A Response to Auden’s “Moon Landing”
Sexist Auden never conceived of a woman
reaching the moon. For him, only men
appreciate technology.
poor foolish boy!
To dismiss half of humanity as incompetent
robbed him of a rich reality. He couldn’t comprehend
the genius female of women’s pencils
scratching formulae – the mother lode —
mathematics which finally set human feet
in lunar dust.
8 thoughts on "A Response to Auden’s “Moon Landing”"
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I love, love, love this! You had me at “Sexist Auden” and “poor foolish boy!” Yet you are kind in showing that this “robbed him,” highlighting his loss, which makes the end celebration of women’s genius even more powerful. Bravo.
Thank you so much, Michele!
Right on! I appreciate how your poems directly address / are in conversation with historical narratives. Your poem inspired the one I wrote for today, thank you so much!
Thank you so much, Diana! I’ll have to be sure I’ve read your poem. Thanks for the heads up.
I totally agree with Michele! I’m guessing Auden wouldn’t have watched Hidden Figures!
LOL I was listening to some of his work (I qualify for BARD Mobile from the NLS for people who are sight impaired or blind), and listening to what he had to say about the moon landing and how only males were able to pull off that kind of technology left me astounded AND pissed off.
E.E., this is my favorite of your poems this month! The pacing, the direct language, the fearlessness. This is amazing!
Wow! Really? Thanks ever so much, H.A.