Vernal Falls, a poem I arise early, shaking off the night’s sleep as I stomp my boots outside of the cabin. snow, glittering, white, crunches as I walk. the park is quiet. it is morning. 5:30 am. I sense my hair is freezing in the wind. I touch it, and my sense is correct. hair snaps off in my hand. The trail is deserted. I pass a hushed couple looking at a map, but otherwise, I am alone. The path, packed gravel, is slippery at points. I walk slowly as I ascend, to avoid danger. the rock surrounding me is still. Dawn breaks over the cliff face in front of me. I see the falls, with its ice cone beneath, as I travel the last few hundred feet. I sit, using a blanket to stave off cold, On a rock bench, worn from years. I watch the falls sparkle as the sun rises.
Mercy led first, a poem Mercy lead first. She, with pious countenance and quiet voice deceiving began to tremor and wail Ann and her young sister followed in a display so gratuitous and histrionic it was hardly to be believed; As we watched Ann convulse in agony, A slight nod and signal sent direction to Elizabeth to be our next performer-- Oft in the wooded copse we met to discuss our secreted plans; T’was time when Ann, on errand would parade down the square in her dusky orange apron, Our signal to steal moments away from harsh duties and run free to the woods, hidden foodstuffs amongst branches sustaining us as we danced and laughed and talked about our dreams; Ann and Mercy were the primary proposers. Suppose we held control of even our fathers? Suppose we could convince all? We would laugh gaily and heartily, as this would never happen. Time would come for us to leave for home, back to our labors and lives of dull; We would depart half awake, dreaming of power visions of mastery dancing before our eyes— And then came that fateful day. Mercy, with drooping eyelids fell into a false fever, the first sign. We had practiced heaving ourselves into a fit strong enough to bring upon supposed illness out in the woods; it was subject to much laughter. What had seemed amusing amongst the verdant green was frighteningly prescient in person Announcing to our troupe the power we had coveted was soon to be, surprisingly, and mightily, ours. We exchanged the briefest of glances. Then came the momentous day I received my note-- a quick hand signal from a screaming Caroline meant it was my turn to fall into a catatonic state and join in our trickery and falsehood. The fever befell me the next day. Ranting and raving, I imagined a Devil with Horns sharp traipsing about the room and extended accusations to one Goody Woods, announcing she had signed her fate in the book held aloft by the demon himself— Oft now, I ask of the Lord for his forgiveness. We were but children, my Lord; I speak aloud, a childhood fancy turned astonishingly evil by the heightened fear surrounding us. My Lord does not seem to listen or hear.
Snow’s Bliss Hark! a single snowflake falls from the sky; Then two, ten, thirty, many a more fall, laden clouds darken as bright snowflakes fly, blanketing town with a glittering shawl. I stand upon the square, watching the sight, the sparkling center of town, lights ablaze, A quiet hush as the square turns to white, Townsfolk passing by almost in a daze. The First Snow! A monumental instant when wonder returns, a moment of bliss, Life’s tests and troubles suddenly distant, Indeed, such a moment not to be missed. Alas, break’s ended, I must go inside Three jobs to survive means snow’s bliss must hide.
Alaina Boys 