LightShannon WestI’m afraid of the dark and so is heWe hold each other close and drift off into dreamsThe closet light is on - just how we like itLight spills from beneath the door bathing the room in its warmthThe basement, being alone, silence, death - belong to the darkThe kitchen table, love, togetherness, life - belong to the lightKindred spirits safe in our nestWe don’t need to fear the shadowsWe can see them as well as they can see usThe irony is not lost on me that when we are most at peace, we close our eyesEmbracing the darknessI am empatheticBecause I still fear the darkMaybe moms aren’t supposed to admit thatI don’t think it’s a weaknessIt just isBut what a privilege it isTo be his light now

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1. @shannonswriting on Instagram

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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