Ophelia's Poetry Draft

Image Description: A scanned sheet of binder paper with a typewritten poem on it. Edits have been made in red pen. The poem reads: "Hamlet used to call me fair Ophelia// And I thought this was a compliment// this idea my lips could drip with flowers// were meant to drip with flowers// rosemaries for rememeberance[sic]// pansies for thought// but when I think of Hamlet and flowers// I think only of rue// not because it means grace// but because it means bitter regret". There are four total line edits. The first one points to the first use of Hamlet's name, and reads "can't decide if I should name names." The second draws a line between "rosemaries for rememberance// pansies for thoughts" and says "too similar?" The third points out the word "grace" and notes that maybe the phrase "herb of grace" should be used instead. The final one comes at the end of the poem and says "better/longer end?"

Oh Ophelia. Or should I say Phee? She started going by nicknames recently, trying to decide who she is now. I've been there. Phee came to visit me recently, since she's been out of the hospital for a little while now, and entrusted this draft of one of her poems to me. And yes, don't worry, I asked before posting. She was in the same program as Percy was, who you'll meet in a different post. I met them both, separately, in the hospital courtyard, and it turns out they knew each other. Small world.

#poetry #shakespeare