St. Pancras Station, August 1915

Vera Brittain 1893 – 1970

One long, sweet kiss pressed close upon my lips,

One moment's rest on your swift-beating heart,

And all was over, for the hour had come

For us to part.

A sudden forward motion of the train,

The world grown dark although the sun still shone,

One last blurred look through aching tear-dimmed eyes—

And you were gone.

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One Poem Only submissions are open.

I’m filling the next chapter of One Poem Only and would love to include your work. Send me the poem you wrote and want the world to hear. New this round: if you’d like to read your own poem on the podcast, you can. No need for a perfect studio recording—just a clear audio file recorded in a quiet space. If you choose this option, you’ll submit your poem and an audio file of you reading it. Submissions close Thursday, July 30. I’ll respond by August 12. Whether I read your poem or you read it yourself, I’d love to hear what you’re ready to share.