To Fall Is to Begin

Irina Vérène

i won’t be dragged

past the pearly gates—

i’ll leave of my own volition.

with these heavenly rules

stifling my breath,

i must say,

it seems a wise decision.

amidst the flames

and the curling smoke,

i shall rise anew—

after all,

a fall from heaven,

a descent to hell,

is a baptism, too.

More from Irina Vérène ↓

1. @queen_of_gore on Instagram
2. They are featured in Haunted Words Press' anthology, Our Dearest Devotions, which contains their flash fiction piece about friendship, fae magic, and gender transition.

Mentioned in this episode:

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.

One Poem Only Submissions Form