You Are Poetry by Emma-Jane Barlow | One Poem Only

One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. You Are PoetryEmma-Jane BarlowI hope you know that you are poetry.Everything you do is artand you don't even know it.The way your eyes glistenand your whole face beamswith light when you're happy.The way you sink into the sofaand hum a little to yourself atthe end of a hard day.The way you hold the dooropen for a stranger and smile,or the way you speak to animalswhen you seem them pass by.The way you see gift givingas the most precious wayto know someone andthe time and care you put into it.The way you stand underthe downpour of waterat the end of your shower,to feel a rush of gratitudefor simply being alive.The way you watch the steamrise when you make a cup of teaand wonder where it disappears to.The way you love others witha fierce yet gentle loyalty,you always see the best in people,even when they don't deserve it.The way you push out yourtongue when you concentrateand how your fingers dance whenyou're nervous or excited.Even when the poems don't flow,I want you to know,that you are poetry.Never forgetthat everything you doand all that you areis pure magic.More from Emma-Jane Barlow ↓@emmajanepoetry on Instagram@emmajanebarlow on SubstackHer books, Darkness & Light & Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition, are out nowSupport + Stay Connected to OPOIf you’d like to support the show, Substack and Patreon members receive a copy of my book, For My Daughter, along with episodes from the audiobook.Poetry slows us down. Thank you for listening.Mentioned in this episode:Write After with One Poem OnlyWrite 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