Shownotes
One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.
Museum of Mourning
Maria Corcoran
This poem was first published in the Raven Review.
Ocean of silent, aching desires
Drowned before even taking form
Guiltless, carried to the pyre
Snuffed and swallowed, not yet born
O lulling waves of strangled dreams,
Why do you refuse to die?
Trying even now to be heard, be seen
From below the depths wherein you lie
With your unclosing eyes full of blame,
Every gurgled breath you heave,
Ties me a knot borne of your pain
You wish to take me as you leave
You, every dream never dared dreamt
A drop in this vast cemetery
Your revenge is your lament
A cruel memoir of what I’ve buried
Sharp-edged guilt, bleeding grief
Your torment is mine to keep
Unintended sweet deceit
My regrets are your motifs
Is this your oath,
Either drive me mad
Or kill us both?
Perhaps it is a fitting end,
Succumbing to these rooted wounds
That I will, you will never mend
Turning inside out, self-exhumed
Quiet rage, quiet torment
Undeclared indictment
Punishment for what I’ve done–
A dictated requisite crime--
To be forever on the run,
For a choice that wasn’t mine
More from Maria Corcoran ↓
- @_mariacorcoran on Instagram
- @mariacorcoran on Substack
- Maria is looking for authors and poets that write and appreciate Gothic literature. If you happen to be a poet who writes rhyming/structured poetry, she would like to connect for potential writing collabs and community building.
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Poetry reminds us what matters. Thank you for listening.
