A Geography of Endurance Day 8
The Basin of the Hollow
The Appalachians are the only foundations
that refuse to shatter when I lean.
I pressed back into the hills
and they held—
not with gentleness,
but with stone’s slow,
unyielding patience.
When every room feels too small
for what I carry,
the mountains widen around me
and “too much” shrinks to scale—
a hollow the hills know how to cradle.
The basin never spilled me out.
These are the only monoliths
large enough
to meet me eye to eye.
28 thoughts on "A Geography of Endurance Day 8"
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Wow! This poem has power and presence. The images are vibrant. I especially enjoyed that third stanza. Excellent write!
‘Has presence’
I love that description. Thanks H.A.!
And with this poem, the meaning of your title comes into sharp focus.
Good lord, Jeremy, what a fine poet you’ve become. I’m dumbfounded with pride for you.
Thank you for always supporting me, Kevin! It really means a lot, as I am a big admirer of your work.
Email me please: kevinnancepoetry@gmail.com.
Email sent!
Wow!!! Jeremy!!
Form and content.
By not jambing the stanzas it works like mortared rock.
It feels broken layered shifted and strong….all at once.
I love this one !!!
Love it !!!!
That is such a cool take, Coleman! I’ll definitely say it was intentional lmao
Lololol…….
Love ya Jeremy.
Thats how it works.
When the nutty starts,
It’s all intentional.
” you’ll know this is nuts right?”
❤️
Tranquil and beautiful.
Thank you Virginia!
This year you win all the prizes for the best poet! I love this poem.
Oh shit, that is incredibly high praise from such a great poet. Thank you Linda, it means the world to me. I feel heard.
It really is interesting that you note how the hold isn’t gentle, but patient. It really makes you look at the mountains as their own beings. They outlast, but they don’t mind holding us for a little while. And they’re not shy about letting us know they will outlast.
Very nice work on this one.
A lovely summary. Thank you for reading so closely L. Coyne.
Love how tender, reverent, haunting this poem is. It will stay with me long after I read it. It speaks volumes.
“I pressed back into the hills.” Very poetic, enjoyed your poem.
Ah!! I love what you’re doing this year!! I started reading them backwards at first
So I’m going to restart chronologically.
You are seriously brilliant.
You have grown SO much with you’re writing and taking bravery steps!!!!!
YOUR*** stupid autocorrect
These poems should be in a collection! Get them published!
Agree!
I third this.
Caught my breath: “as I I pressed back into the hills
and they held—” and I breathed into “”the mountains widen around me” and “The basin never spilled me out.” and such peace flooded me.
Thank you. This is why we read poetry, yes?
Lovely- how the Appalachians emotionally ground us! Beautifully personified.
Your landscapes stun and refresh souls and minds!
love the love in “a hollow the hills know how to cradle”
I’ve never thought the mountains could mean so much to one person until I read your poems.
Well done painting us the sprawling and massive Appalachians. Loved: “not with gentleness/but with stone’s slow/unyielding patience.” Beautifully written, Jeremy!