1954 Comments

2. Although not based on the reality, the poem is most powerfully written.

As a student of law, I had read about the Burton Abbot conviction. Purely on circumstancial evidence. Wrongly convicted. But, the poet has been carried away by the crime on a girl.

I felt awe that dirt was so impersonal, and pity for the training bra, pity and terror of eczema......../// wonderfully written

..............such a tragedy....monsters disguise themselves as humans everyday ★

First read: Pile driver powerful. Makes one feel naked on a city-center corner. Thx.10/10.

An intense and gripping poem. Captivating!

Strange thing about this poem: The accused was probably innocent. He would certainly never be convicted today based on flimsy, circumstantial evidence. Absolutely nothing connected Burton Abbott to the notorious rape and murder of this young girl. Strange, that Sharon Olds doesn't seem to know the most rudimentary facts about the case.

This poem always, always gets to me. Heartbreaking. She's an inspiration - fearless. Terrifying and painful account.

i love her, she makes me feel, she inspires me to write without fear of convential aesthetics. this poem hurts but it speaks the truth. and the fear she speaks of is palpable. i wish i could write so brilliantly. Check out my poem, Ode to Sharon Olds, in my poems posted here.

What I love about Sharon Olds' poetry is that there is an honesty to it even to the point of being painful to read. This poem is stark and gorgeous but extremely painful to read.

Breathless. Sharon Olds always does that to me. Her poems are intense and real. They have a life of their own. This one is amazing, moving, even painful, but don't stop here. Read anything of hers you can get your hands on.