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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.
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This poem is a hoot. From topple on down to the Freudian bottom.
As an undergrad I once wrote a poem for a classmate I had a crush on. I included the line: your grace is your oriole face. When she read that line she got so mad she tore the poem up in front of me. Ever since, seeing grace in a poem leads back to that tragedy. Thanks, anyway.
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Hahahaha. Jim, I’m so glad you are keeping a record of these poetic moments. By the way, in an interview in a Chinese literary magazine, I quote one of the comments you made here…. stay tuned.
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What a witty poem and a witty reaction to it by Tim!
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Great fun. “Freudians not so much.” 🙂
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🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Grace and wit! I love it.
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He’s a poet of subtle intelligence and wit.
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Agree!
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This poem offers a beautiful definition of “grace” with the poem itself as an example.
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