One great poem to read today:
Li-Young Lee’s “From Blossoms”

This April marks the 30th iteration of National Poetry Month, which was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. To celebrate, the Literary Hub staff will be recommending one great poem to read every (work) day of the month. We make no claim (except when we do) that these poems are the “best” poems in any category; they are simply poems we love. The only other thing they all have in common is that they are available to read for free online, so you can enjoy them along with us. The internet is still good for some things, after all. Today we recommend:

Li-Young Lee’s “From Blossoms”

It’s not really spring until you’ve read “From Blossoms.” I know everyone is talking about how the weather is warming up and the trees are teasing their green and the sun is finally making herself known, but it’s not actually springtime until you’ve read Li-Young Lee’s perfect, lush, peach-colored poem. It’s a poem that makes me feel like juice is dripping down my chin while I stand in the shade of a fruit tree. It’s a poem that makes me feel like I’m going to live forever even as it makes me aware of my own mortality.

“From Blossoms” does what all my favorite poems do: it takes a small moment, a common image, and brings that moment so sharply into focus that suddenly you realize that this moment is your entire life. Every moment is all we have. Every dusty peach and every pit and every brown paper bag is everything. There’s no writer more talented than a good poet. And there’s no fruit as perfect as a peach.

Read the full poem here.

(Or buy the book)