The Cartoon & Poem Supplement

"If God is omnipotent…"

Poems:

From “Heritage” by Elise Paschen: Very rare to have an excerpt of a poem in the magazine. This is really two excerpts – segments three and nine – and they feel vastly different; I’m not sure they quite work together without more context. Segment three is about the poet’s mother, prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, and her “departure” from Elise in service of her work. It’s fairly simple, but the use of “tell me” in the central segments is compelling – who is this silent addressee? The ninth segment is reminiscent of Claudia Rankine’s Citizen, a cluster of violent language unpacked through lyric. Something about it falls flat – more on class, which is very present but is never brought forward, would help a great deal.