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Home / home / Featured Poetry: “Toytown” by Grace Cavalieri

Oct 19 2018

Featured Poetry: "Toytown" by Grace Cavalieri

Legacy LogoThe name of Grace Cavalieri's legacy book, Other Voices, Other Lives, is not only a poetic turn, but a statement of intent. In her Legacy Book there are several sections in 3rd person omnipotent which aim to breathe the same air as famous women who have suffered adversity. Tragic figure Anna Nicole Smith, feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, Cora from William Carlos William's Kora in Hell. All in all they are an admix of Grace Cavalieri's poetic life, brought together in one beautiful volume; so, perhaps, we might figure that Anna Nicole Smith converses with Mary Wollstonecraft for the very first time in the pages of Other Voices, Other Lives. 

Today, from the Anna section we have the heart-rending "Toytown"

Event Update: Catch Grace Cavalieri at this years National Press Club Book Fair NOV, 2nd! #NPCBookFair

 

Toytown

At the edge of thought, a frozen pond melted.

The Guy in armor had taken it all off, and was

sitting on the floor sobbing.

Anna never saw such a thing. She should run...

tell him she was expected somewhere...or...

someone was waiting...she needed to be alone...

This strapping brute of a man had suddenly

become a minute creature, shaking with shame.

Anna knew she needed imagination for this one,

but trained otherwise from birth,

never had a chance.

She tried to look serious. She tried to look

dignified, but the naked man on the floor

reduced her to simplicity.

Could she name the problem?

Name her darkness?

The side of her sleeve was offered to his running nose.

Her field of vision blurred.

He told her this was his first day on the job

and he couldn't go through with it.

He was a PhD student working his way through anthropology.

She bent down and took his head and arms.

Now what would she do with her unused understanding.

There, under the bed, she saw her other satin slipper.

Somehow she knew it would fit.

Other Voices, Other Lives by Grace Cavalieri (cover)
Check out Other Voices, Other Lives

Grace's NPR show, The Poet and the poem

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Grace Cavalieri has been publishing poetry for over 50 years! But where did she start? And how? This article on the origins of Grace’s poetic career will asnwer just that question and more. This is part 1 of a weeklong series detailing Grace’s life and work as Poet Laureate of Maryland.

Grace Cavalieri Receives an ANNIE Award for Literary Arts

October 17, 2019

Grace Cavalieri was honored recently with an ANNIE award for her far reaching impact in the literary arts. This marks another achievement for the poet laureate who, at 87, shows no signs of slowing down.

Grace Cavalieri’s QUILTING THE SUN “Shines at Theater For The New City”

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Grace Cavalieri’s play “Quilting the Sun” opens in New York City to rave reviews.

Poetry and Jazz: Grace Cavalieri in concert with Trombonist, Cam Millar (Hagerstown)

May 14, 2019

on July 13th, Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri will be at the Flying Camel in Hagerstown accompanied by jazz trombonist, Cam Millar.   “Cam’s trombone playing includes work with the […]

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MD Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri, Reading at Evelyn’s Restaurant

May 11, 2019

Annapolis’ Evelyn’s Restaurant is hosting Grace Cavalieri as part of their “Evil Grin” poetry series.  

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MD Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri, Leads a Poetry Workshop at The Flying Camel

May 11, 2019

Maryland’s tenth poet laureate, the incomparable Grace Cavalieri, is to lead a poetry workshop at Hagerstown’s newest literary cafe and piano bar, The Flying Camel. For more info contact theflyingcamelcafe@gmail.com

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Grace Cavalieri among 13 Poets Laureate to Receive over $1 million in Grant Money

April 26, 2019

Big news for Maryland’s Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri. The American Academy of poets announced on Wednesday that an appropriation of $1,050,000 (made possible by the Andrew W. Mellon foundation) would be made available for thirteen of America’s most distinguished Poets Laureate including Grace herself…

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Craving More Grace? Check out the Poet Laureate on the NEA’s “Art Works”

April 3, 2019

Craving more Grace Cavalieri? Of course you are! Maryland’s newest Poet Laureate is active, about, and spreading the word; that is, her words. Even though Poet Laureate is largely an honorary position (it is unpaid, and one is “honored” more with a title than a job much like a knighthood or a medal of freedom), Grace Cavalieri seems determined to become the most active and community-focused Poet Laureate in Maryland’s history. Recently she was featured on Art Works the official podcast for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Grace with her Hands Cupped

Grace Cavalieri’s Interview on Midday with Tom Hall

April 1, 2019

Grace Cavalieri stopped by WYPR last week for an interview on “Midday” with Tom Hall. The Poet Laureate and author of ASP’s Other Voices, Other Lives, mused on her life and work, meditating on the loss of her late husband, and reading from her deep poetry catalog. This interview is well worth the 40 minutes it takes to impart the important wisdom of one of Maryland’s foremost sages.

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