LEGS

Spirit of Wisdom speaks to Maker: “Friend,
I’m glad to view the blueprints for the ventured
God-clone Adam. Conceding his essential
Patterning is a soul and spirit blend,

I have to question the bodily design.
I like the legs for running, the head for data
Receiving and planning, the hands for facilitator
Fashioning and fondling, and the benign

Pockets for reproduction. The chief defect
I warn against is the lofty bipedal stance.
Should fragments of God depict the inheritance
Of birds and apes and performing dogs? Reflect

On the equilibrium multiple feet have supplied,
And the tottery balance that monstrous ankles don’t hide.

(145, January 19, 1994)

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