Bascom Noah

From Indelible: A Stanford Fable

Composed as a heroic crown of sonnets, Indelible is a treatment of the sociopolitical tensions which pervaded the Stanford campus during the author’s undergraduate studies. Focusing on political inferences, the work incorporates quotes from diverse personages including Christine Blasey Ford, Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump and Chanel Miller. Indelible examines the corollaries among seemingly disparate narratives, coming to rest at the place where they all intersect.

“Act I: Such Iron Ease”

Now, bow your pretty heads and let us prey
Upon the albatross to stay her fledge.
The scales of justice shimmer as they weigh
A spike from any cross she might allege.
The neck of our fair Judge was rightly freed
By his fraternal kin who came in throngs,
Such as the district colleague who decreed
That "Certain women should be struck . . . like gongs."
And members all began, from root to head,
“to feel the awesome power,” I digress,
For surely nothing further need be said
“of uncontrollable male passion," yes?
            And all the courtly world is but a stage,
            So, plunder does abound when war does wage.

So, plunder does abound when war does wage.
Thus, lucky is the lark who keeps apace,
who understands the prudence of her cage
and preens within its comforting embrace.
Such were the lyrebirds who sang their grudge,
Incongruous, perhaps, yet quite direct:
“He has behaved honorably,” our judge,
withal “and treated women with respect.”
Yet, what of that perplexing mystery
When one among the flock was heard to say,
“I pray their daughters” pointedly said she,
“are never treated” (cryptic, no?) “this way.”
            Yet, all of my conjecture I will stay,
            Now, do I not advance by this affray?