Summary

In “Almost Human,” the speaker reflects on his relationship with his body. He considers the way reading and writing changed him. He remembers the way words saved him when he was hospitalized. While considering his ancestry and cultural history, he realizes how words and song saved his ancestors, too.

In “Dear Rose,” the speaker addresses his mother now that she is gone (96). He thinks of his mother’s past life, and what she suffered. To feel better, the speaker takes “a long walk alone,” but it does not help (97). He has to touch his shadow to find some sense of truth (97). On the ground, he notices an ant carrying another dead ant “on / his shoulders” (97). The image reminds him of his mother’s brother’s death.

The speaker remembers a day he was helping his...