"St. Valentine, Bishop of Terni, probably beheaded, was also the patron saint of asthma, beekeepers, and epilepsy, [. . .]" by Lynne Thompson

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
February 16, 2023 

St. Valentine, Bishop of Terni, probably beheaded, was also the patron saint of asthma, beekeepers, and epilepsy, so he might have said

Lynne Thompson

love in the time of COVID is no different than 
love at any other time: that is, full of loneliness.

Only more so. Pre-COVID, there were possibilities:
clandestine meetings at Trader Joe’s, Fisk’s Jubilee 

Singers’ Balm in Gilead at Tuesdays’ pancake suppers.
All attempted All for naught. Post-COVID, love will still 

be a hungry disciple with her wimple being what it always
was; her overcoat continuing to thin in all the places it was

already thinning; her outline identical to that surrounding
a bloodhound, run over. And even that outline will dissolve. 

Some say that among COVID’s symptoms are a loss of 
taste, a loss of smell. And the love loss during this COVID-

without-end emits the stink of Valentine’s remains stashed
in reliquaries, a bitter taste of beetroot laid on his holy table.

Copyright © 2023 by Lynne Thompson. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on February 16, 2023, by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast 

  

“I began drafting this poem—originally titled ‘in the time of’—in February 2021, when the COVID pandemic was at its height and physical connections were almost non-existent. Upon receiving Patricia Smith’s invitation, I decided to revisit it and, in doing so, began to look at St. Valentine’s biography. I thought I could give a nod to him and his many professions and purported mode of death in the poem’s title while keeping the rest mostly true to its original intent. I suppose it’s more of an anti-love poem.”
Lynne Thompson

Lynne Thompson

Lynne Thompson is an African American poet and the author of Fretwork (Marsh Hawk Press, 2019). In 2021 she was named poet laureate of the city of Los Angeles, and in 2022 she was named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow.

Fretwork

Fretwork
(Marsh Hawk Press, 2019) 

“Oxymoronic Love” by Jennifer Militello
read more
“Love in a Time of Covid-19” by Craig Santos Perez
read more

Thanks to Patricia Smith, author of Unshuttered (Northwestern University Press, 2023), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Read or listen to a Q&A about Smith’s curatorial approach and find out more about our guest editors for the year.
“Poem-a-Day is brilliant because it makes space in the everyday racket for something as meaningful as a poem.” —Tracy K. Smith

If this series is meaningful to you, join the community of Poem-a-Day supporters by making a gift today. Now serving more than 320,000 daily subscribers, this publication is only possible thanks to the contributions of readers like you.
 
Copyright © 2023 The Academy of American Poets, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.



Our mailing address is:
The Academy of American Poets
75 Maiden Lane
St #901
New York, NY 10038

Add us to your address book


View this email in your browser

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from all Academy messages.

Older messages

"And more than the songs I sing, I await your written word"

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

February 14, 2023 Celebrate Valentine's Day with this selection of poems from Poets.org: “O Small Sad Ecstasy of Love” by Anne Carson “How the Stars Understand Us” by Christopher Gilbert “Song Out

"Wetland" by francine j. harris

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The sea is so far from us now. Partly I think because we Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 14, 2023 Wetland francine j. harris The sea is so far from us now. Partly I think because

"Love Poem Attempt 3/?" by Taylor Byas

Monday, February 13, 2023

I'll say it—the most remarkable way a man Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 13, 2023 Love Poem Attempt 3/? Taylor Byas I'll say it—the most remarkable way a man has touched

"Challenge" by Sterling A. Brown

Sunday, February 12, 2023

I said, in drunken pride of youth and you Facebook Twitter Instagram Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets

"The Venus of Milo" by Henrietta Cordelia Ray

Saturday, February 11, 2023

O peerless marble marvel! what of grace, Facebook Twitter Instagram Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets

You Might Also Like

#59: Period intimacy: how to stay comfortable and connected

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Female Health & Fertility magazine quarterly column ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

This French-Girl Dress Trend Is About To Be *Everywhere*

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Sexy and fresh. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 11.5.2024 This French-Girl Dress Trend Is About To Be *Everywhere* (Fashion) This French-Girl Dress Trend Is About To Be *Everywhere* Sexy and fresh.

New from Tim — "Jon Batiste — The Quest for Originality" (Plus: "No Booze, No Masturbating (NOBNOM) November Challenge")

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The latest from author and investor Tim Ferriss ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The "Reverse" Nail Polish Trend Is Taking Over Fall 2024

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Inspiration loading... The Zoe Report Beauty The Zoe Report 11.5.2024 (Beauty) The "Reverse" Nail Polish Trend Is Taking Over Fall 2024 (Nails) The "Reverse" Nail Polish Trend Is

6 Psychological Tricks Scammers Use Against You

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The Case for Going to Bed Early on Election Night. Sometimes you wonder how anyone falls for an obvious scam; but the truth is, we're all susceptible. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter

Happy News

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Paternity leave and guest authors ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

6 Psychological Tricks Scammers Use Against You

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The Case for Going to Bed Early on Election Night. Sometimes you wonder how anyone falls for an obvious scam; but the truth is, we're all susceptible. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter

"Pilates Princess" Makeup Is Trending & It's Sooo Pretty

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Plus, Blake Lively's all-white look, EmRata's Swiftie dress, your horoscope, & more. Nov. 5, 2024 Bustle Daily A gray elephant stands next to a smartphone displaying a political survey on a

What the Women Counting Your Votes Today Are Thinking

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Today in style, self, culture, and power. The Cut November 5, 2024 2024 ELECTION What the Women Counting Your Votes Today Are Thinking “My fear is someone dropping by and shooting the whole place up.”

Oppression? Or Freedom?

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Now we wait. OHF WEEKLY Oppression? Or Freedom? Now we wait. By Clay Rivers • 5 Nov 2024 View in browser View in browser 💛 Hey Reader, Regardless of the outcome of today's election, I want to put a