Alec Solomita’s fiction has appeared in the Southwest Review, The Mississippi Review, Southword Journal, and The Drum (audio), among other publications. He was shortlisted by the Bridport Prize and Southword Journal. His poetry has appeared in The Ekphrastic Review, Gnashing Teeth Publishing, The Galway Review, Bold + Italic, Litbreak, Subterranean Blue Poetry, The Blue Nib, Red Dirt Forum, and elsewhere.  His chapbook, “Do Not Forsake Me,” was published in 2017 and is still available at Finishing Line Press and Amazon. His first full-length book of poetry was published last April by Kelsay Press. He lives in Massachusetts.

Autumn

I found Anne on the sundeck,
in a curlicued white iron chair
weeping,

her only comfort
the insubstantial pillow
beneath her.

Before her
was a round white
iron table with a faux fall
vase in its center and
chairs that matched hers.

Behind her were the burnt orange hills
of Vermont with some crimson patches
blinking through here and there
along with some swaying amber.

Anne swayed as well
with every other sob
and her broad face
was rosy as a fall leaf.

I was bringing her the program
of the “celebration of
life” for her youngest daughter,
but stopped when
I saw her and found
my way inside, walking backwards.