California Poetry Magazine - "A Poem About Nothing" by David Holper

California Poetry Magazine –

"A Poem About Nothing" by David Holper

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May 15th, 2026

California Poetry Contest #2 – First Place

A Poem About Nothing

by David Holper

The door handle unoiled
refusing, the phone call
 
unanswered, a grave absent
peonies. This poem becoming
 
dust falling on dust, a lifetime of nots
covering the unopened book,

like an unopened letter.
No one knows

these things better than the clock
tolling a quarter of never.  Death 
 
the only other option.   Just 
before blowing your poison kiss goodbye, 
 
listen to the wind at the door calling.
Wonder who’s there, 

wander out to watch
the sunrise.  After all, who says 
 
you can’t?  Who says
you can’t slip your finger to the very bottom 
 
of the holy pocket you’d never bothered
to check?

About the Poet
David Holper resides in Eureka, California, United States.
Read the poet's biography on David Holper's Artist Page.

This poem is featured in Poetry World #15, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Keywords: unopened letters, listen to the wind

Previously published in California Poetry Magazine:
It Is I Who Have Rejected You
by Jackie Chou

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