Parker Towle

Sugarloaf Descent

by Parker Towle Low trees and scrub yield to precipitous scree slope, an irregular ladder of stone blocks with no bushes or tree trunks to cling to. Switchbacks are few. Cooling breeze above yields to flushing heat and dripping sweat. We tumble down through a sparse gnarl of trees with openings to view their topsContinue reading “Sugarloaf Descent”

Parker Towle was born and raised in central Massachusetts, educated in Connecticut and Vermont, and located his career as a neurologist to Boston, and the north country of New Hampshire and Vermont. He has published seven books of poems, the latest being Poems and Collage (2013) in collaboration with the artist Barbara Newton; and WorldContinue reading “Parker Towle”

Spring Thaw at River’s Edge

by Parker Towle When I stop and open the window a chill rises over the wheels and surrounds my head. The river snaps its tail swelling the surface and rocking blocks of ice. Across the boil fingerless hands emerge and turn the flood plain into ponds, muddying soil around yellowed stumps of corn.

Embarking

by Parker Towle Fog rose off the still lake like wisps of flame. Two hundred feet from shore we were on instruments, in trust to a compass resting on a bed roll: an hour with no direction, no idea, swallowed by the other, not in dark but rather in a vague receding white. When itContinue reading “Embarking”

New Hampshire Notches in December

by Parker Towle Crawford Notch—no views, today watery snow crusts the headlights, pebbles the windshield. Deepening ruts of a car that struggles up ahead swerve with no center lines to guide. When he stops to strip ice, wet snow swirls down his neck. Back inside his reddened hands clutch the wheel. It’s too late toContinue reading “New Hampshire Notches in December”

Remembrance

by Parker Towle And so she puts extra leaves in the table, sets it for us with old china from her mother and silver purchased out of the frugality of the Great Depression. Vegetables, as from her husband’s garden steam on the stove. One great granddaughter in crinoline skirt chases another in a tousled redContinue reading “Remembrance”