‘Hairy with violets’

“I am fleshed at smaller sports, and grow in time

into the mineral thick fell of earth; Vermont

hairy with violets, roses, lilies and like

minions and darlings of the spring, meantime

working wonders, rousing astonishments….”

—From “West Topsham,’’ by John Engels (1931-2007), a Vermont-based poet and teacher. West Topsham is a village in the town of Topsham, Vt.

Town hall in Topsham

A 'flat push'

“Outside the snow comes rolling in

from the flats of Quebec. It’s the flat push

on things I fear. The north glass

rattles and bulges….’’

— From “Storm,’’ by John Engels (1931-2007), a Vermont poet. He taught at St. Michael’s College, in Colchester, just north of Burlington.

“Allegory of Winter,’’ by Jerzy Siemiginowski-Eleuter (1683)

St. Michael’s College