Rita Dove: Poems Glossary

Rita Dove: Poems Glossary

to quiver (from Adolescence-II)

to shake slightly, with an emotion attached to it,

e.g. quiver from lust, quiver from fear

to vanish (from Adolescence-II)

to suddenly disappear

e.g. to vanish into thin air

mournful (from Canary)

the expression of sadness or grief

e.g. a mournful day

topiary (from Flirtation)

an artfully clipped bush or shrub

e.g. the topiaries in the garden are beautiful

to reproach (from The Seven Veils of Salome)

to let someone know that you disapprove of their actions (in any way)

e.g. the circle of friends reproached the outsider for talking about Kelly behind her back

to scurry (from The Seven Veils of Salome)

to move quickly out of the way in small steps

e.g. the servants scurried away when they saw the lady of the manor

husk (from The Venus of Willendorf)

the dry outer cover of seeded fruits and flowers

e.g. the husks of the dead roses lie next to the dead bush

barbarous (from The Venus of Willendorf)

primitive, not evolved, brutal

e.g. the barbarous behaviour of the man caused her to run away

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