What we need now
is glow…
The sort of night that embers make
The sound in nests
or apples’ shapes
A glow that gives more than it takes
The kind of spoons or rakes
or that neighbors love
Those hailing lights from distant shores
that warm the boats
We need the wool of passing years
or more
What holding close does
when so little is near
Copyright 2020 Hiram Larew
An earlier version of this poem appeared in North of Oxford’s Pandemic Poetry Online Anthology
Bio:
Hiram Larew’s poems have appeared widely and have been nominated for four Pushcarts. His Poetry X Hunger initiative is bringing poets and poetry to the anti-hunger cause. He lives in Churchton, MD. On Facebook at Hiram Larew, Poet.
Donation Appeal:
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout.
As you view the work on this site each day, we would like to encourage you to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Their mission “ is to feed our neighbors in need by providing dignified access to supplemental groceries. AFAC is seeing a record number of families due to the COVID-19 pandemic as families who never thought they would ever be in need are now showing up at our doors for much needed food.” And, in keeping with our hunger-focused efforts, you may also want to visit the Poetry X Hunger website where poems by many poets are posted and are being used by anti-hunger organizations.”
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout.
Please consider donating to AFAC. If you do, let us know which poet or artist inspired you so we can send you a personal thank you.
If you send a donation, please let us know.
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And thank you for your visit and your generosity.
I adore this poem. I glow.
Hiram has a gift for going to the heart of the matter: “What holding close does / when so little is near.” I love the radiance of this poem. Keep glowing!
Hiram, only you could manage to evoke a glow in such dim circumstances! Congratulations!