The Art of Returning by Dr. Deepak Dev

The Art of Returning by Dr. Deepak Dev

Author: Maggie Devers December 18, 2025 Duration: 2:30

The Art of Returning

Dr. Deepak Dev

— for the ones who stayed through winter

Some winters arrive without snow —
only the long ache of unfinished warmth.
Even the mirrors frost inward,
as if the soul has forgotten its reflection.

But the earth knows better.
It keeps its promises underground —
roots rehearsing resurrection,
petals studying silence until they can speak again.

Renewal is not a sunrise.
It’s a hand reaching through cold air,
finding pulse where no pulse was expected.
It’s the body remembering it once belonged to light.

Every thaw is an act of faith,
not in what returns,
but in what endured unseen.

When the solstice breathes its first pale dawn,
I will not pray — I will listen.
For in that hush,
you can hear the quiet miracle of warmth
deciding to begin again.

More from Dr. Deepak Dev ↓


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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