Julian Sorel

In college I gave a talk in Comp Lit
On Le Rouge et Le Noir
The hour before class
I sat in the john
Trying to figure out what to say

Then stone-cold without notes
I walked in and talked about Sorel
For almost an hour

I may have told the story
Like a kid doing his first book report
But the students were held
As if mesmerized by my recitation
I recall being amazed at this

Afterward the professor said
You tell it very well
Which I thought a back-hand compliment
He was a continental but not German

It’s a good story and if I told it
Then I’m glad I told it
Let someone more detached
Provide a fitting commentary

I felt too close to Julian
To judge him
Certainly not in public

7/10-7/11/95, 6/10/95, 6/10/07

Copyright 1995, 2007 by Maurice Leiter

Posted with permission.