Gravity and Center

Gravity and Center
By Henri Cole

I'm sorry I cannot say I love you when you say

you love me. The words, like moist fingers,

appear before me full of promise but then run away

to a narrow black room that is always dark,

where they are silent, elegant, like antique gold,

devouring the thing I feel. I want the force

of attraction to crush the force of repulsion

and my inner and outer worlds to pierce

one another, like a horse whipped by a man.

I don't want words to sever me from reality.

I don't want to need them. I want nothing

to reveal feeling but feeling—as in freedom,

or the knowledge of peace in a realm beyond,

or the sound of water poured in a bowl.


About the Poem

Henri Cole's poem “Gravity and Center” is a meditation on desire, longing, and the search for balance in life. Like much of Cole’s poetry, it explores personal emotions and experiences with a lyrical and restrained intensity. The poem captures the tension between wanting and letting go. Cole often writes about longing in a way that feels both personal and universal, reflecting the fleeting nature of human emotions and attachments.

The title suggests an invisible force that both holds things together and pulls them apart. Gravity can symbolize love, duty, or an internal struggle—things that keep a person anchored yet also cause tension. In contrast to gravity, the "center" suggests balance, self-control, or a point of inner peace. The poem may be about the struggle to find equilibrium between emotional intensity and the need for stability.

Cole frequently explores themes of identity, love, and mortality. This poem, in particular, conveys a sense of longing that might be connected to love, self-acceptance, or the search for meaning. “Gravity and Center” is deeply introspective, with a restrained yet emotionally charged tone. Cole’s use of simple yet elegant language allows for multiple interpretations, making the poem resonate with a wide audience. His poetry often embraces a balance between the personal and the universal, allowing readers to see their own experiences reflected in his words.

“Gravity and Center” is a poignant reflection on the human condition—our desires, our struggles for balance, and the forces that shape our emotional lives. Henri Cole's precise and evocative style invites readers to sit with these tensions and reflect on their own experiences of love, longing, and stability.


About the Poet

Henri Cole is an American poet known for his deeply personal, lyrical, and emotionally introspective poetry. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1956 to a French-Armenian mother and an American father, he grew up in Virginia. His work often explores themes of identity, love, desire, loss, and self-examination with a delicate yet powerful style. 

Cole’s poetry is characterized by its precise language, vivid imagery, and emotional depth. He frequently writes about desire, human relationships, and personal reflection, often weaving in themes of queerness and self-acceptance. His poems are elegant yet restrained, blending formal precision with raw emotion. He is often compared to poets like Elizabeth Bishop and James Merrill for his attention to craft and lyricism.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Jackson Poetry Prize, the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Cole has taught at various universities and is regarded as one of the most significant contemporary American poets. Henri Cole’s poetry is admired for its emotional clarity, precision, and ability to capture deep human experiences with simple yet profound language. His work resonates with those who appreciate poetry that is both intimate and universal.