One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.

AmalgamationSophia JamesI walk to the top of the hill,The Sheffield hillThat made my accent broadMy legs - wide and sturdy,And my body - strong.The same bodyThat my Mother’s Mother’sMother had.The body that belongs to me,And in it, I belong.I stand at the top of the hill,Held up by my legs.I stick my belly out,My top rides up, and I feel a breeze.I feel the wind tickle my fingers,I clutch the air and squeeze.I clench the fingersI see my Grandma in.The fingers, my GrandmaSees her Daughter inThe fingersThat let us share ringsAnd hold onto thingsAnd peopleThat we love.The fingersThat my baby sister gripped,When she learned to stomp her legsUp the hill.That I now look over.Suddenly the noiseFizzles out.And this silence,Sets me free.My body is an amalgamationOf the womenBeforeAnd after me.

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Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice.

We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

#WriteAfterOPO