Read the winning piece of our 2025 Nonfiction Contest “Through the Mirror” by Jessie Cato selected by Lucy Ives.

Read
Kenyon Review logo

Isabella Gardner

Poetry

Autumn 1952

Timeo

By Isabella Gardner

Dear God (safe ambiguity) If I address you faithlessly The fear of heaven devils me. Could I be sure of purgatory Sure I could praise and not adore thee I […]

Poetry

Autumn 1952

Sestina

By Isabella Gardner

You must never unlock the cedar closet; Nor open the white doors to the music room To be stared at by the french windows and drained Flabby by the sucking […]

Poetry

Autumn 1952

The Minotaur

By Isabella Gardner

The labyrinthine forest's spoor Lead to the patient Minotaur Deep in the dark and structured core The bull-man lurks inside the maze And he who dares explore will raze The […]