Hit play below to hear Yusef Komunyakaa read his poem “Yes, It Could Be Worse” and scroll down for the full text. The poem is featured in MQR’s Summer 2020 issue. MQR · Yusef Komunyakaa – It Could Be Worse I was not strong as Jean Valjean
When the north wind came down
out of the cedars
onto the bay
the boat turned slowly
First time? I get it.
A gift economy stuffs its pockets
with stones that hold their shape like water.
The Loneliness of Animals I don’t think I know what it feels like I know I don’t to drag one’s self so slowly “like a zombie” down a cracked hard, rock-cut creek bed in Illinois to be lifted still churning one’s legs to