Ben Cooper
Ben Cooper is an undergraduate student studying both creative writing and philosophy at Salisbury University. His poetry aims to provoke deep thought and reflection from his audience, exploring the absurdities of life, the mysteries of faith, and the necessity of hope. He also works as an assistant editor at Poet Lore, and his work has been published in Penn Review and The Shore.
Ars Poetica as Eschatology
Because all we can do is search for an ending
we didn’t know we were
walking towards. Because we can’t be heard without stepping
out of ourselves to find it. Because nothing
is not an option. Because I want to hold my language
to the light, seeing its fragile veins
flicker. Because we grow brave in the silences
we leave behind. Because frozen dew is in need
of a voice before it delicately melts back into the sky.
Because eyes can’t help but imagine stars
that are long burnt-out. Because the sun is lonely
and shines anyway. Because I want
and am left wanting. Because that tension in my chest
is a reason to continue. Because I don’t want to
use the hose to find it. Because water takes
the shape of the walls
that restrain it. Because I want the tide
to take me lap by tender lap.
Because I want to float,
face down, above it all.
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Image by Ken Harmon
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