Throughout the next few months, we’ll be featuring excerpts of writing by Alaskans who’ve been published in Alaska Quarterly Review. AQR is published by the University Alaska Anchorage and is without a doubt one of the nation’s best literary magazines, as noted by The Washington Post Book World. Each issue of AQR is rich with fine writing and social consequence. We hope by featuring this work on the 49 Writers blog, you’ll be enticed to look further into this fine publication.
Long Before We Got Here, Long After We’re Gone
In the season blue-white sun
barely lifts above the ridge,
limps along the horizon
then dives out of sight,
we’re changed each day by light.
Someone who’s gone before
broke trail, set tracks.
With the right kick wax,
we make our way among birch
breathing hard rare frosted light.
We make of light arpeggio crystals,
caribou dance fans, shush
of bristles. One moment made
alive, human, unafraid.
All that’s lost not gone.
~Peggy Shumaker