In the Library

Jean Valentine

Light drifts across the ceiling
as if we are under water

—whoever would approach you
you changed the comer

You holding on to the front of my coat
with both hands, the last time I saw you

—I felt your death coming close
—the change in your red lips

You gave me your hand.
You pulled me out of the ground.

About This Poem

“This was written about a beloved friend who had a great gift of life even when he was close to death himself.”
—Jean Valentine

Jean Valentine is the author of thirteen poetry collections. Her most recent book is Shirt in Heaven (Copper Canyon Press, 2015). In 2009, she received the Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets. She lives in New York City.

Photo credit: Max Greenstreet

Poetry by Valentine

Shirt in Heaven

(Copper Canyon Press, 2015)

"Red Lilies" by Barbara Guest

"At the Last" by Witter Bynner

"Bright Walls" by Richie Hofmann

January Guest Editor: Kaveh Akbar

Thanks to Kaveh Akbar, author of Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James Books, 2017), who curated Poem-a-Day this month. Read more about Akbar and our other guest editors for the year.

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January 18, 2018