The Writers Studio – Level 2b, Assignment #8?, December 1, 2008
Preamble: 3rd person to allow distance. Omniscient with restraint working against strong emotion. Describe character with telling details. Show multiple perspectives. Mood: sympathetic, Tone: descriptive. Persona narrator example is “The Mother” by Marie Howe.
Hero
His big silly ears were still the first things one notices.
Even after so many years,
part of his curse.
Most find Jesus after,
he found Him before, on a lesser charge.
She couldn’t have been more than 10.
He would have recognized her from the news photos,
had it not been so dark, when he came to save her.
After her final whimper poured into those ears.
And the final breaths of her heart spilled out onto his hands.
Always help your fellow man he said,
you will sow what you reap.
Grace skips a generation.
Deacons and members came and went.
No forgiveness without repentance they thumped.
His children, alone at school, lasted another year or two.
Longer than their mother and her curled upper lip.
And her new husband.
All everyone gone.
Forgiveness is free.
A set of paints. His cell’s walls.
Covered.
And covered again.
And one more time.
Paintings.
He sat, closed his eyes, wiggled his ears,
lifted his hand and made bold defiant strokes.
As he smiled.
Forgiveness is not always free. Good poetry here.