As we celebrate World Poetry Day, enjoy a poem about the power of art in ‘Good Art’ by Jenni Fagan. This poem is taken from her newest collection The Bone Library.

Good Art

Is the best kind of defibrillator,
I see your ventricles
and raise a soul
bound by flesh – yes,
marrow, blood and bone,
(it’s in there the Élan vital
yet so often, to cut it out
needs an acuminous scalpel)
separate it from sinews
and muscle,
gristle,
tumour and fat,
the world is dying,
dearest darlings of the flesh hotels –
please gift it good art.