Muriel Alexander Rochester, New York

Biography When they were small they drew their names with square persistence on the cloud steamed pane, and midway between toys and cares carved their names together in the corner oak; but cool air lapped up their awkward lettering and an aphid scourge ate the tree. So they penned their names together legally and in time the elements had their way.

Essence Earth cools and is sundered, Lands drown or resurge, Man termites man; Only impermanence Is. East River River of lambent night, spiked by the spectral beams of light from shore and water homes; drum for the whisper, plush for the clarion screams, indifferent filter of all ferment, what dreams sand your floor!

Whose Who Dante had Beatrice And Keats his Fanny, Rob Browning, Eliz And Douglas, Annie; Petrarch had Laura, Herrick had Julia, Wordsworth some flora, Wilde was peculiar; Emily her preacher, Petruchio his shrew, Heloise her teacher, And I ----- have YOU!

The Grandfather Clock Repaired Once again, "tick tock" Beats the stairway clock, As night plays tag with day, While the hours chime Like a lilting rhyme And lightly run away. It's the strangest thing How the minutes wing, Now that the works are prime; But the worst of shocks, Is the best of clocks Just simply can't keep time.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Muriel Alexander. All rights reserved.