Dean Atkinson, ee cummings, and my eyes open
When Seth decided to become an attorney, I cried. I never imagined being around people in suits. I didn’t even know how to think of it. I didn’t know what it was like to become a peer of people with money. I was shamefully poor-proud. My Daddy came home with work-boots on, and I liked it that way.
So when Law School began, and we started getting invitations to what I would call frou frou parties, I often freaked out. I dressed in ways that were unusual for me. I was young, should have worn the funky shoes.
Seth was loved. Very. And I had nothing to worry about, but I couldn’t see it, and there was one who sensed my discomfort always. He was the Dean of the Law School, and he knew I studied poetry. He cared for us as a couple, and he talked to me at parties.
One particularly nervous event for me, we all dressed in fine clothes. I felt like a 10 year old with a wine glass, then Dean Atkinson stood at the microphone, and he grabbed the podium, smiled, and said by heart:
That day I became myself around attorneys, and they all became people to me, too. I still think of that poem all the time and the one who first gave it to my ears.
- October 14, 2010
- 11 Comments
- 0
- Poetry
joann
October 14, 2010"Which is yes."
My favorite line.
Kelly Langner Sauer
October 14, 2010*grin*
love that. the whole story.
Angie
October 14, 2010I am a lurker on your blog, but I am coming out of lurkdom (is that even a word?) to say how much I can identify with all of your story. Whenever I had to attend events with my husband, I would have anxiety attacks in the car on the way there! And I love, love, LOVE that poem by Cummings. "Which is yes." (*happy sigh*)
So, anyway, "hi" and I love your blog and I'll try to comment more. :)
Craig
October 14, 2010lilting as a lullabye
brisk as the dawn
glad you have found your comfort
still not quite sure I belong
Amber
October 14, 2010Joann, I love the YES, too, and still also the " no of all nothing."
Kelly, you really are good to me.
Angie, thank you for delurking. It's good to know you get it.
Craig, stop rhyming I mean it!
Anybody want a peanut?
Thank you.
Elizabeth, what's funny is that when I read, I feel like I lose some of my accent. It's true. That stuff is thick on me.
Elizabeth @claritychaos
October 14, 20101. I love hearing the honey-drippin' drawl.
2. Super cute hair cut. You look great.
joann
October 14, 2010Are there rocks ahead?
Seth
October 14, 2010Lawyers have feelings too... we're people you know.
Jackie
October 15, 2010Very well read, I loved the drawl gave the poem so much more character than us Yankees.
Craig
October 16, 2010I really really really big puffy heart this poem. So really really really
thank you.
and to Seth - yes lawyers are people too - with feelings - we should treat them with care and mercy - they protect people
and to Jackie - Yankees too have feelings :)