Allegra Silberstein grew up on a farm in Wisconsin but has lived in California since 1963. Her love of poetry began as a child when her mother would recite poems as she worked. In addition to three chapbooks of poetry, she has over a hundred publications and a growing number on-line. In, March of 2010, Allegra became the first Poet Laureate for the city of Davis. Other activities include being a member the Threshold Choir of Davis, dancing with the Third Stage dance company, and recently she has been singing and plays washboard with the Front Porch Bluegrass group.
Evening Hymn
(after e.e. Cummings)
I thank you, God,
for the now cool touch of night
brushing against my cheeks
after the heat of the afternoon,
for the naming of stars gleaming above me,
for the dark lace of olive and pine edging
the moonlit sky of this summer night,
for the tender animal that is my body
harking to the high trill of crickets
singing beside the red shed
where a grape vine clings.
Leaves cover its treasure:
pendulous green opals.
