January 2025
Author's Note: I've been encouraged by the new poets coming to Verse-Virtual and finding community, which seems more important than ever before as it seems humanitarian concerns—the arts included—may be all but obliterated by the commercial in the larger scheme of things. Let's hope not. In this respect, Verse-Virtual is a beacon. The poem, "In the History of Great Ideas" attempts to elevate human welfare and dignity, something I suspect is being ignored more today than at any other time in our national history.
In the History of Great Ideas
small acts of kindness are noticeably absent.
On a cool morning, someone—not a lover—
draws up the quilt to cover the shoulder
of another, sleeping with her back to the world.
The dry voice of the long dead,
the breath from an ancient world,
the hermit of history,
motions with a dry hand—
someone—not a lover—covered
the back of another.
©2025 Michael Gessner
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to say what it is about the poem you like. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -JL