Cold Plunging

Kristin Yates

Breath leaves my lips

like a bird, and

I feel the cardinals

and the chickadees

and the cold

in my hands

sing.

I become the shiver

of saying it:

I love you

enough

to let you live.

More from Kristin Yates ↓

• @beautefantasy on Instagram
• You can find links to her published work on her Linktree

Mentioned in this episode:

One Poem Only submissions are open.

I’m filling the next chapter of One Poem Only and would love to include your work. Send me the poem you wrote and want the world to hear. New this round: if you’d like to read your own poem on the podcast, you can. No need for a perfect studio recording—just a clear audio file recorded in a quiet space. If you choose this option, you’ll submit your poem and an audio file of you reading it. Submissions close Thursday, July 30. I’ll respond by August 12. Whether I read your poem or you read it yourself, I’d love to hear what you’re ready to share.