Cartoons

I often do not understand the poetry in the New Yorker.  Consequently, I do not flip the pages to find it.  But I grew up reading New Yorker cartoons.  Yes, some of the humor was New York-based, and I grew up in South Minneapolis three blocks from Lake Harriet.  But there were enough cartoons which hit home.  I graduated from Earlham College in 1977.  One of my classmates, Liza Donnelly, is a cartoonist for the New Yorker.  I often find her when I flip the pages.  I am envious, and delighted.  Envious because mine is not the type of poetry the New Yorker poetry staff values.  Delighted because Liza*s cartoons make the grade.  Liza gave a TED talk recently.  I encourage you to see it:

http://www.ted.com/talks/liza_donnelly_drawing_upon_humor_for_change.html

Oh yes, and read the reflection that follows.  It will never be published in the New Yorker.

A classmate of mine

From long ago

Cartoons for a living.

She is published in every alumni magazine

On the back page.

She is regularly featured

In the New Yorker.

She draws cartoons people flip the pages

To find.

I grew up with the New Yorker.

Even in Minnesota it arrived every week.

I always read the cartoons.

It wasn*t until much later,

I realized there were articles;

Unlike, I understand, Playboy,

The magazine everyone purchased

For the articles.

My husband is still stunned

That I grew up

With the New Yorker,

Not to mention the Yiddish expressions

I have known forever.

He is convinced we were closet Jews.

At 56 I know

He is probably right.

I have often wished I could draw,

Hold up a picture which encapsulates

At least a thousand words,

Give the punch line

And have everyone

Well, almost everyone,

Understand.