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C. D. Wright (1949–2016) published numerous poetry collections, including Rising, Falling, Hovering, which won the 2009 Griffin Poetry Prize; One with Others, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry; and ShallCross (Copper Canyon Press, 2016). Her collaboration with photographer Deborah Luster led to One Big Self: An Investigation, an intimate account of Louisiana inmates. Wright taught English at Brown University.

Photograph credit: John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

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Like Hearing Your Name
Called in a Language
You Don’t Understand

by C. D. Wright
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Since the day the bell was cast

I have sat in the bishop’s carved chair and waited my turn

with my feet crossed at the ankles, and the leather of my

huaraches

cutting into the hide of my foot.

From where I was sitting I watched the light being drawn

People on couch
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Reader Comments

  • The restrained beauty of the poem's rhythm both contains and supports...
  • What a lovely reminder to live life as we sense it....
  • C. D. Wright has created something that can be truly called...

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