Poet Republik-Alice Notley
Alice Notley may resist categorization, but she has done more for women’s poetics than possibly any other poet alive. If you don’t believe me, please read, The Descent of Alette. Who is a woman who has inspired you?
THAT I MAY LIVE
I step across and can no longer make myself understood.
Listen to Torna a Sorrento concentratedly
I don’t understand Italian I understand the song.
I’m here. You can’t return because
a former life is not available; they read dis-
sertations there now. The clean glass of sparkling
water is for my mother.
Who will I write
for, alive? Into the air of you. This sadness,
rather than gotten rid of, is become another;
a quality both thicker and lighter
You still don’t understand that you too must
change; you value phantoms: I’m talking
to you — but my phantoms are real. You all
value material comfort over knowing a thing–
who is speaking?
I have none; the counterclock stops; though
it’s late where you are.
Alice Notley is the author of over twenty-five books of poetry, including 165 Meeting House Lane (1971), Phoebe Light (1973), Incidentals in the Day World (1973), For Frank O’Hara’s Birthday (1976), Alice Ordered Me to Be Made: Poems 1975 (1976), Dr. Williams’ Heiresses (1980), How Spring Comes (1981), which received the San Francisco Poetry Award, Waltzing Matilda (1981), Margaret & Dusty (1985), From a Work in Progress (1988), Homer’s Art (1990), To Say You (1993), Selected Poems of Alice Notley (1993), The Descent of Alette (1996), among many others. Mysteries of Small Houses (1998) won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and her collection Disobedience (2001) was awarded the Griffin International Poetry Prize. Notley’s recent work includes From the Beginning (2004), Alma, or the Dead Women (2006), Grave of Light: New and Selected Poems 1970-2005), which received the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, In the Pines (2007), Culture of One (2011), and Songs and Stories of the Ghouls (2011).
Poem used with permission.
originally published in Ping-Pong 2014
Grace Hopper is a person I always remember. She worked on the 1st computer called Mark 1 and was the oldest admiral of her time. She also headed to a team and created the first compiler for coding, which led to the creation of COBOL (a programming language used today)
Emma Watson. Besides being a very successful great actor she has become quite the activist. She actually has been doing a lot of womens rights work.
Through your strength and encouragement. I know it was hard to do it alone. You never complained or made us feel less loved. You are the bravest and strongest woman I know. I was honored to have you in my life, and I am proud to say you were my mother.
I thought Harriet Tubman had left her mark in American history by being a very brave women who risked her life numerous times to try and get slaves across the northern border to get them to freedom. Helping to create the underground railroad has earned her place in American history forever.
She taught me how to love life
She taught me love for God, and to have faith. Taught me moral values. My protector, who makes me feel safe. The one who gives me unconditional love. My best friend for ever and always my mother.
One my female heroes is Demi Lovato. She is such an inspiration, because she has been through so many struggles and has still come out so strong and positive. She uses her position to help encourage other people to love themselves and be positive and happy like she is. She’s used what she has gone through to teach others to be better.
I would recommend The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The character of this book was isolated by her own husband when she was found to have depression after giving birth. No matter how many times she told her family that she needed to be around people she no one listened since her husband was a respectable male doctor.
I admire Julia Child. She is a famous French-cuisine Chef and an author of several books, such as My Life in France and Julia’s Casual Dinners. I remember first learning how to cook omelette by watching her show, The French Chef.
I really get inspired by Rosa Parks story. She is an amazing role model to all the females around the world. She showed us that we can stand up for what we believe is not right. Rosa Parks changed history with her strong character.
My women hero is Harriet Tubman, no I am not black but she gave so many families and women a chance to have courage to stand up for themselves. She was seen as a criminal for what she did but she was a beautiful, strong, courageous woman who changed history for black women.
A woman who has inspired me to be the best daughter, sister and mother that I can be is mother. She has been the prime example of an individual who has overcome adversity, as an immigrant. I’m proud to say that she is now, a US citizen and owns her own business. She truly accomplished the American dream.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett is one of my favorite books of all time. Many of the characters we come to know in the book are such strong women with so many admirable traits. Those women have stuck with me ever since the first time I read the book and I absolutely love them.
I choose Lady Gaga, although she may seem weird and somewhat strange with her music and of course her outfits. She represents equality in many aspects. She gives people the confidence and chance for them to stand up for themselves and her music inspires people to be leaders. She is remarkable and definitely an icon for many young people out there in the world. All of her “little monsters” help spread the word and show how strong we really are and that all these other peoples opinions do not matter.
This woman I know has always been a mother even though I never acknowledged it. She worked so hard to provide for me and my younger brother. Taking me to soccer practice and sleeping while I played. She always worked hard, I knew that but what I didn’t know is that she was working for my future. For my very own family’s future.
My mother
I really admire Nicki Minaj, because she’s a big supporter for children staying in school and getting an education, as well as women being able to do whatever they want and not being judged for it (aka feminism).
Whether she is writing comedy, adventure, or poignant, powerful drama my favorite and first female poet I have ever heard is Lois Lowry. Her appeal is as broad as her subject matter and as deep as her desire to affect an eager generation of readers. She will most likely be recognized as the author of the new movie, old book, The Giver. Fantastic book and worth your time.
My sister is some one I highly admire. She’s been through so many health issues and continues to work hard in school and sports. Nothing affect her motivation. She’s always determined to be better.
This reminds of a story of a Swedish woman hitting a neo-Nazi protester with her handbag. The woman was reportedly a concentration camp survivor. [1985]
The woman I know is MY MOTHER. She has always provided my bothers, and I a roof over our head, food on the table, and a bed to sleep in. Being a child not really know that we were living pay check to pay check. My mother still found the time to take us all out to enjoy what life has to offer.
I consider my mom being my first and always hero because no matter what i can count on her. From school to even personal problems she knows when something is wrong.