Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Dorianne Laux’s "The Secret of Backs" is a celebration of the often-overlooked elements of human anatomy, particularly the backs of bodies, rendered with an exquisite attention to detail and an undercurrent of sensual admiration. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical exploration of these subtle features, the poem elevates the mundane into a tapestry of beauty, individuality, and shared humanity.

The poem opens with a focus on the worn-down heels of shoes, which serve as metaphors for individuality and habit, each wear pattern a “signal to the spine.” This connection between the external and internal—the visible evidence of a life lived and its unseen impact—sets the tone for the poem’s exploration of hidden or overlooked aspects of the human form. Laux invites readers to consider the poetry of small details, such as the "creases of American-made jeans" in winter, or the “pleating and un-pleating of parchment skin” in summer. These observations bridge the tactile and the visual, suggesting that our backs, though often unnoticed by ourselves, are alive with stories and moments.

The poem’s tone is one of playful reverence, particularly when addressing “the dear, dear rears.” Laux leans into the humor and charm of human variation, celebrating the ways people choose to dress or reveal themselves. From high belts to low-slung jeans that evoke “plumbers,” the diversity of personal expression becomes a point of affectionate delight. Each choice reflects a fragment of identity, and Laux frames this individuality as both tender and worthy of admiration.

The exploration of tattoos on the lower back—“butterflied, rosed, winged, whorled”—continues this theme of personal expression. The permanence of ink on skin juxtaposed with its fleeting newness—“still pink from the needle and ink”—underscores the body as both a canvas and a participant in the passage of time. Laux’s attention to shoulders and hair adds layers to this tapestry, emphasizing the interplay between form and texture, from “frothy waterfalls of uncut hair” to the stark simplicity of baldness, which reveals the “flanged, sun-flared, flamboyant backs of ears.”

The poem peaks in its meditation on the nape of the neck, which Laux describes as an “oh my” moment of attraction and vulnerability. The repetition and emphasis—“The up-swept oh my nape of the neck”—underscore the sensuality of this particular feature. It’s an intimate detail, one that draws the speaker into a state of awe and even love, as they imagine following behind someone and surrendering to the quiet pull of their presence.

The final plea, “Don’t stop. Don’t turn around,” suggests an appreciation for the anonymity and mystery of observing backs. This closing line reflects the duality at the heart of the poem: the desire to connect deeply with another while also preserving the distance that allows for wonder. It’s an acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of such moments, where beauty lies in its impermanence and the impossibility of fully knowing another person.

"The Secret of Backs" invites readers to pause and consider the overlooked aspects of human beauty. By focusing on the hidden, the mundane, and the often-dismissed, Laux transforms ordinary observations into an extraordinary celebration of individuality and shared humanity. The poem reminds us that even the most unassuming parts of our bodies carry grace, mystery, and stories worth noticing.

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