Sonnet

Matthew Wells wrote a series of sonnets about some of the plays at GPTC. This is the one he wrote about Washington Place

“Oh you beautiful doll!” he sings to me,

   And I pretend that I don’t understand.

I speak Italian very patiently;

   My sister translates, then he takes my hand.

Meanwhile the socialist talks of a strike

   And someone’s thread gets balled up in a tangle

And one girl’s pregnant with some little tyke—

   It’s just another day at the Triangle.

When Yetta cries out: “God made floors to keep

   Us in our place—we must rise up and fight!”

I picture floors, and boys who like to sweep.

   When Gussie feels a sharp electric bite,

      I dream of phantom hugs, while someone tall

      Belts out: “Oh! Oh! Oh you beautiful