Bodenheim’s speaker watches a young woman’s expression shift rapidly, as if her face were a small theater of moods. At first she wears a teasing, half-repentant insolence that seems to provoke even herself. Then a burst of confidence sweeps that away and leaves her looking, briefly, like a humble queen. But the poise collapses into something wild and impatient, then ashamed, until the energy drains out of her entirely. Her eyes go dark and hopeless, and her lips seem left over from a shattered attempt to remake herself. Finally the queen-like expression returns, but it is not triumphant: she stares at her crumpled hands, unsatisfied. The mood is tense and a little sorrowful, capturing a person caught between wanting to appear strong and feeling helpless.
Young Woman — Summary
So we have a face Cupped by tender insolences, Half repenting insolences Teasing their own angers. Then, a tense exuberance Brushes them away And burns a humbly erect Queen upon her face. This happens in the space Between a frown and indecision. Her face becomes forlornly wild, And a beggarly impatience Hovers into furtive shame. All the supplely intricate flame Vanishes, and leaves no mark. Her eyes are violently dark With a hopeless waiting; Her lips are isolated tatters-- All that is left of shattered recreating. Then, as quickly as she fled, The humble queen returns. Staring and unappeased She eyes her crumpled hands.