Summary

Poem 63. This poem is framed by images of a filled-in figure of a woman, leaping off a diving board; diving beautifully; and landing flat on her back. The final image is even with the final line of the poem (“that will be the death of me”), a poem in which the first-person speaker refers to herself as a romantic who always jumps, convinced that she will be caught and saved by those with whom she gets involved.

Poem 64. First person. The speaker describes conflict with her mother, who insists that those who love her (the speaker) do something about, or with, the love they say they feel for her.

Poem 65. “you were so distant / i forgot you were there at all” (83). Drawing: a door opening into darkness.

Poem 66. First person. The speaker narrates how her beloved tells her that if they...