Message to the World from My Father's Daughter

[sharonolds]

Hello, my name is Sharon. My father was an awful man, my mother a doormat; the world has gutted me like an escargot, and I can't find my new gloves. I enjoy long walks through Russia, sex without love, enjambment, awkward silences, and the films of Marilyn Monroe. Anne Sexton won't return my calls. Will you be my friend?

Comments

[annesexton]

Bitch, if you'd just take a valium and stop being so high strung. Don't worry, I don't want to "firk" your cherry, I just wanna have a Salem with you on my rock out back.

Now crawl to me on your knees, and we'll talk.

[sharonolds]

Damnit Anne, I'm not Linda, don't talk to me that way. I've been on my knees all night, and you're not here. You're just not here. I stand at foot level to the great poets of my time, I give them flowers, I write for them and for the world--

and you don't take me seriously, Anne. You don't.