appreciation for Shakespeare or the ailing actor. Sadly, it was true. My appreciation for Shakespeare kicked in when I was around thirty and has grown from then on and continues to do so. “Breathe” is a totally different view of the effects of death… and I’m so glad it works. As for the term “star poet” (I’m smiling broadly), in spite of my humour, I am always painfully aware that I am only as good as my last poem. Thanks again! Reply Margaret Coats October 22, 2021 Such a well-structured sonnet on Lady Macbeth’s hands and how they facilitated her descent into hell! Macbeth has always been my favorite Shakespeare play, but apparently due to the performance-curse, I’ve missed many productions, and never seen it, only read it dozens of times. You add to my imaginary picture of this highly important character. “Breathe” reminds me of some of the things I did after the sudden early death of my father. The little choruses are most effective pauses for breath in the rhythm of the whole poem. “Where slews of stars are strewn” is fabulous. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Margaret, thank you for your encouragement and your appreciation of my poems. I am sorry you’ve missed out on… I’m keeping mum. Please do not give up on your endeavors to book a seat! There’s a certain hypnotic and spellbinding atmosphere when watching The Scottish Play in a theatre. I love the picture Evan has chosen. I notice that light highlights the hands and goes perfectly with the words of my poem. I am sorry to hear of the sudden and early death of your father. It must have been painful. I’m glad my poem spoke to you… but hope it didn’t bring sorrow with it. The price we pay for the gift of love is harsh and high… but love is still the greatest gift. Thanks again, Margaret. Reply Margaret Coats October 22, 2021 Susan, it looks like you saw poor Timothy West experience the curse. Thanks for another instance among my many stories of it from both history and personal experience. My husband and I had booked four seats at the Stratford Globe months before taking our children for their favorite summer vacation ever. The Globe sent polite letters to tell patrons that Macbeth rehearsals were developing into a performance suited only for adults with strong stomachs. They offered to give us tickets for King Lear instead, and we took the exchange. It was a fine show, with theatrical real rain at the end. My son felt that freedom of expression meant putting up his umbrella, and some other theatre-goers agreed with him. But because we did not want to act like ugly Americans, the four of us watched the final scene from a doorway (no rain in the hall, of course). Small inconvenience! By the way, I just used “stars are strewn” in a sibylline sonnet. Thanks for the suggestion! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 23, 2021 Margaret, I love your Stratford Globe story and its wonderful to hear your children enjoyed the Shakespeare experience. Those unexpected downpours are so utterly British. I’m glad the shower didn’t turn into a King Lear style tempest! I’m thrilled to hear “stars are strewn” has found the perfect home in your sibylline sonnet, which sounds most intriguing. Peter Hartley October 22, 2021 Susan – As Jeff describes you above, I don’t think it is invidious to any of us that you be described as “our star poet”, because star poet you are, and these two offerings, like every other from your pen/keyboard, are sheer genius. I tried to pick out my favourite bits of assonance, internal rhyme, felicitous expression etc, but had to give up several lines into the first poem after discovering that every line was my favourite line. Next I tried, as a game, to pick out words at random from both poems to see if I could come out with more apposite, more appropriate, more pertinent words for the context in which you have used them. A vain task! Unusual and utterly idiosyncratic as your diction and vocabulary often (invariably) is (beachy heat, brackish kiss, where slews of stars are strewn), I failed miserably every time to come up with anything better. On the analogy of “out-Heroding Herod” you “out-Shakespeare Shakespeare” with your rendering of the wickedness and compunction of Lady Macbeth “smooth allure and sleek perniciousness,” “Sore hands are scrubbing skin”. Your poetry is delightful to read but sadly, I’m afraid, it is ineffably humbling for this reader. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Peter, your eloquent and effervescent comments always have me grinning until my cheeks hurt. You most certainly have a wondrous way with words to the point I am afraid your sparkling repartee may well outdo my poetic efforts… but, never stop. It’s comments like yours that have me striving to out-Shakespeare Shakespeare. When a poet of your calibre takes time to tell me they’ve enjoyed my work, I know I’ve done well. Peter Hartley, Master Sonneteer, thank you very much! Reply sally Cook October 22, 2021 Dear Susan — A fictive artifact indeed!! Your range is wide, and I tremendously admire your ability to create those graceful figural ballets which distinguish your works by the dozens from less inspired ones. You deserve every bit of praise you get, my friend… Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Dearest Sally, coming from you, that is high praise indeed and I am positively euphoric. I’m pinning the marvelous poetic compliment of “graceful figural ballets” to my feather boa and I’m gonna strut my diva stuff all weekend! Thank you very much, my inspirational friend! Reply Yael October 23, 2021 Susan, thank you for your poetry, it’s so enjoyable, as usual. Since I’m addicted to the natural high I get from art appreciation, I freely indulge in the mind associations which flood my brain spontaneously when I read poetry. The title “Breathe” immediately brought Pink Floyd’s famous song by the same title to mind, which is pleasurable enough for a poem on a sad topic. After reading it a few times over though and appreciating the rhythm and flow of it, I was much more reminded of the song All Her Favorite Fruit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=550XBYFK0NM from Camper Van Beethoven’s Key Lime Pie album, which I still love after all these years. I can hear their music reflected in your poem, and in my mind they go very well together, making good chemistry, thanks! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 23, 2021 I always appreciate your take on my poems, Yael, and these interesting and intriguing observations are wonderful. I’m always aware that readers often bring much of themselves to a poem and when you do, I always love to hear what your musical ear brings to the fore. I’ve listened to the performance (with special attention paid to the music) and I’m swept up in the idea of my words being sung. What an interesting group Camper Van Beethoven (great name!) is. As a poet, I couldn’t help but tune into the lyrics… what a journey they took me on… a wild and curious journey that has sent my brain in strange directions. Perhaps a poem may arise from “All Her Favorite Fruit”. Thank you very much for your inspirational comment… it’s much appreciated! Reply David Watt October 25, 2021 Both poems are first rate. However, “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” ranks as one of the most powerful poems I have seen. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 26, 2021 David, thank you very much for your encouraging comment. Your reaction to “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” has made my day… whenever, an admirable poet is moved by my work, it thrills me and spurs me on! Thank you! Reply C.B. Anderson October 27, 2021 “Breathe” reminds me in some strange way of this similarly great song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWRGZaHb8xE Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 27, 2021 C.B., this is one of my favorite songs, and although I didn’t write with the song in mind, I can see that it might have risen from my heart and imbedded itself in the words. C.B., your taste in music rocks! WARNING – if you choose to listen, have a box of tissues at the ready (the voice of Alison Krauss touches the soul). I work at a funeral home and have to keep emotions under control… so I don’t give this advice lightly. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 27, 2021 C.B., if you are comparing my poem to this song… it’s the greatest compliment you can give me! If you’re not – don’t tell me… I’m a little down at the moment. Reply C.B. Anderson October 28, 2021 Your poem reminded me of this song, Susan. That is what I wrote, and that is what I meant. Thus it is undeniable that a comparison has been made. In contrast to the song, however, your poem comes off more wistful and less tragic. Dave Whippman October 28, 2021 “Breathe” will resonate with anyone who has suffered bereavement. Well written indeed. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 29, 2021 Thank you very much, Dave. Reply Sam Jarvis October 29, 2021 Super proud of you mum. That talent deserves a bigger stage Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 29, 2021 Samuel, your mum is basking in the warmth of your wonderful words. You have made my weekend! Thank you, my lovely! x Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Joe, I’m thrilled to have a ‘holy cow’ and a wow’, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed them! Thank you! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Thank you very much, Rohini. I’m glad to hear these poems resonated with you. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson October 22, 2021 A great portrait of Lady Macbeth! Both poems are very poignant. Reply
Damian Robin October 22, 2021 Both exceptional. Both from a woman’s insight. Neither could be spoken from a male view. Tender, deep, detailed and sensuous. Both acts that are the kick-off of the poems cannot be undone. One character fights against the consequence of active, conscious wrong. The other accepts the longing that broken attachment brings. It is accepted to say ‘masterful’ about a female poet’s work. As well as skillful, accomplished, and human. Susan Bright-Star. Of the many intricate delicacies to admire is the parallel of ” Gold rays … Cold days”. Another hallmark internal rhyme of Susan Jarvis Bryant, this time with bold antithesis. I am agog and aglow, you breathe life so. Thank you. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Damian, what a magnificent comment! I really appreciate your attention to the fine details of my poems. I am now changing my name to Susan Bright-Star and will strut like a puffed up prima donna preening my ego as I go. Mr. Robin, what have you done?! On a serious note, thank you very, very much! Reply
Paul Freeman October 22, 2021 I found ‘Breathe’ particularly awesome and quite unique as my limited knowledge of poetry goes with its refrains / choruses. Most songs, I hear, start with the words written first, so I was wondering if it is, or can be, rendered to music. I enjoyed the concept of Lady MacBeth’s aftermath (residing southside) and the description of her hands which carries the poem along more profoundly after every quatrain. The ‘brain insane’ line ending jarred a bit to my ear sounding like a noun followed by an adjective construct, as in “tripping the ‘light fantastic’.” Maybe it’s a rhyme too far since ‘mind insane’ didn’t seem to jar – or maybe its my ear! The two versions of a woman’s suffering, so different as they are, is also very powerful. Thanks for the reads. And by the way, ‘The Tragedy of MacBeth’, a black-and-white renditioning featuring Denzil Washington and Frances McDormand will have a limited release around Christmas and looks pretty fabulous. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Paul, thank you for your in depth and interesting observations. I quite like the pairing of shaming stain/brain insane. I think it adds to the meaning of the poem and I quite like the musicality of the words. I’m going to go with my initial instinct on these, although, you do have a point. It may jar with others too – it’s a risk I’ll take. ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ sounds intriguing. I’ll definitely be checking it out. Thank you. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi October 22, 2021 “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” is a sonnet that seems like a complex and intricate piece of wrought ironwork. The meter is as tight as a drum. The rhymes could not be more precise. The punctuation is restrained and perfect. The preponderance of monosyllabic words makes for an emphatic insistence that supports the subject. But most of all — the willingness to treat a touchy subject: a soul burning in HELL! And the savage tone, the atmosphere of blood and heat, and the raw harshness that are evoked by the almost military rigidity of language… this is a poem that oozes Hell and Damnation. No drippy sentimentalism, no whining, no plangent appeals, no Smiley-Face buttons. What else? It is based on a classic literary text, it makes unashamed use of several references to that text, it offers no apologies to the reader for what it says, and it is as harsh as a Marine drill sergeant. This is what I call a genuine fictive artifact! Susan, you get the Victoria Cross for this one. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Wow!! I’m almost speechless. I’m over the moon “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” is a “genuine fictive artifact” and will gladly and grinningly accept the Victoria Cross. Your analysis of my poem is magnificent – thank you! I fear I’m going to be unbearable to live with this weekend. Poor Mike! Reply
Mike Bryant October 22, 2021 Joe S. Just wondering… when should we see the cross in the mailbox? Also, will a handsome cash reward come with it? Susan always says that poetry doesn’t pay. I’m hoping you’ll prove her wrong. Reply
James Sale October 22, 2021 Macbeth is probably my favourite Shakespeare play and I have written at least 6 books on it (I am pleased to report that my York Notes Macbeth has sold 100,000s of copies in the UK: https://amzn.to/3E5GAB9 – another reason to like the play so much)! It can certainly be considered as one of, if not the greatest play, ever written. One aspect that heightens its power is that it is the most ‘Christian’ of S’s plays – the Christian understanding of damnation – of what it means to lose one’s soul – is everywhere evident. Thus, I have to say I really admire your Lady M poem – and like Breathe – you once again show your wonderful verbal dexterity and linguistic felicity. There is much to appreciate in your work and it gives me the idea that perhaps in 2022 we should do a Zoom reading based on poems in the SCP canon that are based on classic works. I’d certainly need to include this! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 James, I had no idea you’d written six books on Macbeth, and, as for those York Notes, congratulations on the huge success. I feel sure my son had a copy. This information, plus the fact that Macbeth is probably your favourite Shakespeare play, makes me glow with delight at your reaction to my efforts to portray such a complex character – my favourite of Shakespeare’s characters. Thank you very much! Doing a Zoom reading of poems in the SCP canon that are based on classic works is a great idea. It would be an honour to be included. Reply
Brian Yapko October 22, 2021 Susan, I always know it will be a good day when I wake up and your poems in my in-box! And today does not disappoint. Both are exceptional and engaging for very different reasons. While I’ve never had much sympathy for Lady Macbeth, you really do a fantastic job of bringing her anguish and insanity to life. Your description of “crimson viciousness” and the wickedness that “sliced at life” are, ahem, bloody wonderful. And for you to use a sonnet form is especially delicious in this Shakespearian context. A truly entertaining and horrifying character portrait. But it is “Breathe” which captures my heart. This character portrait of a widow mourning her husband and being ever-reminded of him by the various scents she encounters is so vivid, sad and couched in reality that it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. The imagery is breathtaking and I’m impressed at how your near-rhymes work. I especially love the use of the triplet – itself a sort of pause to breathe. Is this your original form? And if there’s a story behind this poem I’d love to hear it. . Thank you for a particularly stunning read. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Brian, I always appreciate the time you take to read, digest, and then impart with your finds on every considered and detailed comment you give… not just on my poetry, on all the poems you comment on. Thank you! I’m glad you liked the character portrayal of Lady Macbeth. She has intrigued me since my first reading of the play as a schoolgirl. A Lady Macbeth has cropped up in many a British soap opera. In fact, my English teacher told me to look out for Shakespearean plots in soap operas… I did and saw many. I’m thrilled you enjoyed that “crimson viciousness” – it made me smile when I wrote it. As for “Breathe”, I wrote this a little while back. I think it was inspired by the form of a John Whitworth poem (I’m a huge fan of his work). I’ve tried to find the inspirational poem and had no success. I sometimes read a nonce form and tweak it a little for my purpose. I thought the form suited the subject matter. In the jobs I do (at a funeral home and a church) I encounter grief on a regular basis. I often hear the removal of a loved one’s clothing is most painful. I have tried to impart with that feeling in “Breathe”. I dug deep for this one and even shed a tear while I was writing it… I really did suffer for my art on this occasion. I’m sad to say that Covid has caused me to lose my sense of smell. On reading this poem again, I had no idea how important my olfactory system was to me… I want to smell the sea air, bacon, and bubble bath!! Once again, thank you very much, Brian. Reply
Brian Yapko October 22, 2021 Susan, I’m so sorry Covid has done this to you! Praying for a full recovery — and soon. I hope you get to once again fully enjoy your sea air, bacon and bubble bath!
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 29, 2021 Thank you, Brian. I am pleased to announce my sense of taste and smell are returning… slowly. A friend told me to inhale certain aromatherapy oils morning and night and it would assist the process. I was a little skeptical… but, it’s working. It also brings me joy to smell the very faint perfume of the oils. Let’s hope all the smells and tastes of Christmas greet my nose and tongue this year – the only gifts I crave.
Jeff Eardley October 22, 2021 Susan, I hated Shakespeare at school until I saw a film of “The Scottish Play” and was converted. The last lines of your sonnet are just so perfect. I read “Breathe” whilst thinking of the widowers I have known and mentally switched the gender of the whole piece, and it works that way too, particularly the reference to gardening, which is more often done by ladies, (or should be) These are two quite wonderful pieces. We expect no less from our star poet. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Jeff, thank you very much for dropping by. I first saw “The Scottish Play” as a fourteen year old student. It was at the Old Vic and Timothy West was playing the part of he who shall not be named. As the drama closed, poor old Tim was carrying a bladder of blood that refused to burst. His dilemma was visible to a row of giggling schoolgirls (me included) who were sternly reprimanded by a lady of mature years who told us we had absolutely no appreciation for Shakespeare or the ailing actor. Sadly, it was true. My appreciation for Shakespeare kicked in when I was around thirty and has grown from then on and continues to do so. “Breathe” is a totally different view of the effects of death… and I’m so glad it works. As for the term “star poet” (I’m smiling broadly), in spite of my humour, I am always painfully aware that I am only as good as my last poem. Thanks again! Reply
Margaret Coats October 22, 2021 Such a well-structured sonnet on Lady Macbeth’s hands and how they facilitated her descent into hell! Macbeth has always been my favorite Shakespeare play, but apparently due to the performance-curse, I’ve missed many productions, and never seen it, only read it dozens of times. You add to my imaginary picture of this highly important character. “Breathe” reminds me of some of the things I did after the sudden early death of my father. The little choruses are most effective pauses for breath in the rhythm of the whole poem. “Where slews of stars are strewn” is fabulous. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Margaret, thank you for your encouragement and your appreciation of my poems. I am sorry you’ve missed out on… I’m keeping mum. Please do not give up on your endeavors to book a seat! There’s a certain hypnotic and spellbinding atmosphere when watching The Scottish Play in a theatre. I love the picture Evan has chosen. I notice that light highlights the hands and goes perfectly with the words of my poem. I am sorry to hear of the sudden and early death of your father. It must have been painful. I’m glad my poem spoke to you… but hope it didn’t bring sorrow with it. The price we pay for the gift of love is harsh and high… but love is still the greatest gift. Thanks again, Margaret. Reply
Margaret Coats October 22, 2021 Susan, it looks like you saw poor Timothy West experience the curse. Thanks for another instance among my many stories of it from both history and personal experience. My husband and I had booked four seats at the Stratford Globe months before taking our children for their favorite summer vacation ever. The Globe sent polite letters to tell patrons that Macbeth rehearsals were developing into a performance suited only for adults with strong stomachs. They offered to give us tickets for King Lear instead, and we took the exchange. It was a fine show, with theatrical real rain at the end. My son felt that freedom of expression meant putting up his umbrella, and some other theatre-goers agreed with him. But because we did not want to act like ugly Americans, the four of us watched the final scene from a doorway (no rain in the hall, of course). Small inconvenience! By the way, I just used “stars are strewn” in a sibylline sonnet. Thanks for the suggestion! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 23, 2021 Margaret, I love your Stratford Globe story and its wonderful to hear your children enjoyed the Shakespeare experience. Those unexpected downpours are so utterly British. I’m glad the shower didn’t turn into a King Lear style tempest! I’m thrilled to hear “stars are strewn” has found the perfect home in your sibylline sonnet, which sounds most intriguing.
Peter Hartley October 22, 2021 Susan – As Jeff describes you above, I don’t think it is invidious to any of us that you be described as “our star poet”, because star poet you are, and these two offerings, like every other from your pen/keyboard, are sheer genius. I tried to pick out my favourite bits of assonance, internal rhyme, felicitous expression etc, but had to give up several lines into the first poem after discovering that every line was my favourite line. Next I tried, as a game, to pick out words at random from both poems to see if I could come out with more apposite, more appropriate, more pertinent words for the context in which you have used them. A vain task! Unusual and utterly idiosyncratic as your diction and vocabulary often (invariably) is (beachy heat, brackish kiss, where slews of stars are strewn), I failed miserably every time to come up with anything better. On the analogy of “out-Heroding Herod” you “out-Shakespeare Shakespeare” with your rendering of the wickedness and compunction of Lady Macbeth “smooth allure and sleek perniciousness,” “Sore hands are scrubbing skin”. Your poetry is delightful to read but sadly, I’m afraid, it is ineffably humbling for this reader. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Peter, your eloquent and effervescent comments always have me grinning until my cheeks hurt. You most certainly have a wondrous way with words to the point I am afraid your sparkling repartee may well outdo my poetic efforts… but, never stop. It’s comments like yours that have me striving to out-Shakespeare Shakespeare. When a poet of your calibre takes time to tell me they’ve enjoyed my work, I know I’ve done well. Peter Hartley, Master Sonneteer, thank you very much! Reply
sally Cook October 22, 2021 Dear Susan — A fictive artifact indeed!! Your range is wide, and I tremendously admire your ability to create those graceful figural ballets which distinguish your works by the dozens from less inspired ones. You deserve every bit of praise you get, my friend… Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 22, 2021 Dearest Sally, coming from you, that is high praise indeed and I am positively euphoric. I’m pinning the marvelous poetic compliment of “graceful figural ballets” to my feather boa and I’m gonna strut my diva stuff all weekend! Thank you very much, my inspirational friend! Reply
Yael October 23, 2021 Susan, thank you for your poetry, it’s so enjoyable, as usual. Since I’m addicted to the natural high I get from art appreciation, I freely indulge in the mind associations which flood my brain spontaneously when I read poetry. The title “Breathe” immediately brought Pink Floyd’s famous song by the same title to mind, which is pleasurable enough for a poem on a sad topic. After reading it a few times over though and appreciating the rhythm and flow of it, I was much more reminded of the song All Her Favorite Fruit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=550XBYFK0NM from Camper Van Beethoven’s Key Lime Pie album, which I still love after all these years. I can hear their music reflected in your poem, and in my mind they go very well together, making good chemistry, thanks! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 23, 2021 I always appreciate your take on my poems, Yael, and these interesting and intriguing observations are wonderful. I’m always aware that readers often bring much of themselves to a poem and when you do, I always love to hear what your musical ear brings to the fore. I’ve listened to the performance (with special attention paid to the music) and I’m swept up in the idea of my words being sung. What an interesting group Camper Van Beethoven (great name!) is. As a poet, I couldn’t help but tune into the lyrics… what a journey they took me on… a wild and curious journey that has sent my brain in strange directions. Perhaps a poem may arise from “All Her Favorite Fruit”. Thank you very much for your inspirational comment… it’s much appreciated! Reply
David Watt October 25, 2021 Both poems are first rate. However, “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” ranks as one of the most powerful poems I have seen. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 26, 2021 David, thank you very much for your encouraging comment. Your reaction to “Lady Macbeth’s Regret” has made my day… whenever, an admirable poet is moved by my work, it thrills me and spurs me on! Thank you! Reply
C.B. Anderson October 27, 2021 “Breathe” reminds me in some strange way of this similarly great song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWRGZaHb8xE Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 27, 2021 C.B., this is one of my favorite songs, and although I didn’t write with the song in mind, I can see that it might have risen from my heart and imbedded itself in the words. C.B., your taste in music rocks! WARNING – if you choose to listen, have a box of tissues at the ready (the voice of Alison Krauss touches the soul). I work at a funeral home and have to keep emotions under control… so I don’t give this advice lightly. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 27, 2021 C.B., if you are comparing my poem to this song… it’s the greatest compliment you can give me! If you’re not – don’t tell me… I’m a little down at the moment. Reply
C.B. Anderson October 28, 2021 Your poem reminded me of this song, Susan. That is what I wrote, and that is what I meant. Thus it is undeniable that a comparison has been made. In contrast to the song, however, your poem comes off more wistful and less tragic.
Dave Whippman October 28, 2021 “Breathe” will resonate with anyone who has suffered bereavement. Well written indeed. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 29, 2021 Samuel, your mum is basking in the warmth of your wonderful words. You have made my weekend! Thank you, my lovely! x Reply
