Lines 1—10

"In Particular" begins by introducing the concept of "Recognition in the body." Byrne notes that this recognition, or consciousness, "moves like a swarm of bees: you know all / over at once." This language evokes an image that many readers can relate to, the moment when something unclear or unknown becomes instantly clear or known. This feeling of sudden inspiration, or the commonly defined "a-ha" moment, cannot be predicted; it just happens. Byrne begins to explore the effect of this inspirational feeling, beginning in the second half of the third line: "Your place / in history has not been betrayed," she writes. This may seem an odd use of language to some readers, but it becomes clearer upon further examination. When Byrne says "place / in history," she is discussing the actual life history of a person, the realistic details that make up one's daily life. This tangible realism...