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Louise Gluck -- Exacting Beauty

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paralyzing body--

and the cry that always escapes,

the low, humiliating

premise of union--

In my mind tonight

I hear the question and pursuing answer

fused in one sound

that mounts and mounts and then

is split into the old selves,

the tired antagonisms. Do you see?

We were made fools of.

And the scent of mock orange

drifts through the window.

How can I rest?

How can I be content

when there is still

that odor in the world?

Mary Karr has published four books of poems, most recently "Sinners Welcome."

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