1. Home
  2. Discover
  3. Lifestyle
  4. Poem-a-Day

Poem-a-Day - "I, Lover" by Elsa Gidlow

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
June 20, 2021 

I, Lover
Elsa Gidlow

I shall never have any fear of love, 
Not of its depth nor its uttermost height,
Its exquisite pain and its terrible delight.
I shall never have any fear of love.

I shall never hesitate to go down
Into the fastness of its abyss
Nor shrink from the cruelty of its awful kiss.
I shall never have any fear of love.

Never shall I dread love’s strength
Nor any pain it might give.
Through all the years I may live
I shall never have any fear of love.

I shall never draw back from love
Through fear of its vast pain
But build joy of it and count it again.
I shall never have any fear of love.

I shall never tremble nor flinch
From love’s moulding touch:
I have loved too terribly and too much
Ever to have any fear of love.

This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on June 20, 2021, by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast 

  

“I, Lover” originally appeared in On a Grey Thread (Will Ransom, 1923).
Elsa Gidlow, born on December 29, 1898, was a poet and philosopher. Her book, On a Grey Thread (Will Ransom, 1923), is believed by historians to be the first collection of openly lesbian love poetry published in North America. Her autobiography, Elsa: I Come With My Songs (Booklegger Press, 1986), was the first lesbian autobiography not published under a pseudonym. She died on June 8, 1986. 
On a Grey Thread
(Will Ransom, 1923)
“On the Road to the Sea” by Charlotte Mew
read more

“At a Dinner Party” by Amy Levy
read more

Thanks to Anaïs Duplan, author of Blackspace: On the Poetics of an Afrofuture (Black Ocean, 2020), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Read a Q&A about Duplan’s curatorial approach and find out more about our guest editors for the year. 
This free, daily series is made possible by our readers. If you’re able, please consider donating to support this work.
Become a monthly sustainer
join
Make a one-time gift
donate
Copyright © 2021 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 this list.

Older messages

"Our Land" by Langston Hughes

Saturday, June 19, 2021

We should have a land of sun, / Of gorgeous sun, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day June 19, 2021 Our Land Langston Hughes We should have a land of sun, Of gorgeous sun, And a land of

"Mourning" by Margarita Cruz

Friday, June 18, 2021

5 AM—the world is silent save for the heater Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day June 18, 2021 Mourning Margarita Cruz 5 AM—the world is silent save for the heater in the hallway, the cars

Poems for Graduation, Juneteenth, and LGBTQA+ Pride Month

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Plus browse poems and for Father's Day Facebook Twitter Instagram June 2021 Many students across the country are celebrating their end of year accomplishments. Read and share these poems for

"Who Hurt You" by LA Warman

Thursday, June 17, 2021

who hurt you here by the river Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day June 17, 2021 Who Hurt You LA Warman who hurt you here by the river at the supermarket who hurt you who saw you hurting who

"Voice Clear As" by Kemi Alabi

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

When my mom discovers heaven's just a noise festival Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day June 16, 2021 Voice Clear As Kemi Alabi When my mom discovers heaven's just a noise festival

You Might Also Like

Your gift to poetry matched!

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Today only. Dear Friend, I have some exciting news: an Academy board member has pledged to match any gifts made TODAY only, up to $20000. Your special gift in support of all the Academy's programs

Preserving Process

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Sometimes someone else says it best ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

India's Sign-Wallas: On the Brush on the Subcontinent

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Meena Kadri takes us to India to appreciate the flamboyant work of the country's 'sign-wallas'. BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture bl.ag online weekly

I’m Fine

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Is your story hindering or helping you? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

No Pain, All Gain

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Physical activity can protect you from chronic pain, a GPS wearable lets you train like the pros and your weekly recommendations. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

DO Manifesto: A new, live, online course.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

100 places only. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Falling into your ocean eyes

Thursday, April 25, 2024

But first: save $ — and earn rewards — on your prescriptions — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today April 25, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Together with goodrx But first: save $ — and earn

"Epistle" by Ellen Hinsey

Thursday, April 25, 2024

When the sky darkens with alabaster and mahogany— Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day April 25, 2024 Epistle Ellen Hinsey When the sky darkens with alabaster and mahogany —— Storm and

Kourtney Kardashian Wore The Ultimate 45th Birthday Bikini & WOW

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Vintage Dior, of course. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Should You Use 'Debt Avalanche' or 'Debt Snowball' to Pay Off Debt?

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

You Can Check a Car's VIN History for Free. These are two well-established methods that can help you systematically pay off your debts, but how do you decide which approach is right for your uni