Know Rhyme and Reason Contest:
Debra Conner; “F. Scott Fitzgerald: Hollywood CA November, 1940”
Honorable Mentions:
Lisa Sloan, Lawrence Rhu
F. Scott Fitzgerald: Hollywood, CA., November 1940
Memo to John Biggs, Esq.
Re: changes to last will and testament
John, I want Ober, my former agent, out
as executor immediately. No need to recount
his betrayals or discuss my decision unless
it's to say I deeply regret
his lack of faith in me,
my future work and its possibilities.
As for my funeral, I'd like
to amend my earlier will and strike
my instructions that it be an occasion
(ceremony) in keeping with my station.
For reasons both of us know, my funeral
and burial must henceforth be the cheapest possible.
Judge’s Comment:
Lean and clean use of language. The writer is writing to the end of the line with rhymes that carry the weight without being intrusive. Curiously, they undermine the aggressive posturing of the speaker, who writes with such certainty even as the rhymed words slide into doubt/uncertainty. Clever.