Taking Place

Once we liked the conspicuous

but constrained,

the push-up bra

under the shirt-waist,

a small bow

at the throat,

the appearance

of a struggle

toward the diminutive,

the punctum.

The slender

second hand

jerking forward

as if helpless,

making its same sound.

We might stand

in a thicket

where a battle had

taken place

and be thrilled

by the far-off roar

of traffic