W.S. Merwin – The Solstice

“but we know how the minutes
fly out into the dark trees and vanish”

Ely Shipley – Hiatus

“A handsome solitude is not the same as loneliness”

R. A. Villanueva – Life Drawing

“And, in return, she will paint the whole of me”

Chen Chen – I Invite My Parents to a Dinner Party

“No security blankets.”

Christian Wiman – All My Friends Are Finding New Beliefs

“and my nights, and my doubts, and my friends, my beautiful, credible friends”

Rumi – Who Says Words with My Mouth

“I didn’t come here of my own accord, and I can’t leave that way.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.”

Marilyn Nelson – My Grandfather Walks in the Woods

“He is knocking on each tree, listening to their voices as they answer slowly deep, deep from their roots. I am John, he says, are you my father?”

Randall Jarrell – The House in the Woods

“Here at the bottom of the world, what was before the world And will be after, holds me to its back”

Aaron Smith – Boston

“I want so desperately
to be finished with desire,
the rushing wind, the still
small voice.”

Carl Phillips – Soundtrack for a Frame of Winter

“That the forest itself contains no apology doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. Or I’m not sorry. Or I didn’t hurt you.”

W.S. Merwin – The Present

“and when their hands met they laughed

Dilruba Ahmed – Phase One

“For growing a capacity for love that is great but matched only, perhaps,
by your loneliness”