Julia Wagg
(nee Alarie) was a student in my creative writing class from February to June
of 1998. She was one of the most
creative students I ever had the privilege to teach. She died on April 14; today, her memorial
service is being held.
Her
obituary (http://www.fco-cfo.coop/death-notice.php?id=41557#.WPal6wf4pmw.facebook)
indicates that she was an extraordinary person, as does this story (http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/julia-wagg-1980-2017-a-force-of-nature-in-ottawas-lgbtq-community)
written about her in The Ottawa Citizen.
At the end
of each creative writing course, I compiled an anthology featuring the best
work of the students. The anthology of
Julia’s class was entitled Playing Famous;
six of Julia’s pieces appear in the book.
In honour
of Julia, I’m copying the poem that Julia included in that anthology. I don’t think she would mind my sharing it.
Adopted
I am your
ugly, ugly instant kid
By default
Because it was a cabbage patch
Full of rejects
From which you carried me away
Your heart deifying
regret
Since the day
The papers were signed
You keep them in a cigar box
On the top shelf of your closet
Like the car registration in your
Glove compartment
And you
gladly deny accountability
For my mistakes –
Like breathing.
Blame the genetic Pez dispenser
For my conduct on this earth
You forget
that ownership
Is nine-tenths of the law
You’d even
gnaw your hand off
That you might trade me in
A pointless exchange
Because forsaken
Was the merchandise
From conception
The residue
of a walking womb
Afraid to use coat hangers
For anything but hanging coats
Sympathizing
with no one
Save myself
Personal pity party
Do unto
others
As you would do unto yourself
Well, that’s fine for the prophets
But in suburbia
Murder isn’t legal
Me, myself,
and I
Rejects are we all
Though she may not have been famous for her writing, Julia was certainly a writer. Here’s what she wrote one week before she
died: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-am-going-die-julia-wagg-chrl. She never lost her skill with words.
Postscript: I came across an interview with Julia's widow at http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/929960515651.
Postscript: I came across an interview with Julia's widow at http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/929960515651.
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