If you place a fern
under a stone
the next day it will be
nearly invisible
as if the stone has 
swallowed it.

If you tuck the name of a loved one
under your tongue too long
without speaking it
it becomes blood
sigh
the little sucked-in breath of air
hiding everywhere
beneath your words.

No one sees
the fuel that feeds you.

Poet: Naomi Shihab Nye
Poem: Hidden
Volume: Fuel
Year: Published/Written in 1998

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Hidden, has received 7 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.