The Waist Is Larger than the Belt
The waist is larger than the belt–
For put them side by side–
The one the other will exceed
With ease–it cannot hide–
The foot is wider than the shoe–
For try them inch by inch–
The one the other won’t fit in–
Without a mighty pinch–
The mouth is greater than the will–
For test them both with cake–
The one the other will subdue–
As anodyne quells ache–
A Narrow Fellow in the Glass
A narrow fellow in the glass
Is what I yearn to see–
But much I must forgo, alas
To make a slimmer me.
No cookies, brownies, cake, or pie–
I may become unstrung.
The pleasure healthful foods supply
Is zero at the tongue.
Both poems originally appeared in The Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin
Felicia Nimue Ackerman is a professor of philosophy at Brown University and has had about 200 poems published in a wide range of places.
Sparks of Calliope 