Shownotes
One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.
What We Don’t Put Away
Nicole Shepherd
It’s mid-April,
and the Christmas tree is still up.
I’ve stopped turning the lights on.
The crinkled plastic branches
block the window unit I’ll need next month.
When I dragged the box out in November,
the lights warmed the icy air—
made me believe
in peace on earth,
goodwill to men.
But now I’m tired.
The faux limbs droop with evergreen shame.
I can do the dishes
or put it away—
not both.
Typical.
A bowl full of jelly turned shame mascot.
Even the Easter Bunny won’t stop by.
I’m tired of marking time
by what I haven’t done.
I want to carry the tree to storage,
a singular pallbearer,
before I need one.
Let me mark time by what I manage—
even if it’s small.
Even if it’s late.
Even if it’s just this.
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Poetry slows us down. Thank you for listening.
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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.
