1.1 The Cutting Room Floor

Stuff that did not make the cut.

This meth fueled Parody of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee” was cut from a scene during the roadtrip (the character was on meth, not the author). It required the reader to be familiar with more than the first line of the original poem, and I ultimately felt that Bo’s versifying hindered the narrative. Nina was faintly amused.



How do I confuse thee? Let me count the ways.
I confuse thee to death out of breath and blight
My guts wrench yours, even when out of sight
For the ends of beginnings, I deal in doubt.
I confuse thee to the limit every day
Moist riot’s rays, for what’s sun I say is all clammy neck.
I confuse thee freely, as you my hen strive to peck;
I confuse thee as surely as my praise is purely to puree.
I confuse thee with a fashion cut to refuse 
In my old beliefs, vacillation’s baffle ever faithful.
I confuse thee with a con I seemed to claim
from the lost and found, — I confuse thee with bad breath,
Smiles, sneers, of all my strife! — and, with God’s shoes,
I shall but confound thee butter after meth!


EBB’s Original:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, — I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

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