Elizabeth Wallace is a psychiatrist in private practice in Toronto. A candidate at the Houston-Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute for three years, she recently transferred to the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis for her fourth year. Her poetry has been published in the anthologies of the Houston Poetryfest 2002 and 2003, where she was a Juried Poet both years, in the Houston Poetry Review, and in an anthology called Five Inprint Poets by Mutabilis Press, 2003. “Girl, Edited” appeared in the Houston Poetryfest anthology 2002, and “Bit Parts” in the Five Inprint Poets.
Wallace's clever and fresh use of language is a delight to read. Her brevity and economy of expression allow easy access to her poetry. No image is strained or overdone. Her poems reminded me immediately of Billy Collins' poetry with their ready sense of humor and in the way they welcome the reader.
Bit PartsSometimes a supporting actor appears—say, a great-uncle whosmokes Players cigarettes,brings you lariatsto practice rope tricks,a baton to flip,climbs telephone poleswith special spiked soles,writes curling pages of poems—to play the parts that the leadsin your life nevercould.
Girl, EditedShe is too much, so she edits.Cuts I want, I need, I wish,Writes you desire, you require, you relish.Embellishments go next. Sassy, brashadjectives slashed for more virtuous verbsto share, to care, to give.She deletes adverbs boldly, decisivelytrashes showy punctuation…!Possessives my and mine ablated, ours pasted.She alters size, and voice, and type tofit, cuts name to mere initials with a snip.Sacrifices truth to please her readers.Now indented and neat, she adjustsher counted words to not exceed.Fits any given space.
Sheri A. Hunt, M.D., is a candidate at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute in both the adult and child training programs. A published poet and member of TAP's editorial board, she welcomes readers' comments and suggestions at sherihunt@hotmail.com.