Madame DeFarge
knit away
lives of all those slain

she smiled while knitting
that devious dame
with glee and little shame

a nefarious time
1775
Today much the same

Who’s knitting our lives?

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Oh, those Trifextra Trixters . . . the challenge? Re-write a famous story in our own words – in exactly 33 of those words. Oh, my!

You may ask – why Tale of Two Cities – a young friend of mine is reading it with her sophomore class at Kenai Central HS. She is having a tough time of it, as are her friends. My encouragment to continue reading, to read it aloud, to compare the times, seems to be falling on deaf (aka teenaged) ears.

I need to re-read it. It’s been well over 40 years . . . but I remember Madame DeFarge and her knitting . . . and I compare her devilish glee with today’s politicos. Someone knitting away while we languish/die? Yeah, maybe.

And – it took over 100 words to explain my 33 word piece. Yeesh!

11 responses

  1. Lance says:

    great last line and a heckuva spin’

    like it a lot

  2. Carrie says:

    It’s been so long since I read A Tale of Two Cities that I can’t remember much. Regardless, I love the imagery you crafted with your poem, especially the ending

  3. Rachel says:

    I remember having quite the time reading that book too! I remember being a bit fresh and asking my teacher come on was it the best of times or the worst? I liked your take on it though!

  4. Dana says:

    As always, beautiful!!! Love how you “knitted” this story so well!

    Sheesh, I really need to read that book… that’s the only book that hubby can quote but I can’t. ACK! ;-D

  5. megan says:

    I feel like I should have read this book, but don’t remember a thing about it. Your version will do quite nicely. 🙂

  6. MOV says:

    nicely done!

    best,
    MOV

  7. natalie says:

    Perfect last line! Who is knitting our lives?

  8. Who’s knitting our lives? Terrific thought.

  9. Thanks for your final 100 words. I haven’t read the book because it’s always scared me. Now could you do the same thing for Moby Dick?

  10. Tara R. says:

    Sadly I’ve never read this novel. Now, I’m intrigued and will have to track down a copy at the library.

  11. Trifecta says:

    Thanks for linking up, Barbara. I like this a lot. You took on one of the classics here and did a really good job. I think I also remember Madame DeFarge with a pistol as well? But given how she died, I think it’s better to remember her with her knitting needles! Hope to see you for the weekly challenge.

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