This and That
is the demonstrative but
don’t-pin-me-down response.
It is the fear of voicing the idea too soon,
or revealing the secret no one wants.
It coyly averts fireworks:
either that palm-tree spread of leaves
that twinkle themselves out with awe,
or the burst and burn inside the chest,
sparks singing ribs with a hiss.
Sweet pronouns lean specific,
glance toward our common reference point,
imply we know what we’re talking about;
they are so much better
than the shrug of shoulders.
Anna Leahy is the author of Constituents of Matter, which won the …
