Of something, separate, not Whole; a role, something to play While one is separate or parting; Also a piece, a section, as in Part of me is here, part of me Is missing; an essential portion, Something falling to someone In division; a particular voice Or instrument (also the score For it), or line of music; The line where the hair Is parted. A verb: to break Or suffer the breaking of, Become detached, Broken; to go from, leave, Take from, sever, as in Lord, part me from him, I cannot bear to ever
Forthcoming in Mercury (Penguin, 2001); originally published in The New Yorker. Reprinted with permission by Penguin Books. Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.