Genesis of Her by Kiran Ashraf

Genesis of Her by Kiran Ashraf

Author: Maggie Devers January 8, 2026 Duration: 2:02

Genesis of Her

Kiran Ashraf

Her body is like a powerful tide
looming in an ever-flowing motion
chewing on her emotions like rice
she aches to read in sheltering arms
wearing her chaos for a better life
her skin is a wild thing at its best
memories in her songs of grief
now trembled and hummed in her bones
like a silent gust of unfinished wreckage
or an absent orchestra of musical hell
her two eyes wander through the meadows
lessons forced on her forgiving shoulders
all her exhausting days and unsent texts
are winding up in threads of crocheted wool
she exists in this unyielding temporal
growing stronger among unseen enemies

More from Kiran Ashraf ↓

  1. @kiran_ashraf on Instagram and @kiranashraf7 on Substack

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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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