Poetry Magazine
Kinetics Researcher from Vienna, 1930
"Kinetics Researcher from Vienna [Max Thun-Hohenstetin], 1930," by August Sander
Nakedness ought to be undatable,
Proof that the latest phenotype is made
On the same plan as his original
Who sauntered through the Garden, unafraid.
Even without the cotton pouch he wears
As a concession to the prudery
Of viewers not evolved enough to share
His unembarrassed objectivity,
The willed detachment on his face would show,
Better than any clothes, the difference
Between the antique innocence that knows
No shame, and cultivated shamelessness.
Source: Poetry (April 2010).
Biography
Adam Kirsch’s The Modern Element: Essays on Contemporary Poetry (2008) is published by W.W. Norton. His second collection of poems is Invasions (Ivan R. Dee, 2008).
Poems by Adam Kirsch
Poem Categorization
SUBJECT Nature, The Body, Social Commentaries, History & Politics
Poetic Terms Rhymed Stanza
If you disagree with this poem's categorization, make a suggestion.
The Poetry Magazine Podcast: No Me, No You, No Opinions
Your results will be limited to content that appeared in Poetry magazine.
