Mary at North Shore Writers’ Association
Before I spoke at the North Shore Writers’ Association meeting, clever poet Joan Boxall introduced me by singing (Joan is also the member of a Vancouver choir!) a Petrarchan sonnet she’d composed for the occasion. Here it is, courtesy of Joan. She also took the photo of me signing books for the members. Thank you so much, Joan!
Joan Boxall’s Tribute to Mary Novik and National Poetry Week
I’m pleased to introduce Mary Novik’s Muse,
A Petrarchian sonnet for this April’s Poetry Week.
It’s the muse behind the muse of which her book doth speak—
Solange, Petrarch’s Italian lover, the poet did misuse.
Petrarch, a priest, the contemplatives did use
Until at 23, he gave it up— he was too weak.
Like most of Avignon, in those days, did dance down by the creek.
But Solange, Mary’s protagonist, is the one we seek.
(a resounding refrain of ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon, on y danse…’)
Twas she, as it turns out, had the gift of sight;
Sought clemency from Clement who was her loving Pope.
Yet Petrarch held her heart, for him she did copy— right!
For us, what could be, my point of view tonight?
As writers, and as scribes, we hold out some hope
That putting pen to paper is a plausible plight!
(‘Sur le Pont, d’Avignon, on y danse…tout en rond.’)
Translation: On Avignon Bridge (or under it as historians verify for shelter/privacy) we danse there . . . all in a writers’ circle