Drawing

For Roland Barthes

From slanting reversals and denials,

doubting motions, is the line made, as with

the shoulder and body of a pen’s nib

dragged down across the page, and with 

pale flourishes of the fine tip,

correctives, to give the marks beginnings 

and endings, aligned, contradictory, 

and despite the eye’s keen sliding over 

edges, they cannot be read. 

It is not a popular inflection, 

however, like crushed velvet or lamé.

Animal prints. Like the woman making 

her lover beg for his pleasure. Sealing 

his mouth with kisses when he tries to speak.