Poem-a-Day - "Ancestry" by Tommy Archuleta

Support Poem-a-Day

March 3, 2023

Ancestry

Tommy Archuleta

1.
I can’t believe what the moon wrote
For the valley’s dying to find

—something

About the musky scent of lilacs this
Late in the year, darkening

Further the songs of the trees—
Where does she get off upstaging me?

2.
Moloch—
The first angel banished from Heaven

For hocking his mother’s wedding band
for booze—

Wasn’t it you who first said, Sorrow
Cares nothing for how long one weeps—

Or was it Schumann—
You or Haydn’s oboes who first moaned,

Suffering—

Enter it through any gate you choose
And stay there, until the strings come in?

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast

“‘Ancestry’ is from a longer sequence of poems titled ‘Bone Harvest,’ a full-length work intent on unearthing relics long buried in the mind, spirit, and body, such as sorrow, regret, embarrassing missteps galore, suffering (self-caused, mostly), and, most certainly, all manner of traumas. ‘Ancestry’ is out to dance with both suffering and sorrow, knit them winter sweaters, feed them boxed chocolates flown in from France. ‘Ancestry’ can’t help but brag about her inherited addiction to classical music, which she uses to cloak and distract from the fact that she herself comes from a long line of conquerors masquerading as armored do-gooders. Sometimes, she is a genus of orchid dangerously nearing extinction.”
—Tommy Archuleta

Tommy Archuleta is the author of Susto, forthcoming this April from the Center for Literary Publishing at Colorado State University, as well as Fieldnotes from Lily Poetry Review & Press. A mental health therapist for the New Mexico Corrections Department, he lives on the Cochiti Reservation in New Mexico.

Susto
(University Press of Colorado, 2023)

“Moving the Bones” by Rick Barot
read more

“pitter/patter” by heidi andrea restrepo rhodes
read more

Thanks to Diane Seuss, author of frank: sonnets (Graywolf Press, 2021), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Read or listen to a Q&A about Seuss'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.

donate

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.

For any other questions, please visit the Poem-a-Day FAQ page.

Older messages

"Look" by Maxine Scates

Thursday, March 2, 2023

The dead are breathing inside me now, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day March 2, 2023 Look Maxine Scates The dead are breathing inside me now, everything slowing to the pace of the newt

Take the Dear Poet survey

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Give us your feedback for a chance to win a free tote bag Facebook Twitter Instagram We want your feedback! Teachers, we would like to gather your feedback on how you use Dear Poet in your classroom.

"Hey," by Jose Hernandez Diaz

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

With the intention of abandoning the hierarchies of capitalism— Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day March 1, 2023 Hey, Jose Hernandez Diaz With the intention of abandoning the hierarchies of

"Unmoved — she notes the Chariots"

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

February 28, 2023 Celebrate Women's History Month in March with a selection of poems from Poets.org: “Sugar” by Tina Chang “Batter My Heart, Transgender'd God” by Meg Day “Equivalents” by

"No Room to Form" by John S. Blake

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Ain't no form out here / I'm your blade cleaving leaving Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 28, 2023 No Room to Form John S. Blake Ain't no form out here I'm your

Surprise Sci-Friday Flash Fiction

Sunday, April 2, 2023

The Storyletter cross-posted a post from The Enormous Room Winston MaloneApr 2 · The Storyletter Dear Reader, There is an ongoing prompt for The Storyletter called “Exploring the Unknown”. When writers

This $27 Dress From Amazon Looks So Expensive On

Sunday, April 2, 2023

No wardrobe is complete without it. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Any of These 13 Unbreakable Steel Watches Are Worth the Investment

Saturday, April 1, 2023

If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser. Men's Health The Check Out Welcome to The Check Out, our newsletter that gives you a deeper look at some of our editors' favorite

F*#king First Times and Why They're Great Even When They Suck

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Plus Hunter Chicken Pot Pie ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The 'Real' History of April Fools' Day (and Why It Isn’t Funny Anymore)

Saturday, April 1, 2023

The origins of everyone's least favorite "holiday" are shrouded in mystery.... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Do everything better Saturday, April 1, 2023 Holidays The

100 things you loved last month

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Plus: A deal on Supergoop ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Win A Luxurious Tropical Escape To The Caribbean!

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Relax & recharge in paradise. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

To Build a Store | Using print on demand to create additional revenue streams

Saturday, April 1, 2023

XPress Access | April 2023 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Daily Skimm Weekend: It was you, only you

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Skimm'd while shopping for TSA-approved toiletry bags — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today April 1, 2023 Subscribe Read in browser Daily Skimm WEEKEND Header Image Skimm'd while

Nature Walking

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Taking a breath ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌