Dewitt Henry: On Grace

Economy and naturalness,
as in ballet, or basketball’s dunk,
or skater’s twirl, leap and glide.
Body’s flow seems effortless.

Opposite of clumsy.
halting, forced. Off balance.

Yet both ideas combine
in “graceful fall,” like that
promised by self-pity.
Richard Yates’s Walter Henderson
at nine prided himself
on losing toy gunfights:

“the performer would stop, turn,
and stand poised for a moment
in graceful agony, pitch over and fall
down the hill in a whirl
of arms and legs…and finally fall flat”;

then as an adult, having been fired,
he performs the gesture for his wife.

Surely talent and success
seem only earthly goals;
mere metaphors for blessings
beyond reward or wit.

Say grace over grease and gravy;
mumble thanks for food,
good fellowship, abundance.

Theologians are big on it.
Especially, say, George Herbert,
or Jonathan Edwards.
Freudians not so much.

~~~~

Copyright 2026 Dewitt Henry

Dewitt Henry’s many books include a collection of poems, Do I Dream Or Wake? (Pierian Springs, 2025) and Sweet Marjoram: Notes and Essays (Plume/Madhat, 2018). He was Founding editor of Ploughsharesliterary magazine, and active editor and director 1971-1995.