Poem-a-Day - "My Dead Friends" by Marie Howe

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
February 22, 2022 

My Dead Friends

Marie Howe

My friends are dead who were

the arches    the pillars of my life 

the structural relief when

the world gave none.

 

My friends who knew me as I knew them

their bodies folded into the ground or burnt to ash.

If I got on my knees

might I lift my life as a turtle carries her home?  

 

Who if I cried out would hear me?

My friends—with whom I might have spoken of this—are gone.

Copyright © 2022 by Marie Howe. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on February 22, 2022, by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast 

  

“The poem speaks about Jason Shinder, Tony Hoagland, Lucie Brock-Broido, and Richard McCann: great souls, brilliant writers, deeply beloved friends. The italicized line is from The Duino Elegies by Rainer Maria Rilke. The first complete line of the first elegy is ‘Who, if I called out, would hear me among the angels’ hierarchies?’”
Marie Howe

Marie Howe is the author of Magdalene (W. W. Norton, 2017), among many other collections. The recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Bunting Institute, and the National Endowment for the Arts, she serves as a Chancellor at the Academy of American Poets.

Magdalene
(W. W. Norton, 2017)


“Audenesque” by Seamus Heaney
read more
“Gone is Gone” by Mark Wunderlich
read more

Thanks to John Murillo, author of Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry (Four Way Books, 2020), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Listen to a Q&A about Murillo’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
join
Copyright © 2022 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

"All the Time Blues Villanelle" by Tim Seibles

Monday, February 21, 2022

Hard to watch somebody lose their mind Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 21, 2022 All the Time Blues Villanelle Tim Seibles Hard to watch somebody lose their mind Maybe everybody

"We Pulled a Rose in Summer Time" by Elizabeth Curtis Holman

Sunday, February 20, 2022

We pulled a rose in summer time Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets each year, and share this series with

"No Images" by Waring Cuney

Saturday, February 19, 2022

She does not know / Her beauty, Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets each year, and share this series with

"The Flea" by Gail Mazur

Friday, February 18, 2022

“The flea,” that's what the year-rounders call it, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 18, 2022 The Flea Gail Mazur “The flea,” that's what the year-rounders call it,

"Standing by a Shelf" by Brandon D. Johnson

Thursday, February 17, 2022

When he looks at the edges, / The covers of books and records, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day February 17, 2022 Standing by a Shelf Brandon D. Johnson for Reuben When he looks at the

You Might Also Like

What kind of “ager” are you?

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

— Check out what we Skimm'd for you today November 26, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image Together with Hallmark But first: the holiday gifts they'll actually use Update location or

"The Home of the Sacred" by Ofelia Zepeda

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

The “sublime landscape” is not a place to catch a glimpse. Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day November 26, 2024 The Home of the Sacred Ofelia Zepeda Sublime landscapes were those rare places

2024 Beauty Gift Guide

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Three beauty buys for spoiling someone special who loves to be pampered. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Join the Men’s Health Membership Today and Lock In This Special Price.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Men's Health logo Men's Health MVP - Members Enjoy Exclusive Access to Content Don't miss out on everything Men's Health has to offer. Become a Men's Health MVP member and gain

The Classic Black Coat Every Stylish Woman Should Buy For Black Friday

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Happy sale shopping. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 11.25.2024 Yes, it's the most wonderful time of year but the holidays can also be stressful. If you're like me, you over-commit to

I Got a Six-Pack in 28 Days. Here's the Exact Plan I Used.

Monday, November 25, 2024

Thanks to this program and key lifestyle changes, my abs are defined and strong. Here's how you can do it, too. View in Browser Men's Health SHOP MVP EXCLUSIVES SUBSCRIBE I Got a Six-Pack in 28

Best Tech Deals From Target's Black Friday Sale (So Far)

Monday, November 25, 2024

For the Most Indulgent Stuffing, I Turn to the Croissant. You can find deals on iPads, Garmins, TCL TVs, Bose and Beats headphones, and more for their lowest prices ever. Not displaying correctly? View

Jennifer Lopez Wore 2 Glamorous Naked Looks In 1 Weekend

Monday, November 25, 2024

Plus, Katy Perry's futuristic bustier, your weekly tarot reading about love, daily horoscope, and more. Nov. 25, 2024 Bustle Daily Broadway's Elphaba, Mary Kate Morrissey, talks 'Wicked

Do We Really Need to Be Worried About Fluoride in Tap Water?

Monday, November 25, 2024

Today in style, self, culture, and power. The Cut November 25, 2024 HEALTH Do We Really Need to Be Worried About Fluoride in Tap Water? RFK Jr. called it “industrial waste.” But dentists, physicians,

Thanksgiving doesn’t need appetizers, hear us out

Monday, November 25, 2024

Upgrade your apple pie with a secret ingredient ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌