April 2023
Bio Note: I live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and work as a tech writer, a job I’ve had off and on for over 30 years. So much for my day job. I’ve published a couple of young-adult novels and several books of poetry, including Swallowed Up in Victory, a long narrative poetry based on the Civil War. My most recent are Redemption from FutureCycle Press and a chapbook, Magnetic North, from Finishing Line Press.
Snowdrops on a Summer’s Day
Seventy-nine degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon
of February 24 outside Atlanta. Okames and lovely
ghostly ornamental pears, with their unexpected
funk of decay, in full blossom. The redbuds
more a purple fuzz of buds and blooms,
like some old out-of-focus Kodachrome.
Daffodils, a month into their blooming,
and the new spikes of hyacinth and grape hyacinth
join the drooping snowdrops’ refulgent plash.
Meantime, in Portland, more snow
piles up than seen in 80 years.
A world turned on its head, with Europe
mourning the anniversary of this not-for-80-years-
seen descent of a ceaseless killing frost.
©2023 Lee Passarella
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to say what it is about the poem you like. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -JL