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.
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