This beautiful woman with smoky eyes is Anna Akhmatova, the poet, born near Odessa on this day in 1889. С днем рождения, Anna! Her major work was Requiem, a tragic masterpiece on Stalinist terror.
In Paris, she met the artist Modigliani, who painted more than 20 paintings of her, several of them nudes. He was passionately in love with her, and for the rest of her life, no matter where she lived or what her circumstances, she kept one of his nude portraits of her above her couch.
Folk singer Iris Dement’s album The Trackless Woods is comprised of songs the lyrics of which are poems of Akhmatova’s in translation. Here’s a short one called “Prayer.”
Give me comfortless seasons of sickness,
Visitations of wrath and of wrong
On my house; Lord, take child and companion,
And destroy the sweet power of song.
Thus I pray at each matins, each vespers,
After these many wearying days,
That the storm-cloud which broods over Russia
May be changed to a nimbus ablaze.
Anna’s popularity kept Stalin from arresting her, although he imprisoned her son and common-law husband. She spent 17 months in line outside the Kresty Holding Prison with thousands of wives and daughters, waiting to catch a glimpse of their loved ones and to give them bread. Her son once refused a loaf of rye from her because she forget to ask for it with seeds. [No he didn’t.]
She worked on Requiem for over 30 years, fragment by fragment. Terrified of being discovered, she had friends memorize the fragments, and then she would burn the pieces of paper. There is now a statue of Anna across from the Kresty Prison. She died in Moscow in 1966, at age 76.
Owl Chatter is blessed today with another beautiful woman, Golfer Michelle Wie West, who visited the puzzle at 42A. [I don’t know what Phil said to her that she was so miffed about for this shot — he’s generally a whiz at getting pretty smiles.]
Since she was clued with her married name (West), a Rex commenter opined that he hoped she didn’t marry Kanye West, God forbid! Well, the good news is I was able to let him know:
Michelle Wie married Jonnie West, the Director of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors, — he is the son of legendary NBA player Jerry West. Wow! Stephen Curry attended the ceremony, but only gave them a shitty blender as a wedding gift. (I made up the last part of that sentence: I’m sure he was quite generous.)
Wie and West have a gorgeous little girl named Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. She’s two years old and dribbles (except when using a sippy cup).
Wie got into a flap with Rudy Giuliani, of all people. BTW, the hapless men of my generation owe Rudy a big Thank You. No matter how boorish and loutish we are, we can only look good next to Rudy, and I’m not even talking about the black dye dripping down his head.
Anyway, Giuliani told a story on Steve Bannon’s podcast. He and Rush Limbaugh attended a women’s golf tourney, and Limbaugh complained that there were too many photographers on hand because of Giuliani. So Rudy said, “It’s not me – it’s because Michelle Wie is playing. She has an unusual putting stance in which she bends over and you can see her panties — so that’s why the photographers are here — it’s not for me.”
Wie shot back:
“What this person should have remembered from that day was the fact that I shot 64 and beat every male golfer in the field leading our team to victory. I shudder thinking he was smiling to my face and complimenting my game while objectifying me and referencing my ‘panties’ behind my back all day.’’
She added: “What should be discussed is the elite skill level that women play at, not what we wear or look like. My putting stance six years ago was designed to improve my putting stats (I ended up winning the US Open that year), NOT as an invitation to look up my skirt!”
Hrummph! You tell ’em, MW!
From the new New Yorker. We’ve all been there:
One last guest today, from the puzzle — Marie OSMOND at 19A. Hi Sis!
Phil! — What the hell kind of pose is that? — It can’t be comfortable. Help her up!! — She’s 63 and has eight kids! — what the hell’s wrong with you??!! She may never walk again!
See you tomorrow folks! Thanks for stopping by.
The Wellington Files 