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

Read

Spring 1989 • Vol. XI No. 2 • Poetry |

Poem on My Birthday

By John Engels

I

At times in the night
the lips of the continents
collide and rise
and then withdraw, leaving
halved spirals of nautiloids,

Already have an account? Log in

Join KR for even more to read.

Sign up for a free account and read any five pieces a month.
Sign Up and Read for Free



Or become a subscriber today and get complete, immediate access to our digital archives at every subscription level.
Explore Subscriptions

Read More

For the Lately Dead

By John Engels

He’s dead: I never wished him that,my single charity. He’s paidfor everything, fought hard, with courage,was, in the horror of his final week,fearful and in pain, from what quite possiblywas […]

Read More

Upcoming
Workshops

Subscribe

Your free registration with The Kenyon Review includes access to exclusive content, early access to program registration, and more.

Subscription Options

Donate

With your support, we’ll continue 
to cultivate talent and publish extraordinary literature from diverse voices around the world.

Donate to KR
Back to top