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

Read

Winter 1970 • Vol. XXXII No. 1 • Poetry |

Diplomacy: The Father

Briefing: in any area, you will surely find
   (As in yourself)
Among the welter of factions, certain forces
For whom decision is the natural role.
More driven, inventive, having more resources,
They can more joyfully fuse some common goal
From the perverse local passions of our kind.
   This, of course, is

Your enemy. Whom you cannot choose but love.
   As in yourself,
Only the dearest of powers can grow excessive,
Turn tyrant, steal your dear freedom to choose
You do not love them. Note them. Make no aggressive
Move as yet. That could be little use—
Seeing you love and choose them, they could prove
   Stubborn to suppress. If

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.

Read More

Disposal

By Dan S. Gross

The unworn long gown, meant for dances She would have scarcely dared attend, Is fobbed off on a friend— Who can’t help wondering if it’s spoiled But thinks, well, she […]

Amesbury

By Allen Grossman

Of the villages I remember the streams Of the streams weed-walking water birds Fly-catching in the cold rain, and water- Lillies filling like doomed ships. Under water Something tangles and […]

Upcoming
Workshops

Subscribe

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

Donate

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