Alice D'Alessio Verse-Virtual 2015 June

June 2015

I am a lover of woods and words, finding inspiration in the out-of-doors, as well as in the dark workings of the human heart. I have published four books of poetry and one biography, and am working on a combination essay/poetry book that I hope will serve as a memoir.

Something for the Journey

Suppose, for instance,
this is the last morning. You never know.
You wake to find a wet snow
has sneaked in after midnight
wrapping the branches with
an airy gauze, spangled with diamonds
so that every snarly twig and tendril
is an epiphany of white
etched against the purplish-blue
of an undecided sky.

And you want to be sure to seize it,
store it in scented linens,
in carved and gilded coffers
along with last May’s poppies,
August sunlight spilling its motes and spores
among the pines and sandstone cliffs,
and a copy of your only perfect poem.
Because we must take something with us,
like the pharaohs.

- first appeared in Free Verse, formerly published in Wisconsin