Alaska

Alaska is a state of mind;
Travel there and you will find
Grandeur indescribable.
Glaciers are portraits in ice white;
Visit in sunlight day and night,
Beams at dark undeniable.

In the summer, blueberries grow
Big as baseballs; wildflowers show
Off their dance on August frost.
Fireweed marches reddish pink
Across slate and green skating rink,
Sun rides horizon, never lost.

In winter lies covered in snow;
Day peeks for a while now to show
Crystal cathedrals. Magic mount
Raises its peaks in solemn praise;
Touches Heaven in icy blaze;
My knees do bend, my blessings count.

Alaska is a state of mind;
To its untamed heart it will bind
The one who dares adventure there.
Leave it and we must go outside,
Its matchless spirit lay aside,
To return my fervent prayer.

— deelilah, Jan 13, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Northwest USA, USA

Favorite Poets: E.E. Cummings, Robert W. Service, Emily Dickenson

Critiques

prayersbyPatty

17 years 4 months ago

Dee

I like poems about nature and there is beauty in the snow. I have to say that cause I live in Michigan. Thank you for taking me on a trip to Alaska. I will have to look up some pictures. I know about a place that is filled with winter sculpture, not sure that is in Alaska or not. It is beautiful to look at. Right now I want to go to Florida, but their bugs do not die in winter. Patty

deelilah

17 years 4 months ago

Hi Patty,

I think at times the climate in Michigan is very like parts of Alaska--as in cold. Having lived in Anchorage several years, I would say it is dry and Michigan is on the humid side. There were times I went skiing at 0 degrees and wore a sweater only. For me Alaska was the best--but that might have been because I was young and there was a 10 to 1 ratio of men to women. It was beautiful, truly majestic. I want to go back, at least for a visit. Yours, Dee PS I liked your web page--very well done.

prayersbyPatty

17 years 4 months ago

Thanks Dee

Its good to have you back on the site, Hope all is well with you and your family. Patty

Quillsvein1

17 years 4 months ago

there's

a definite touch of magical realism here and you display an uncanny ability to make nature magical: "In winter lies covered in snow/Day peeks for a while now to show/Crystal cathedrals. Magic mount/Raises its peaks in solemn praise;/Touches Heaven in icy blaze;/My knees do bend, my blessings count." what a stanza there! blazing with magic--excellent poem (though i don't do the cold well and a trip alaska would turn me into an icicle!) GB

Rett

17 years 4 months ago

I agree with Quill 100%

including the "I don't do cold well." This was absolutely stunning deelilah! Nothing more I can add! Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water."

deelilah

17 years 4 months ago

I doubt if Anchorage is colder than Atlanta tonite

First of all, thank you Quill for your encouraging comments, and Rett for yours. I really want to somehow express the beauty that is Alaska--and it seems I accomplished that in some small way. I heard it would be 20 even as southerly as Florida tonight. The days are getting longer in Alaska. They'll be taking bets on the date of official break-up--the ice finally breaks in the river anywhere from now to early May. I couldn't remember the name of the river so went to net. Here is an excerpt: "A special thrill is the break up of the river ice. A friend has a break-up party each year. We all gather on the banks of the Tanana River for a special party. Ice chunks go floating by. There is a tinkling sound. We barbecue sausages, slug down some beer or wine, place our beach chairs on the banks of the river, and enjoy. The tinkling sound of the ice is a special treat! There is also a special tradition in Alaska. A tripod is placed in Interior Alaska, in Nenana. When the ice "goes out" in Nenana, it trips a cord, the tripod goes down, and the winner of this year's "Ice Classic" is determined. Bets are still in for this year." Hope you enjoyed this little geography lesson. Yours, Deelilah