Yay, the return of the much-feared “Priscilla the Poet”. We had to write Mill on the Floss-inspired Shakespearean sonnets, and my group close to write about Maggie’s encounter withe the gypsies. Apparently, the combination of successes with my LotR poem and the previous “Charade” I wrote for Emma gave the class the impression that I was actually talented at writing poetry (HA!). I probably made the situation worse when I asked Dr. Moreland if it had to be in iambic pentameter. Snide glances abound! Grr, iambic pentameter. Give me Anapest (–/) or Dactyl (/–) any day.

You probably won’t understand it unless you’ve had the misfortune of reading Mill on the Floss, but I’m posting it anyway. Bah. Collaborators: Shari Barnett, Elizabeth Block, and Emily Banta.

Maggie and the Gypsies

With family, she felt left out at home.

They called her “gypsy” when she cut her hair.

The longely outcasts, fated ‘er to roam,

She longed for love and people who would care.

Rejoicing in salvation, first it seemed

A life Bohemian, easy and free,

But then she found it wasn’t as she dreamed.

They lacked in manners, treacle, bread, and tea.

Pockets breached by fingers quick and nimble,

Her confidence soon waned and she grew wary.

She saw with frightened eyes the pilfered thimble,

Former friends now treacherous and scary.

Returning home with her adventure done,

Her dream of gypsies faded with the sun.