Bruce Wayne and Cinderella

 

Bucky Sinister’s poem “The Other Universe of Bruce Wayne” is centered on Batman’s human alter ego’s life in “an alternate universe.” Though it is a strange approach for an author to write using another author’s character, it ultimately serves to highlight the alternate universe’s differences; “Bruce Wayne is poor… there’s no Batman, … no trusted sidekick” and “[he] ain’t that lucky in love.” By creating an alternate universe in which to paint such a pathetic picture of a life, the work and the true story are less pitiful and are in fact easier to digest. Because we know that the real Batman or Bruce Wayne leads a life of riches where “everyone loves [him]” and he “symbolize[es] justice in human form,” the desperation and darkness of the story is dissipated. The space given by the alternate universe allows the narrator to tell his story from the safety of being Bruce Wayne’s only friend without coming off as pitiful.

Sinister’s poem is more like prose than any other poem I have read. By referencing Bruce Wayne,  however, Sinister makes his poem more accessible than many older poems, assuming that the reader knows something about Batman or Bruce Wayne. Citing a popular culture character or even using them as the main focus of a poem or work makes writing easier. When writing my villanelle about a popular culture fictional character, I found it was much easier, especially since the character’s story did not have be explained within such a strict poetic format. 

 

"Cinderella"

Oh beautiful Cinderella,

Who toiled so long in ash and grime

Now on the arm of a great fella

 

Oh beautiful Cinderella

Your heart of gold glimmering always

Never leaving mice sans umbrella

 

Oh beautiful Cinderella

Once dressed in rags to clean and serve

Is now greeted “Hello Ciao Bella”

 

Oh beautiful Cinderella

From rags to riches and pumpkin

To coach going to meet her fella

 

Oh beautiful Cinderella

The magic ends- the shoe drops

But wait! Could it be your fella?

 

Oh beautiful Cinderella

Transformed till midnight by magic

Will forever be with her fella

On the page of a novella.