I like the way "deckle-edged opium / poppy" zooms in on the keenly-observed edge of the petals. I just learned the term "deckle-edged" last year and it's a perfect metaphor.
"wedged in the seam between / Heaven and Earth" is also lovely.
And I applaud any poet who can effectively work "Transverberation" into a poem.
Believe it or not I have been thinking, especially considering the times we are in, how women can write about desire without demanding ourselves or our cause. And Mary has done it passionately, and brilliantly.
I like the way "deckle-edged opium / poppy" zooms in on the keenly-observed edge of the petals. I just learned the term "deckle-edged" last year and it's a perfect metaphor.
"wedged in the seam between / Heaven and Earth" is also lovely.
And I applaud any poet who can effectively work "Transverberation" into a poem.
Mary Jo Bang is amazing!
A highly quality erotic poem .
Indeed, David!
… “wedged in the seam between Heaven and Earth…” 🔥
Reasonable place for ecstasy, no?
Believe it or not I have been thinking, especially considering the times we are in, how women can write about desire without demanding ourselves or our cause. And Mary has done it passionately, and brilliantly.
Have you seen her other Mary poems?
No, but I certainly will.
The Mary
https://thesonneteer.substack.com/p/the-mary
Mary, Queen of Love and Death
https://thesonneteer.substack.com/p/mary-queen-of-love-and-death
Hail Mary
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/05/13/hail-mary-mary-jo-bang-poem
Will the Real Mary Please Stand Up?
https://electricliterature.com/three-poems-by-mary-jo-bang/
Thank you — will read this. Looking up her books. I just bought ‘The Last Two Seconds”.