It is love that lamps illumine
love in rattled kettles’ steam
staccato love in car horns, squeaking brakes
love between the marching lines
in books, battalions, lives, and weeks
the hum of love beyond the city lights
a full moon—love—behind the black-lined trees
at night—a wound of beauty, love
above the bathing stars, below each blade of grass
love in counting coins, days, tasks, and signs
whiffs of love in ovens
tastes of love’s food, bread and wine
love in laundry waiting to be washed
in silent smoke, seas, the silver sounds of chimes
love creeping in the cracks in walls
buried in sacks and boxes
built high in buildings, low in minor chords
sifting through crowds, wilderness, and wars
listening—bearing what was
holding what is and who knows what will
whistling in wheels and in stones—still
moving the sun and a million other stars
—Hannah Woldum Ragusa
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
War abroad. Socialists on the rise. AI upending human life. Endless uproar online. The modern attention economy doesn’t want readers — it wants users enslaved to the tyranny of the present.
First Things is the antidote: literary excellence, timeless truths, and a fixed point of reference in a culture that has lost its bearings.
But we can’t do it without readers like you.
Our goal: Raise $150,000 by November 1 to sustain First Things in the year ahead.
Your gift anchors readers in the permanent things.
Make your Fall Campaign gift now using the button below.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Giovanni Del Piero, Director of the Editor’s Circle, at gdelpiero@firstthings.com or 212-627-1985.
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