ISSN: 1941-4137
POETRY THAT ENACTS THE ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE PURITY OF GLASS
POETRY THAT ENACTS THE ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE PURITY OF GLASS
Hannah Stephenson is a poet and editor living in Columbus, Ohio (where she also runs a literary event series called Paging Columbus). She is the author of Cadence (winner of the 2016 Ohio Chapbook Prize from the Wick Poetry Center), In the Kettle, the Shriek, and is series Co-Editor of New Poetry from the Midwest. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, 32 Poems, Vela, The Journal, and Poetry Daily.
"Abraham Lincoln," a poem by Abraham Lincoln
One day we will all be good
The high school seniors who lean on fences
and allow themselves to be photographed
The teachers who have grown sick of their own voices
The turtle who thinks, this is the one who feeds me
and for the turtle, this is love
How many times will the average human write her name
Answer: Thousands upon thousands
and each signature brings her closer
to owning nothing
How many times will a human say the name of the beloved
and hope that this is glue
Answer: Millions upon slippery millions
Abraham Lincoln really did write a poem called "Abraham Lincoln." It's only four lines, and you can read it here. Isn't it weird? My poem is a response to his poem, a consideration of what it means to be good or happy or loved.
Glass: A Journal of Poetry is published monthly by Glass Poetry Press.
All contents © the author.
All contents © the author.
