A Sort of Hole

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dVerse -  Open Link Night #396 

You can link up one poem of your choice below or write to the optional mini prompt which we are offering today.

Consider the opening line from Edna St Vincent Millay’s poem “Love is Not All.”

source

“Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink nor slumber nor a roof against the rain."

I read her words, then
lay the book, spine up
on my lap,
and wonder.

No, “love is not all…”

I found it once.
Lost it,
and never found another.
Yet I do not hunger nor thirst for love,
nor lose sleep, alone in my bed.
If I lay awake at night, it’s to hear the rain
upon my roof.

No, “love is not all…”

It’s merely a part of one sort of whole.

Which leaves another sort of hole
when it parts.

©2025 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  

Comments

  1. brudbergNovember 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM

    Another sorts of hole... indeed... sometimes I feel every human is filled with so many holes ready to be filled with anything....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim M. RussellNovember 21, 2025 at 12:58 AM

    Your poem resonates, Lisa, these lines especially:
    ‘If I lay awake at night, it’s to hear the rain
    upon my roof.’

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ron.November 21, 2025 at 6:45 AM

    Holes aren't always such a bad thing, though. It's kinda fun searching around for things to fill them with -- as long as you don't get too desperate in the process.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sanaa RizviNovember 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM

    That closing line is everything! Such a poignant, fiery poem! ❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete

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