Broken by Ani Leland

Broken by Ani Leland

Author: Maggie Devers September 8, 2025 Duration: 2:16

Broken

Ani Leland

They say I'm heartbroken
But heartache can't sufficiently describe
How the physical agony in my chest steals the air from my lungs
Pain so visceral tears seem trivial - not a worthy outlet of emotion
These windows to my soul are dry, seeing clear for the first time
My body is numb - unfeeling
Torment induced disassociation shielding my fragile mind
My tortured heart no longer set alight by my twin flame
But incinerated by the resulting inferno
Each broken piece fueling the blaze
The once glowing embers now cold and black

More from Ani Leland ↓

  • @neversent.poetry on Instagram
  • Her book, Echoes and Embers, the first in a trilogy co-authored with T.C. James, will be published this fall

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
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