(November 19, 1942 / San Francisco)

poet Sharon Olds
#59 on top 500 poets
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What do you think this poem is about?

The Unborn

Sometimes I can almost see, around our heads,
Like gnats around a streetlight in summer,
The children we could have,
The glimmer of them.

Sometimes I feel them waiting, dozing
In some antechamber - servants, half-
Listening for the bell.

Sometimes I see them lying like love letters
In the Dead Letter Office

And sometimes, like tonight, by some black
Second sight I can feel just one of them
Standing on the edge of a cliff by the sea
In the dark, stretching its arms out
Desperately to me.

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003
Edited: Saturday, November 19, 2011


Read poems about / on: sometimes, summer, children, sea, dark, love, child

Comments about this poem (The Unborn by Sharon Olds )

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  • Ruth Owusu (1/24/2013 6:41:00 AM)

    love this poem,
    it speaks to my heart and i can relate with it.
    love your style of write..

    0 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Nida Nawaz (1/24/2013 3:26:00 AM)

    Beautiful poem regarding infanticide.

    2 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Leslie Philibert (1/16/2013 2:58:00 AM)

    A brillant poem from an established poet, who has recently been hounoured. She is too good for this site

    0 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • S W (1/7/2013 4:28:00 PM)

    I don't think this poem has anything to do with abortion. What are people thinking?

    3 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Paul Anthony (1/1/2013 8:29:00 PM)

    Wow, no messing here, straight for the jugular. unbelievable. Love it. Love it

    1 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Savita Tyagi (12/26/2012 9:38:00 AM)

    If words can touch any heart this poem does that.

    2 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Alistair Graham (12/22/2012 6:18:00 PM)

    Reminds me of the Buddhist belief of “souls” waiting to be reincarnated into a new body for a new round.

    2 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Sonya Marco (12/14/2012 12:00:00 PM)

    n some antechamber - servants, half-
    Listening for the bell. ...I love this poem!

    1 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Sally Plumb Plumb (12/11/2012 8:06:00 AM)

    Lovely piece... but who am I to pass comment on a great poet.

    3 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Sandra Feldman (12/9/2012 6:48:00 PM)

    beautiful imagery, beautifully said. A poem that should be read by all abortionist

    7 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
Read all 19 comments »

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