Do Not Desire Me, Imagine Me

by Mary Szybist

As Corpse                         Loosened, bare, profusely female,
                                              the pulse in my thigh
                                              unthreaded—

As Hair                              Clear of furies, of flowers,
                                              the shade of dry paste

As Skull                             Fissured:
                                              an unlit chandelier

As Dirt                               The ants sift through
                                              and soften

                                              And with no fingertips, imagine

As Dust                              You can hang the air on me

 

Mary Szybist’s first book, Granted, was published by Alice James Books in 2003 and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She teaches at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. (1/2007)