FALL 2009



Elizabeth Swados

MISUNDERSTANDING

She called me a sparrow
because I don't drink coffee.
Instantly I grew a beak
and my nervous neck swiveled at
tiny sounds.
She doesn't know I am
a Gila monster and
once my teeth grab a limb
no fireman can pry me off.
But I'll settle for a sparrow
maybe next week an Egyptian camel.


Elizabeth Swados is an award-winning author and composer. She is a Tony nominated, Obie winning theater artist, Guggenheim and Ford Foundation recipient, as well as a Pen/Faulkner citation. Her latest book, "At Play -- Teaching Teenagers Theater," was published by Faber and Faber. Her poetry has appeared in magazines such as New York Quarterly, Confrontation, Paterson Literary Review, Runes and Home Planet News. Her first book of poetry, titled "The One and Only Human Galaxy," was pending release in Spring 2009.


 


 

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