An Accurate Martyr
By Lindsay Tuggle
The extraordinary baggage
a collection of ordinary possessions
accumulated since
childhood with
zealous care
her mind
lost its sway
manifested peculiarities
after arrival
No one could live
in her limbs.
“on fire”
she felt
“cut to pieces” under
some dilapidated garment
constant correspondence
from autograph hunters
to answer
in the afternoon
to darken her room
She had declined
light
from ordinary candles
floating in water.
Winter sisters
from the hospital
judge her appetite
her disease
to consume
sleep
an opiate
when awake.
a slight hysterical
mode
almost wholly imaginary
her fancies
seen here
this lady
occupies
years now
remaining days may be days
Author’s note: This poem is comprised entirely of words and phrases taken from a New York Times article on Mary Todd Lincoln’s declining health and fascination with Spiritualism. “Mrs. Lincoln’s Health: What is Claimed to be an Accurate Statement Respecting her Eccentricities and Whims.” The New York Times. July 22, 1881.
In 2012, poet Lindsay Tuggle ran a workshop at Marrickville High School, introducing students to a brand-new resource: The Disappearing. Based around Red Room Poetry's major public project for 2012, The Disappearing, students were asked to consider people, places and things in the world around them that were in the process of vanishing. These works were then published on The Disappearing app. Lindsay composed 'An Accurate Martyr' for the school.