Gerard Manley Hopkin’s classic poem “Spring and Fall” talks about a young girl named Margaret. She seems upset by the departure of green leaves and the death and decay fall represents. The speaker tells her that it is a natural cycle that she will get use to. George Starbuck’s shorter revision tackles the same conversation, with much more charm.
“Margaret Are You Drug”
by George Starbuck
Cool it Mag.
It is not imperative that you read “Spring and Fall” in order to appreciate this poem (although I would recommend it). Hopkins’ version emphasized the philosophy and coming of age, but in “Margaret Are You Drug” the emphasis is put on the speaker’s dialect and diction.
As casual as it is, the conversation of autumn leaves is meant to have universal implications. Life comes and goes and that is not just limited to spring and fall.
“I mean leaves
Schmeaves.”
Death and decay is a concept we will all struggle with. It is ingrained into human nature and nurture. When we mourn death, we actually mourn loss. We grieve, because we will not have that precious thing anymore.
“You sure you aint just feeling sorry for yourself?”