Project Redux: When I’m Gone (Cue the Cups)

Poeming Kristin Lavransdatter

My copy of Kristin has lots of notes about her sister Ramborg, and I’ve written more than a few poems about her. But nothing seemed to capture this woman who is, perhaps, the only female in the story who I’d want to be my actual friend.

While puzzling over how to write about Ramborg, I noticed this sentence she says, about Simon: “He never missed me while I was gone.” Wait, what song does that sound like? The YouTube gods sent me a sign: Anna Kendrick singing “Cups/When I’m Gone” from Pitch Perfect. Now I knew what to write.

I don’t know that Kristin misses Ramborg after she’s gone. After informing Kristin she is to be remarried, Ramborg disappears from the narrative. I can only hope she lives happily ever after with her new husband, after her “wretched” life with Simon.

I don’t think Ramborg will miss Kristin either. But I picture her thinking that she will be missed, singing as she waltzes out the door, away from her home valley, forever.

This poem is for Ramborg, who deserves to be missed. (Cue the cups.)

Read the poem at Project Redux