silence

Poetry by Jim Wardell
Issue 68 • October 2018 • Wise

is not the sound
of my consent
but of my disbelief

condescension has become
our refuge & anger
just another
cruel faith

in this temple
we’ve built of contempt

angels won’t dance barefoot
anymore on points of pins
nor I on shards of glass

separation
is a practiced art

Jim Wardell is a musician and educator who has made his home in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where he plays, writes, teaches, and learns at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Illustration by Paul Hostetler

The Whurk Week

Five cool things happening in Virginia each week. Delivered to your inbox Monday mornings. Sweet.


More From Issue 68

Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir
This storied choir that brought gospel to the masses is celebrating multiple anniversaries this month—as well as a bittersweet turn of events.


Rich Tarbell
The photographs are his own, but the stories? Those amount to nothing less than a multi-generational oral history of the Charlottesville music scene.


Album Roundup
Featuring Bad Magic, Shormey, The Big Drum In The Sky Religion, Coolhandtrew, and Nightcreature.

More Poetry Features

Family
Poetry by Michelle Dodd


Following a Funeral in the Ozarks
Poetry by Aaron Morris


Openings
Poetry by Julia Travers

Other Recent Stuff

Introvert
Cover by Micah Scott


VMFA on the Road
To bring art to the most Virginians possible, this museum is reviving a long dormant outreach program. The game plan? Just keep on truckin’.


Amber Rabie
Though this artist has only begun her journey as a painter, she is deeply committed to using her work to benefit the less fortunate across the world.