“Three the Hard Way”

I really enjoyed reading “Three the Hard Way.” I think this is a really good poem. It is clear what the poem is about, but I think the language of the poem is not explicit. The author did a great job with hinting and suggesting what is going on without actually coming out and saying “this poem is about sex—specifically about a threesome.” We get it. One thing I really enjoy about this poem is the repetition of the two lines: “He breathes / She giggles.” This occurs at four different times throughout the poem and it serves to emphasize a regular pulse. The language and rhythm of the poem also reinforces the feel of a sexual act. The poem reaches intensity towards the bottom of the poem with the lines:

Twisted and tangled
His arm, my head
Her hand his leg

After this point, the rhythm slows again: “Thoughts fly by / Bouncing around,” thus mimicking a sexual encounter. I think this is a very effective technique because the actual feel of the poem really makes us connect with the content. My complaints and suggestions are few and far between. My first suggestion is to remove the first line, “You ready?” and just begin with the first set of “He breathes / She giggles.” My second suggestion is to regularize the punctuation in the poem. Although I like the form of the poem, I think tightening it up with punctuation would help to unify it. Overall, I really enjoy “Three the Hard Way,” and it feels pretty complete as it is.