Poetry Magazine
Biology
Is this happiness or oyster-life?
This flexing of muscular torso-foot
joy’s wonder? This sifting of silt
from food in the shifting chill-dark?
If, in my mind, there is a life of flight
in the light beyond the over-swirl,
must I unfix my lips from this rock
to be right? Or is my apex to worry
quartz against my shell?
Source: Poetry (July/August 2008).
Biography
Stephen O’connor is the author of Rescue (1989), Will My Name Be Shouted Out? (1997), and Orphan Trains. He teaches in the MFA programs of Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College.
Poem Categorization
SUBJECT Nature, Stars, Planets, Heavens, Animals, The Body
If you disagree with this poem's categorization, make a suggestion.
Your results will be limited to content that appeared in Poetry magazine.
