One of the first poems I ever had published—outside of my college literary magazine—was in a literary review that came in the mail to me in one of those manila clasp envelopes. This was back in the days when you submitted your work by postal mail, and you found literary journals to submit to by going to the public library and looking through a hardback copy of Writer’s Market (at least that’s how I did it). The waiting was long, and sometimes the journals weren’t what you expected (one time, the journal that arrived with my published poem was a tiny, stapled thing, about three inches by three inches—size had never been mentioned, and I suppose ultimately it didn’t matter, but I did find it startling). 

I remember being so proud of that first publication, so much so that I toted the literary review, kept in its original envelope, to all the various apartments and towns I moved to over the years. I probably still have that envelope and the review somewhere. I felt like my voice, however small, had been heard.

I’ve been thinking a lot about people having their voice heard, how much it matters.

Poetry does that. It gives us a place to say our truths, to work out our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and to offer the world a glimpse into how we think, and into who we are. Poetry helps us to understand one another.

Each week of National Poetry Month (every April), I share poems I love with you, my readers, in the hope that the poems will inspire you as much as they have inspired me. For those of you who think you don’t like poetry, I hope you will give these poems a chance to change your mind.

I know it’s only the eve of National Poetry Month, but I can’t wait. I want to start celebrating these important voices. So we begin with Marilyn Nelson, who graciously allowed me to post her poem here. 

This poem is posted here with permission by the poet, Marilyn Nelson. It was published last June by The New Yorker. You can read the poem on The New Yorker site as well as listen to the poet read the work here. Learn more about Marilyn Nelson here, and buy her books here. (I also recommend this interview with her on the On Being podcast.)

I cannot thank you enough, Marilyn Nelson, for this poem.

Readers, I have a great month of poems lined up. See you again next week.

Photo credit of typewriter: rishi