Poems We Carry: A Thank You
In celebration of Read A Little Poetry's 20th anniversary, I set out to ask poets: What poem do you carry in your heart? 89 poets answered.
Telephone Booth (number 905 1/2) by Pedro Pietri
“I am feeling too good / to report to work today, / if I feel sick tomorrow / I will come in early” — Pedro Pietri
It’s A Lot by Jon Sands
“It's a lot to not get your feelings hurt, / to let emotions pass through you, / to see your mother look like your grandmother. / It's all very necessary, but it's still a lot—” — Jon Sands
Elegy by Aracelis Girmay
“This is the only kingdom. / The kingdom of touching; / the touches of the disappearing, things.” — Aracelis Girmay
Beach by Tracy Fuad
“I’m gonna be totally okay // Maybe buy two jackets // I’m going to be just fine“ — Tracy Fuad
Glamor on the West Streets / Silver Over Everything by Hanif Abdurraqib
“isn’t it funny, to vow that you will love someone until you are dead.” — Hanif Abdurraqib
In the Tradition of Women Who’ve Blessed Me to Transfer Their Virtues by Asa Drake
“One year / in the middle of my life // I asked how full do I want to be.” — Asa Drake
Morgan Moonscar by Tom Snarsky
“The window of time between now / and universal heat death is enough / for one real apology, so we’d better / make it a good one” — Tom Snarsky
Pleasure by Rick Barot
“On fewer days I agree / with the poet’s dread of being / the wrong person in the right world” — Rick Barot
Afterlife Inventory by Arah Ko
“are you bringing the dead are you bringing / the living will they testify for you or against you” — Arah Ko