One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.

Untamed

Toni Young

My hair is a cascade

of the most unruly waves.

I’ve flattened her with a straightener,

but she identifies as unbridled.

I’ve loaded her with products

to keep her calm,

but she prefers to burst through

everything that weighs her down.

I’ve since resigned myself

to her defiance.

When my friend said

I reminded her of a lion

because of my wild hair,

I laughed.

And then I roared.

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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