Anna who was mad (Anne Sexton, lyrics; Laila Salins, music; Benton-C, video)

A song from "InSomnia/InSexton" based on the poetry and life of Anne Sexton - with music by Laila Salins, Benton-C's video artwork.

Anna who was mad,
I have a knife in my armpit.
When I stand on tiptoe I tap out messages.
Am I some sort of infection?
Did I make you go insane?
Did I make the sounds go sour?
Did I tell you to climb out the window?
Forgive. Forgive.
Say not I did.
Say not.
Say.

Speak Mary-words into our pillow.
Take me the gangling twelve-year-old
into your sunken lap.
Whisper like a buttercup.
Eat me. Eat me up like cream pudding.
Take me in.
Take me.
Take.

Give me a report on the condition of my soul.
Give me a complete statement of my actions.
Hand me a jack-in-the-pulpit and let me listen in.
Put me in the stirrups and bring a tour group through.
Number my sins on the grocery list and let me buy.
Did I make you go insane?
Did I turn up your earphone and let a siren drive through?
Did I open the door for the mustached psychiatrist
who dragged you out like a gold cart?
Did I make you go insane?
From the grave write me, Anna!
You are nothing but ashes but nevertheless
pick up the Parker Pen I gave you.
Write me.
Write.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Anne Sexton
• Laila Salins
• Benton-C Bainbridge
• poetry
• theater
• music-theater
• avant-garde theater
• vocal
• video
• madness
• song
• electric
• guitar
• here
• arts
• center