Terence Degnan
The Pious Hour
for Vincent Lionti
you can say it with me
if you’re awake, too
not her
please, anyone
nobody else
please
he plays the violin
save him
give him back to us
please, please
she makes poems
please
you can say it with me
even after they take the violinist
even if the handset
is at the bottom of a pond
if you’re awake, too
—Submitted on 04/10/2020
Terence Degnan has published two full-length books of poetry. He is a co-director at the Camperdown Organization which was created to increase access to publication and education as well as promote agency for underrepresented writers.
SUBMIT to What Rough Beast via our SUBMITTABLE site.
If you enjoyed today’s poem and you value What Rough Beast, consider making a donation to Indolent Books, a nonprofit poetry press.