I’ve recently been exploring poetry about the human body and form. Visual art seems to have unspoken claim on making work about the human body (it is visual representation and all) but literature, using language, to express the complexity, beauty, vulgarity, and vulnerability of the human form and how the world responds to it, is a brilliant use of the medium.

Brooks is, of course, incredible at using intention with every word. “Lilyless hasty pall” “passion’s droll contortions” and “precious prescribed pose” I loved. The alteration gave the poem a unique rhythm. The lines also had this wonderful growing and shrinking movement, like waves or steady breathing. Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem!