A Jelly-Fish by Marianne Moore

A Jelly-Fish by Marianne Moore

Author: Maggie Devers June 10, 2025 Duration: 1:38

A Jelly-Fish

Marianne Moore 1887 – 1972

Visible, invisible,
A fluctuating charm,
An amber-colored amethyst
Inhabits it; your arm
Approaches, and
It opens and
It closes;
You have meant
To catch it,
And it shrivels;
You abandon
Your intent—
It opens, and it
Closes and you
Reach for it—
The blue
Surrounding it
Grows cloudy, and
It floats away
From you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write 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. We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

#WriteAfterOPO


Each day, One Poem Only offers a brief, deliberate pause. Hosted by Maggie Devers, this podcast is built on a simple, consistent premise: a single poem, read aloud, without analysis or introduction. It’s an audio space where the words themselves are the event, a performance meant to be absorbed in the few minutes it takes to hear it. The daily rhythm of the show creates a quiet ritual, a point of reflection woven into a busy life. You might hear a classic sonnet, a piece of modern free verse, or a work from a poet you’ve never encountered. The selection is varied, touching on themes from the natural world to the intricacies of human emotion, always leaving room for your own interpretation. The effect is cumulative; listening regularly becomes a subtle form of education in the sound and scope of poetry, and a small act of self-care. This isn't a lecture or a book club, but a performing art delivered directly to your ears. Maggie’s clear, thoughtful readings provide the only framework needed, allowing each poem to stand entirely on its own. The curtain falls, and the moment passes, but the podcast invites you to return tomorrow when a new piece takes center stage, offering another quiet moment, one poem only.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 355

One Poem Only
Podcast Episodes
Butterflied, oh by Yonsiri Rojas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11
One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.Butterflied, ohYonsiri RojasIfish-eyed, butterflied collectionof furrowed bones composed of dustand glitter scattered throughout the meadowthe gray-hu…
Every Cell Misses You by Dolon Pramanik | One Poem Only [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:42
One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise. Every Cell Misses YouDolon PramanikEvery single cell in my body calls your name.It’s like they all…
Sunday Recap & All the Words for Blue by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:21
Here’s your recap of this week’s poems plus one new poem to carry us into the week ahead.Feb 2 Light by Shannon West @shannonswriting on Instagram.Feb 3 The Cloak of Quiet Light by Dorothy Howls @thehumanspell on Instagr…
Magnetism by Emma Lazarus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:06
Magnetism Emma Lazarus By the impulse of my will,By the red flame in my blood,By me nerves' electric thrill,By the passion of my mood,My concentrated desire,My undying, desperate love,I ignore Fate, I defy her,Iron-heart…
glass half by Michaela Godding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53
glass halfMichaela GoddingI’m sorryfor this mess all over the all overthe carpetdragging at my heelslike a half dead doglook at memy empty is so bigmy stomach fullof starsunapologizingon the way downat least I can sayI b…
On My Own by Srishti Jain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05
On My OwnSrishti JainIn the air of the city,I feel like a hermitsauntering across landscapewith lavendersand a breezethat welcomes mewhere I always belonged.It is serene watersthat touch my stormwishing me luckto never s…
Dreams by Cecilia Knight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11
DreamsCecilia Knighti’m three months postpartumand i’m dreaming againnot the kind you get when you’re asleepwhat is sleep anyway?the kind you get when you’re awakewhen your eyes are openand you feel alivethe kind of drea…
The Cloak of Quiet Light by Dorothy Howls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43
The Cloak of Quiet Light Dorothy Howls I weave a thread of silver-white, around my chest, soft-shielded tight. A shimmer-glow no eye can see, but here it stands, protecting me. No harsh word sticks, no shadow stays, I’m…
Light by Shannon West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:29
LightShannon WestI’m afraid of the dark and so is heWe hold each other close and drift off into dreamsThe closet light is on - just how we like itLight spills from beneath the door bathing the room in its warmthThe basem…
Sunday Recap & Through the Sound by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:02
Here’s your recap of this week’s poems plus one new poem to carry us into the week ahead.Jan 26 - Born of Ashes by Goldilocks @goldenprisonpoetry on Instagram.Jan 27 - The Mythical Hero of Legend has Clinical Depression…