One Poem Only

A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud. Prince of Marble Auri Tunglsdottir I’ve put you on a pedestal For some reason. One day it was there, And I put you up, It looked right. I’ve made you a statue of marble and gold, Shining in the dark – the moon looks dull compared to you; Glowing in the sun – that’s learning how to look golden from you. I’ve made you im...

Wednesdays on One Poem Only are Handpicked, a new feature where I go deeper into the poem of the day and discuss what made it stand out to me. Sunday Ritual Evyan Roberts Residing in her pink robe, the one with the acrylic zipper in the front and the unnecessary homemaker-like lace at the collar. She sets her matching orthopedic slippers, to the side, and kneels over the basin. Like praying to dei...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. The Return of Titans Kate M. Sine The last leaf of autumn falls, striking the door like a match, lighting our world with the magic from a distant universe. We watch the spirits pass us by at the window, our breath fogging the glass as the archaic creatures pad past, shepherding their kind to safety while the world sleeps throug...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. “Words don’t even flow to me anymore” Lisa Le Guiader Words don’t even flow to me anymore I think tiredness got me The source has gotten stabbed Strangled I think I’m getting tired having been let to storm and bleed it out, pouring this heart soft out In your arms On your chest...

One Poem More gathers all of this week’s poems from One Poem Only—an unhurried chance to listen again, or catch what you missed. This week’s poems What's Wrong with My Heart by Gillian Shiels A Few Weeks Into the Dreams by Jorge Lopez Llorente Benedict Fruit by Yonsiri Rojas Disjointed Conversations by Jean Wathugu Human-Nature by Katie-May Fincham In the Hot Spring Locker Room by Haley DiRenzo Pl...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. In the Hot Spring Locker Room Haley DiRenzo I saw naked women scrubbing salted skin as my mother ushered me past. Eyes lingered on bodies raw and round. Breasts dangling, bellies drooping. Sketched scars and stretch marks painted in different shades. Clay earth, bruised sky, blue vein. My own body was a girl’s then. Still, I’d...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Human-Nature Katie-May Fincham In the stillness of the awakening forest, where twilight dances with the dawn, human hearts pulse beneath the light rays, piercing the gloom like fragile promises. We wander, shadows flickering among blooms, breathing in the sweet scent of renewal...

A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud. Disjointed Conversations Jean Wathugu Because I saw that obligatory smile I am dismembering the foot in my mouth Your eyes like to wander in the middle of my lame anecdote So here’s my prosthetic humour So I can fake it enough to make it How about you write me a technical manual on how to be So in between the jargon I...

Wednesdays on One Poem Only are Handpicked, a new feature where I go deeper into the poem of the day and discuss what made it stand out to me. Benedict Fruit Yonsiri Rojas the goose hisses in its ivory crochet suit; sauntering the stoned road, a flinch of light bathing the pigeon’s pearls, the town’s brute animal—its local needful, lazy pal might have carved off some of its benedict fruit. the goo...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. A Few Weeks Into the Dreams Jorge Lopez Llorente Back then, a few bodies ago, you knew how to get your dreams delivered. You would sleep in the shape of a question mark and the empty side of the bed would be the silent answer. Now the silence is broken by you answering the door late, groggy. Now dreams are strangers’ hands, wit...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. What's Wrong with My Heart Gillian Shiels My heart is a little broken: Sometimes it does too much ticking And not enough tocking. It’s an electrical signal disruption, They tell me. I take my tablets every day And they help. Most of the time. But I worry. I can’t help it. Over...

One Poem More gathers all of this week’s poems from One Poem Only—an unhurried chance to listen again, or catch what you missed. This week’s poems Aching by Brittany Searle Kempaiah La Mariposa de Fierro by Christiane Williams-Vigil They Built the Wall Themselves by M. A. Dubbs Nine Novembers Later by Erin Zarro Shadow Infested Room by Himani Goel Show & Tell by Shahé Mankerian Plus one new on...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. Show & Tell Shahé Mankerian This poem was first published in Contemporary Verse 2 , Summer 2024 (Vol. 47, No. 1) To Lucille Clifton José lifted a rabbit from a corroded cage and said, “This is Jesús. We found him sleeping among the dead daffodils.” Elizabeth asked us to cover our ears “Because Beethoven was deaf,” she said...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Shadow Infested Room Himani Goel Closing the door on the shadow infested room? I say no I pull the curtains open. Shaky hands Windows stuck Strain harder pushed open with a rattle Sudden breeze hair swept away Curtains blown The wind takes the lead to start a dance with the mos...

A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud. Nine Novembers Later Erin Zarro TW: Violence Nine Novembers later You plucked flowers from my mouth and weaved them into a crown You sang me into submission and we made beautiful music together but in the morning, you didn't remember my name. When I wanted to leave you, you gave me sunlight, promised me forever, slid a...

Wednesdays on One Poem Only are Handpicked, a new feature where I go deeper into the poem of the day and discuss what made it stand out to me. They Built the Wall Themselves M. A. Dubbs On any given weekday on the east boardwalk of Port Washington, you’ll find fishermen of leisure. Long white beards, shirtless with an all over tan, crepey skin a canvas of tattoos; a visual storyboard of his trials...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. La Mariposa de Fierro Christiane Williams-Vigil The autumn leaves of American Beech flutter and cover her in quilt-like patches of many colors. To warm her through icy years and struggles of the 9 to 5. She sings not for those who are entangled in riches but lullabies those who are suppressed, silenced, and overlooked. The ones...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Aching Brittany Searle Kempaiah Unexpectedly. There are moments I relish my arms being my arms again. And then, I ache for you. I ache for the way you once fit in the crux of them your head on my bare chest. I ache for those moments I dreaded your screaming. and the way it seem...

Sundays on One Poem Only are reserved for the weekly recap, but since we were writing a poem a day with Write After in April, we haven’t had a break for a recap in a month. So today I’m reading a poem that perfectly encapsulates Write After. It is a cento and contains one line from each of the 30 poems shared on One Poem Only during April. April: A Poem Ella B. Winters She never whispers in my ear...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. Square Society Faye Simpson In the land of square people, They live ridged lives, With right angled rooms made to fit their intended occupants only, And the ridged rules silently spoken by every straight line, Bent and broken are often indistinguishable, For the square mind, In this curveless space, Everybody fits into their pl...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Everlong/Evergreen Dan Webber After an endless winter the spring has finally come, a reminder, that all things will pass eventually. In defiance, nature remains guarded by tall tree and howling wind. The beauty of the forest is untarnished. Frostbitten or sun kissed upon doorst...

I didn’t miss a day. Thank you for being here. For listening, for sharing, for writing, for championing poetry with me. There’s so much more to come. I dwell in Possibility – A fairer House than Prose – More numerous of Windows – Superior – for Doors – Of Chambers as the Cedars – Impregnable of eye – And for an everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky – Of Visitors – the fairest – For Occupation –...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Abstract WC Quinn My pieces appear askew, but I am no Picasso just a Girl Before a Mirror trying to love myself despite the flaws in my reflection I keep counting my brush strokes grooming tangles in penance. My tongue’s burden is language The She Wolf bellow calls to me; I don...

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now. Unlearning Perfection Mya Noelani I took up the task of unlearning perfection Because what is perfect anyway? Besides of bunch of standards we try to maintain to impress other people I’m learning that it’s okay that the same pile of clothes has sat on my floor for three days Or that I’m not always on my P’s and Q’s And that som...

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. You Are Poetry Emma-Jane Barlow I hope you know that you are poetry. Everything you do is art and you don't even know it. The way your eyes glisten and your whole face beams with light when you're happy. The way you sink into the sofa and hum a little to yourself at the end of...