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 ↓

1. @_mariacorcoran on Instagram
2. @mariacorcoran on Substack
3. 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.

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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.

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