Laura
Douglass' Commentary
When he
published this second batch of poems, Lance stated that the poems were
all read on the first night that Raychel read her work at The
Bleeders. I should clarify his statement further than even Lance
knows. Raychel did speak the poem in its entirety at that
meeting, but only the middle three stanzas were actually read.
After the reading, while Lance was struggling to get through the
crowd, I saw and talked to Raychel. Raychel wrote on the poem,
which was Fort (Hard) Knox. She said that she needed to get the
notes down before she forgot them. I believe she improvised the
first and last stanzas for Lance's benefit. She used them to
serve him with a warning about her. I think sometimes Raychel
thought of herself as damaged goods.
David
Vanderhoff's Commentary
When Raychel
ran away from the farm, I thought it was to follow my example.
Unfortunately, this poem indicates more than that. I understand
Raychel's reasons for feeling that way, but I respectfully disagree
with her. I loved her.
Ken
Kincaid's Commentary
"Cowardice kills cunning." I don't think that David
Vanderhoff is the hero he made himself out to be in
"Trust?".
Quite the opposite. If you were so good for her, why didn't she
come to you when she ran away?
Painseeker
Reader Anis Nin's Commentary (06-12-2001)
I notice this poem came off as a shocking blow to David. I just want
to note that this was forthcoming. You can't expect that with you
being the oldest of the two and the boy for that matter not to develop
this outlook from the younger sister. Especially because she had to
stick up for you, meaning I am willing to bet that she got more
punishment by doing so that you are unaware of or perhaps refusing to
remember. This love/hate emotion is common with abused children who
later are staged into their adulthood. She simply never understood why
she was the protector in the family unit because she was most afraid.
She was afraid of her father, her mother and of what she herself might
lead to do due to the events that were taking place. She even feared
her brother because in a place where your family unit is never in tact
on any count; everyone is a suspect. A lot like a murder mystery.
