Ben Purkert is a poet with degrees from Harvard and New York University, where he served as a New York Times Fellow. Born in New Jersey, he lives in New York City.

The Past Is the Present Only Colder

by Ben Purkert

At night, everything feels. Even a river
feels its way through the woods, mumbling.

Slight edge in its voice. Enough to pry
a door open a crack. Then light through


the haze. The earth covers its face
with brush. Flagstones elbow each other
People on couch
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