A Face to Meet the Faces: An Anthology of Contemporary Persona Poetry

A Foot, A Poem

262 A Face to Meet the Faces A Foot, A Poem John Poch —from Diary of a Seducer by Søren Kierkegaard Unknown, take care your carriage-high descent in the dark. How this anxiety augments your loveliness, your step to the rough street. I could show you a story in a book by Tieck: a lady dismounting from her horse became so horribly entangled—this step remained her most definitive. Poorly built, the ladder on carriages can cause a scattered approach, a dire departure, or a fall into a servant’s arms. Therefore, of all professions, servants have it best: these slips reveal the secrets of such a young miss. But don’t jump, think of the slow, lax attendants (enamored of their own velvet resplendence) who might not catch your fall. Watch your silk dress, and make concessions for this foot’s finesse. For my regard, let that same foot, with care, fall forth into the broken world and dare to find a steady walk. Though should you not, then follow quickly with the other foot your graceful hurry, just as God intends. Like Cuvier we can observe an end of such detail, that a lovely foot can divine a loveliness. I’m thinking of your spine. ...