Call her Savage
The true story of Meme Le Blanc, the 'Wild Child' of Chalons41 total reviews
Comment from Pantygynt
This superb piece of poetry seems set to be a simple tale of a wild child; the sort of folk tale common to many societies since the legend of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, who were brought up by a wolf. but this is much more than a simple telling of an albeit factual tale of a "wild child".
Actually the theme of this poem centres on the question of what is precisely the nature of savagery. This theme is revealed in the couplet,
"Begging the question
of who to call savage."
that is separated from the rest of the text to point up its importance here.
I can imagine the nuns who appear in the next stanza uttering the phrase that appears much earlier in the poem,
''Le Fille est Diabolique.'' (Surely this has to be 'la fille' otherwise we have a gender crisis!). Ever ready as are all religious to attribute anything non conformist as the work of the devil.
This brief review does not really do justice to the poem although I believe I have managed to tease the theme out of the the story. Apart from that one error of French Grammar the only problem I had was over the slight non sequitur apparent in these lines,
"...as alien to you
as the meals of greens and bread offered
to your carnivorous stomach."
A non sequitur because she also existed on raw roots which are of course vegetable matter!
The form for the bulk of the poem is free verse with occasional rhyme that includes some excellent cross rhyme. However, presumably under the influence of the convent's ordered surroundings, the verse itself succumbs to the reverend mother's discipline, at first gradually, and ultimately completely, falling into that most disciplined of all styles, rhyming couplets. Study the rhyme scheme here as it falls under the influence of the nuns:
abcbded, ffgg.
A masterpiece that deserves the six I no longer possess. Please accept my apologies on that score.
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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This superb piece of poetry seems set to be a simple tale of a wild child; the sort of folk tale common to many societies since the legend of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, who were brought up by a wolf. but this is much more than a simple telling of an albeit factual tale of a "wild child".
Actually the theme of this poem centres on the question of what is precisely the nature of savagery. This theme is revealed in the couplet,
"Begging the question
of who to call savage."
that is separated from the rest of the text to point up its importance here.
I can imagine the nuns who appear in the next stanza uttering the phrase that appears much earlier in the poem,
''Le Fille est Diabolique.'' (Surely this has to be 'la fille' otherwise we have a gender crisis!). Ever ready as are all religious to attribute anything non conformist as the work of the devil.
This brief review does not really do justice to the poem although I believe I have managed to tease the theme out of the the story. Apart from that one error of French Grammar the only problem I had was over the slight non sequitur apparent in these lines,
"...as alien to you
as the meals of greens and bread offered
to your carnivorous stomach."
A non sequitur because she also existed on raw roots which are of course vegetable matter!
The form for the bulk of the poem is free verse with occasional rhyme that includes some excellent cross rhyme. However, presumably under the influence of the convent's ordered surroundings, the verse itself succumbs to the reverend mother's discipline, at first gradually, and ultimately completely, falling into that most disciplined of all styles, rhyming couplets. Study the rhyme scheme here as it falls under the influence of the nuns:
abcbded, ffgg.
A masterpiece that deserves the six I no longer possess. Please accept my apologies on that score.
Comment Written 03-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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Thank you so much, excellent critique duly noted and adapted, thanks as always for your amazing and through review. Meia:)
Comment from evesayshi
In my opinion, a striking piece of literature - this writer's commitment to telling the tale in lyric, but tentative verse captures the essence of her regard for the feral child and the beauty of that fractured life...
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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In my opinion, a striking piece of literature - this writer's commitment to telling the tale in lyric, but tentative verse captures the essence of her regard for the feral child and the beauty of that fractured life...
Comment Written 02-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much for your wonderful review :) many thanks Meia
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You are very, very welcome, Meia...Eve
Comment from hifein
this poem/story is very engaging. i ran through it quickly at first and then read the story you provided and became interested enough to go back and reread the poem. the second time around was quite a wonderful experience -- you write well and your descriptions are vivid. what makes for a 'savage'? who is more savage, our enfant memmie or those we pass daily in the street and run governments? the last two stanzas as well as poignant and touching.
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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this poem/story is very engaging. i ran through it quickly at first and then read the story you provided and became interested enough to go back and reread the poem. the second time around was quite a wonderful experience -- you write well and your descriptions are vivid. what makes for a 'savage'? who is more savage, our enfant memmie or those we pass daily in the street and run governments? the last two stanzas as well as poignant and touching.
Comment Written 02-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2017
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Thankyou SO much for your very generous and kind review, regards Meia :)
Comment from Louise Michelle
Wow - what an extraordinary story, and you did a terrific job capturing it in poetry form.
A lot of effort went into writing this and it shows. I'd be hard pressed to pick out a favorite stanza because they all provoke strong images. A job well done, Meia.
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2017
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Wow - what an extraordinary story, and you did a terrific job capturing it in poetry form.
A lot of effort went into writing this and it shows. I'd be hard pressed to pick out a favorite stanza because they all provoke strong images. A job well done, Meia.
Comment Written 02-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so very much for the lovely review. It really made me smile. Kindest regards Meia x
Comment from jusylee72
Thank you for telling this intriguing and wonderful story of a very unique person. Heaven only knows where she came from or the cruelty she experienced in life. She showed intelligence by learning language at a late age. That is extremely hard to do. Language is usually developed in the first five years of life. Great history lesson.
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thank you for telling this intriguing and wonderful story of a very unique person. Heaven only knows where she came from or the cruelty she experienced in life. She showed intelligence by learning language at a late age. That is extremely hard to do. Language is usually developed in the first five years of life. Great history lesson.
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Yes, since she has missed the critical age of language acquisition she must have had some language BEFORE she was sold ...how horrible her life was it's hard to comprehend thankyou so much for your very kind review xx
Comment from Hitcher
A fascinating biographical story you have chosen to share with us friend. I thoroughly enjoyed your poetic artistry. I'm a huge fan of rhyming poems and love poets who aren't afraid to write lengthy works, in my humble opinion they showcase the talent of the poet. Awesome! I loved it! Is that the girl from King Kong? Perfect
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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A fascinating biographical story you have chosen to share with us friend. I thoroughly enjoyed your poetic artistry. I'm a huge fan of rhyming poems and love poets who aren't afraid to write lengthy works, in my humble opinion they showcase the talent of the poet. Awesome! I loved it! Is that the girl from King Kong? Perfect
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much for your very kind review. I do like to write about unusual things! Also my poems tend to be long, which puts some off, glad you are not, thankyou very much x
Comment from giraffmang
Hi there,
I like the unconventional style you use in your pieces. It gives the poetry a certain quality that draws the reader in and makes the piece flow well.
good strong imagery and the author's notes give a credibility to the work.
All the best
GMG
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Hi there,
I like the unconventional style you use in your pieces. It gives the poetry a certain quality that draws the reader in and makes the piece flow well.
good strong imagery and the author's notes give a credibility to the work.
All the best
GMG
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much for your kind comments Meia x
Comment from mbroyles2
I love the way you can tell a story in such a dramatic fashion as a poem.
The story that follows is just as intriguing as we are told the real story.
Truly fascinating.
Michael
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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I love the way you can tell a story in such a dramatic fashion as a poem.
The story that follows is just as intriguing as we are told the real story.
Truly fascinating.
Michael
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much you are extremely kind and I am very grateful, kind regards Meia x
Comment from Mrs Happy Poet
This is very well written and reads so well a very factual poem that a lot of work obviously went into I enjoyed you have done well regards Jill
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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This is very well written and reads so well a very factual poem that a lot of work obviously went into I enjoyed you have done well regards Jill
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much you are extremely kind and I am very grateful, kind regards Meia x
Comment from F. Wehr3
I really enjoyed your poem as well as the lengthy author's notes. I think you captured the essence of what this child felt and was going through to be able to blend into society. Well done!
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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I really enjoyed your poem as well as the lengthy author's notes. I think you captured the essence of what this child felt and was going through to be able to blend into society. Well done!
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 01-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2017
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Thankyou so much you are extremely kind and I am very grateful, kind regards Meia x
