Tuesday, August 30, 2016




There is this most interesting NY Times essay, Notice the Feet in that Body of Work by their senior dance critic Alastair Macaulay.

I have written often in my blogs about feet and how I think that feet are the ugliest part of the human body. I had never thought that dancers' feet would be the ugliest of all. I have had the privilege of being allowed to photograph the feet of Evelyn Hart and of Lauri Stallings. Their feet are not pretty like mine. I inherited my mother's. She often told me I had swimmer's feet even though I never swam with style.

In a trip to Florida for a travel magazine I was offered either a body massage or a pedicure at a luxury resort. I was much too embarrased to go for the former so I opted for the second.  I found myself in a room-full of women with feet in buckets gossiping. They all stopped yakking when they saw my feet. It was then that they asked me how old I was!

Not too long ago I wrote a fake blog about Isadora Duncan's feet.

I am coming around to finally appreciate the hidden beauty of some feet.


You'll know Her - by Her Foot - Emily Dickinson

You'll know Her—by Her Foot—
The smallest Gamboge Hand
With Fingers—where the Toes should be—
Would more affront the Sand—

Than this Quaint Creature's Boot—
Adjusted by a Stern—
Without a Button—I could vouch—
Unto a Velvet Limb—

You'll know Her—by Her Vest—
Tight fitting—Orange—Brown—
Inside a Jacket duller—
She wore when she was born—

Her Cap is small—and snug—
Constructed for the Winds—
She'd pass for Barehead—short way off—
But as She Closer stands—

So finer 'tis than Wool—
You cannot feel the Seam—
Nor is it Clasped unto of Band—
Nor held upon—of Brim—

You'll know Her—by Her Voice—
At first—a doubtful Tone—
A sweet endeavor—but as March
To April—hurries on—

She squanders on your Ear
Such Arguments of Pearl—
You beg the Robin in your Brain
To keep the other—still— 


There is no Frigate like a Book