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the body of the poem

by Diane Tucker

lifted arms
are phrases well joined;
shoulders sturdy as conjunctions

breasts: a phrase recurring
and the curves from shoulder to thigh
a complex, elegant sentence
the ribcage a tight
well-constructed stanza

hips, back and belly
are nouns and verbs, well-muscled
a sound centre of gravity

legs repeat the rhythm
the right number of feet
to make the body dance

lyric the skin
metaphor the very bones
 

DIANE TUCKER HAS RECENTLY HAD WORK IN DESCANT, TICKLEACE AND RECURSIVE ANGEL. HER FIRST BOOK OF POEMS, GOD ON HIS HAUNCHES, WAS PUBLISHED IN 1996 BY NIGHTWOOD EDITIONS AND WAS SHORTLISTED FOR THE 1997 GERALD LAMPERT MEMORIAL AWARD. SHE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A NOVEL.

THIS WORK IS COPYRIGHT OF THE AUTHOR.