The Heartland

…But things are changing now, and storms

have split around Chicago and head East

to test the endurance of New Yorkers…

–Excerpt from “The Heartland” in EDGES by Donna Pucciani (Chicago: Purple Flag, 2022). First published in Plainsongs.

Extinction

I hear the near-extinct

crinkle of page on page,

and go out for a walk

around the reservoir. . .

–Excerpt from “Extinction” in Donna Pucciani, A Light Dusting of Breath (Chicag0: Virtual Artists Collective, 2016).

Aftermath

They say that glaciers

are abandoning the Arctic,

taking their shadows with them.

–Excerpt from “Aftermath” in Donna Pucciani, A Light Dusting of Breath (Chicago: Virtual Artists Collective, 2016).

Aftermath

Wires and water

don’t go well together.

The hurricane has forced them

to cohabit streets filled

with floating debris,

lumber, children’s toys,

a car, someone’s stove

drifting by like a cloud

sauntering in a blue sky,

the kind of sky they haven’t seen

for days in New Jersey.

–excerpt from “Aftermath” in A Light Dusting of Breath by Donna Pucciani (virtual artists collective/purple flag, 2015). First published in Plainsongs and shutterverse2.wordpress.com

Storm after Drought

Last night, when rain stroked

the scarred earth, entering the cracks

with small invasive hands,

and clouds sang the cantos

of momentary loss, shaking the trees,

we lay in our beds breathless,

feeling relief creep through our bodies

feet first . . .

–excerpt from “Storm after Drought” in A Light Dusting of Breath by Donna Pucciani (virtual artists collective/purple flag, 2015). First published in After Hours.

Pucciani Wins Climate Change Contest

Sunday, March 15^th at 7 PM: As part of the Water Street Studios Climate Crisis exhibit and event series, Waterline Writers will feature climate poetry contest winner Donna Pucciani and honorable mentions Tricia Marcella Cimera, Jim Lewis, Lucinda Marshall and Barbara Ungar, with Luis Mejico performing an interdisciplinary piece based on the poems. Essays and fiction from Donald J. Bingle, Joe Pisciotto of Three Plaid Farmers, and Ray Ziemer will offer perspectives and solutions to past, present, and future climate issues. A 5-minute-limit Open Mic begins at 8:30 PM. Waterline Writers: experience writers reading their own work—poetry, spoken word, fiction, non-fiction, scenes and more—3^rd Sundays from September through May at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. Batavia, IL. $5 donation. Visit waterlinewriters.org,