Here are two poems by Estha Weiner, who grew up in Portland and Falmouth and now lives in New York City. Her sense of irony and of how to create characters and a sense of dialogue through the briefest suggestion come in part from her training in the theater. Estha loves Maine and returns whenever possible. Betsy Sholl
“Lying about Sex” was first published in J Journal. Both of these poems will be in her forthcoming book from Salmon Press, titled “at the last minute. ”
Lying About Sex
“Elizabeth, I have confessed”
John Proctor, The Crucible, Arthur Miller
I thought I saw
my husband
What of Abigail Williams?
somewhat turning from
Goody Proctor
My husband is a good
and righteous
To your own knowledge,
has John Proctor
I came to think
he fancied
Your husband—
did he
My husband
is a goodly
Then he
did not
He is a goodly
Has John Proctor ever
committed the crime
He
Is your husband
a lecher?
No, sir.
Dialogue
Come, dearest, we’ll play
A little poker,
Stud and Draw,
The first game you taught me.
I’ll bring our plastic chips;
You’ll win. I’ll take
Your hand. I’ll take
You out of here.
Listen, I’m pretending
I can talk to you.
Pretend you can
Hear me.
Come, dearest,
Come back.