The Folklore Muse: Poetry, Fiction, and Other Reflections by Folklorists

Don't judge this book by its cover. Dressed up as a spinster textbook, in false-modesty-khaki with the unappetizingly prim J.Romney engraving of The Orphan Ballad Singers pinned chastely to its bosom, 'The Folklore Muse' reveals herself a lush, complex, imaginatively gathered and, dare I say, action-packed collection of all manner of unexpected writings by folklorists. Frank de Caro's anthology is broad. It is also deep, and full of fun. There are essays on being/becoming a folklorist, as I'd've hoped, including lovely, personal ones; for instance, Steve Zeitlin's piece likening building poems to laying rock-walls. Zeitlin's poetry is found here too, as are those of Carrie Hertz (her set, 'Absent Gods,' gave me chills), and the yearning elegance of Margaret Yokum's 'Opening Camp,' 'Echo, at Lakeside,' 'Where the Living Keep Watch,' and 'In Jewelweed.' So many treasures, so many! There are stories, naturally, and one called 'Bigfoot Stole My Husband.' by Teresa Bergen. Bigfoot! I'm just saying. There is erudition here, but there are loads of life, heart, and humor too. These are folklorists, after all. I don't know why I should be so surprised. There is even a play. A commedia dell'arte play. An hysterical, touching, Fo-style satyrical play titled,'The Ramayana .... as if Sita Mattered,' by Danusha Goska, in which Sita acts out and upon the drama of the Ramayana. The last line of the play seemed to me particularly poignant, especially as the Gulf oil disaster gushes on: "Sita: I don't know. All I know is I can't take the injustice in what I used to think was completely beautiful. I have to find the better way." Reviewed by Amanda Moody, June 27, 2010