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

To My Daughter Elizabeth

Mary Ann H. T. Bigelow

Two flowers upon one parent stem

Together bloomed for many days.

At length a storm arose, and one

Was blighted, and cut down at noon.

The other hath transplanted been,

And flowers fair as herself hath borne;

She too has felt the withering storm,

Her strength's decayed, wasted her form.

May he who hears the mourner's prayer,

Renew her strength for years to come;

Long may He our Lilly spare,

Long delay to call her home.

But when the summons shall arrive

To bear this lovely flower away,

Again may she transplanted be

To blossom in eternity.

There may these sisters meet again,

Both freed from sorrow, sin, and pain;

There with united voices raise,

In sweet accord their hymns of praise;

Eternally his name t' adore,

Who died, yet lives forevermore.

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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