The Muse

Anna Akhmatova 1889 – 1966

When in the night I await her coming,

My life seems stopped. I ask myself: What

Are tributes, freedom, or youth compared

To this treasured friend holding a flute?

Look, she’s coming! She throws off her veil

And watches me, steady and long. I say:

“Was it you who dictated to Dante the pages

Of Hell?” And she answers: “I am the one.”

Mentioned in this episode:

Write After 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. If you want to join: Listen to a poem from the month of April on One Poem Only, then write your own in response. I will pick one for each day to read in June for a special series: One Poem After 🍎🍏 Submissions close May 15.

Write After Submissions Form