BSG crackpoetry: "The Love Song of Samuel T. Anders"

[boom_queen]

My muse was flaky with me on this one. Several passages just flowed out perfectly, and others still aren't what I'd hoped. But I really love the last half--pretty much everything from line 75 on. The original takes a while to develop momentum too, so be patient with it

Comments

[indigo419]

*applauds* Impressive! There are hidden depths to our Samuel. :0P I love how Apollo is a refrain (a lovely echo of all this has happened before and will happen again) but also Sam's bittersweet sifting through his memories (For I have known them all already, known them all/Have known the Sixes, Sevens, Threes).

Crackpoetry is such fun!!

[boom_queen]

*curtsies* thank you!

And yes, who knew Sam had so much going on behind that pretty face ;) I'm glad you enjoying the crackpoetry too! It has been a total blast to work on.

[bitterlatinist]

Amazing, beautiful, and angsty!

Patient, faithful, and accommodating;
Full of high passion, but a bit obtuse;
At times, in love, almost ridiculous-
Almost, at times, the Fool.

Poor Sam. Beautifully written from his point of view. You really bring out the sadness at his realization that he's a cylon.

Well done!

[boom_queen]

Thank you! Yes, poor Sam the Fool: he's got a hard road ahead of him for season 4 I think. But he provides excellent fodder for the angsty goodness :)

[raincitygirl]

Oh man, this is so cool!

[boom_queen]

Thank you!

[wickedgillie]

sent here by wisteria_

The original poem is one I know inside and out, and I have to say, you totally pwnd this. Anders totally IS Prufrock. This was bloody brilliant. You made some fantastic artistic choices and still completely honoured Eliot's original. Frakkin' magnificent.

[boom_queen]

You made some fantastic artistic choices and still completely honoured Eliot's original

Yay! *happy dancing* That is the hardest thing about reworking a poem that you know and love so well (and I am a hardcore Eliot fan); it's hard to know when/where to change things to keep the feel of the original and yet flavor it with the new imagery/ideas. I'm so glad that worked for you!

And YES--Anders is Prufrock. I began writing the poem as a lark (because Sam is the only one with an initial in his name), but about halfway through I realized how much the identity crisis and hesitance to accept his life/self were perfect for him. It turned out better than I had hoped. And I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading and the lovely lovely feedback :)

[centaurea]

I really loved this--that's my favorite poem, and you've done it justice.

[They will say: “How his mind is leaving him!”]
My black shirt, her tags resting firmly on my chest,
My hair cut short and harsh, but asserted by my easy grin-
[They will say: “But how his leg and heart are broken!”]

I have seen the remnants of my broken marriage flicker,
And I have seen the other nuggets watch my bunk, and snicker, (85)
And in short, I was ashamed.

We have lingered in the chambers of the ship
As strangers beckoned by the subtle song's sound (130)
Till Cylon voices wake me, and I drown.

Loved these lines, and perfect tone at the end. Really, really well done. Congrats!

[boom_queen]

Thank you; that is lovely feedback, especially coming from an appreciator of the original poem.

I have seen the remnants of my broken marriage flicker,
And I have seen the other nuggets watch my bunk, and snicker,
And in short, I was ashamed

Those lines were some of the hardest to write (because I love the original Eternal Footman imagery so much), so the victory is all the more sweet. I'm really glad you enjoyed them too.