everyone's going over the top for this murder! assignment. catharine and amalle made a video documentary about mill girls. ross and blair made a musical. i sang two parts for them this morning: lucretia, sarah maria cornell's mother, and gossip #2. they recorded four scenes and the whole thing is damn clever.
as for me, well, i wrote a story the other nite when i should have been doing polisci. i could give that in. but i was too inspired by the creativity of others; to measure up, i began writing an epic poem -- part Homer, part Browning, part Capital Steps -- about smc's life. if it ends up being awful, i'll hand in the paper after all. meanwhile it's fun.

this is by far my most interesting final-type project. after this it's all tests (2) and papers (2.) of course everyone's in the same boat. so to tide you over, here's a portion of my attempt at barding:

Sarah earned wages, the which could have bought her
passages home -- and any good daughter
would return in a flash like a goldfish to water.

But although she ought to,
the girl opted not to.

Sarah chose to give money, rely on, seek favor
from Methodist churches: she begged them to save her,
forgive and ignore her egregious behavior.
She may have been giddy, too conscious of dress;
she may have spent more when she should have spent less,
but her praying was earnest as was her distress.
She feared the slow torture of brimstone damnation.
If only she�d learn how to master temptation!
Put vanity off and forego fornication!
her Methodist sisters said, There�s your salvation.

But although she knew right,
the girl couldn�t do right.

Off she was sent, packed with guilt and frustration.

heh heh heh. :-) hannukah party tonite at the barn. hopefully i'll stay awake thru this one.