a poem a day, more or less
Take the used-up heart like a pebble
and throw it far out.
Soon there is nothing left.
Soon the last ripple exhausts itself
in the weeds.
Returning home, slice carrots, onions, celery.
Glaze them in oil before adding
the lentils, water, and herbs.
Then the roasted chestnuts, a little pepper, the salt.
Finish with goat cheese and parsley. Eat.
You may do this, I tell you, it is permitted.
Begin again the story of your life.
— Jane Hirshfield
The Gladdest Thing is meant to be a repository of good poems. You can read them here, or subscribe to have them emailed to you as new poems are posted. The site is maintained by Michelle McGinnis.
"The Gladdest Thing" is a phrase from Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Afternoon on a Hill".
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