Light by Shannon West

Light by Shannon West

Author: Maggie Devers February 2, 2026 Duration: 2:29

Light

Shannon West

I’m afraid of the dark and so is he
We hold each other close and drift off into dreams
The closet light is on - just how we like it
Light spills from beneath the door bathing the room in its warmth
The basement, being alone, silence, death - belong to the dark
The kitchen table, love, togetherness, life - belong to the light
Kindred spirits safe in our nest
We don’t need to fear the shadows
We can see them as well as they can see us
The irony is not lost on me that when we are most at peace, we close our eyes
Embracing the darkness
I am empathetic
Because I still fear the dark
Maybe moms aren’t supposed to admit that
I don’t think it’s a weakness
It just is
But what a privilege it is
To be his light now

More from Shannon West ↓

  1. @shannonswriting on Instagram

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
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Chai and Chrysanthemum Mahnoor Rehan My heart leansTowards abominationYou— Earliest ray of sunshineWalking sack of calculated caloriesAbyss, philanthropyI follow the squirrels as they hop from one willow toanotherWhen I…
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Cheap Therapy Cheat Sheet by Tanja Lau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Cheap Therapy Cheat SheetTanja LauThis poem was originally published by Part-Time Poets. Issue 29.No excuses. Pick your next move:Some people scream into pillows, others nametheir grief Steve and set a place for him at d…
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Born of Ashes Goldilocks We were born of ashes and blood, In a shattered past stained with death. Each word hurt like a knife stabbing, Each day felt closer to the end. The pain did not stop for a second, It grew bigger…
Sunday Recap & Burn the Flag by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:07
Here’s your recap of this week’s poems plus one new poem to carry us into the week ahead. Jan 19 - Chasing the Light by Old Fart with a Guitar @old_fart_with_a_guitar on Instagram. Stream his music: OFWAG LinkTree. Jan 2…
Same Old Story by Amelia Cabantog [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:39
Same Old Story Amelia Cabantog Everyday the news replays the same old stories. So, and so, died So, and, so was deportedSo, and, so's rights are being taken away.Meanwhile a mother is crying because her baby is slowly dy…
“Hope isn't a shy thing” by Eileen Strawberry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:08
“Hope isn't a shy thing” Eileen Strawberry Hope isn't a shy thingShe has white knucklesand spits gritWhen oppressors beat down on her shouldersShe draws her sword swiftlyNo hesitationNo deliberationShe will slay dragonsf…
Shimmer by Jessie Marie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45
ShimmerJessie Mariemy shimmering heart draped in tearsdrums a song behind a thorny cageghosts dressed in moonlightwail against the inky black of nightsorrow is stitched into their eyesan echo of dreams heard on the windI…
Don't call it hope or you'll scare it away by Candace Kronen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11
Don't call it hope or you'll scare it away Candace Kronen Call it window or thread or undone button, call it plump lipsand the slip of a sound, open palm with a single split seedwhispers of paw prints in a blanket of sno…