On the Via Romea, in November by Paul J. Willis Steep, muddy trail slides down from Rocca Ripésena to a quick pair of teal-gray streams joining under a slippery log. Hazelnut, maple, cottonwood contribute their gold coins to the current, sending last wishes for a new year. —from Orvieto
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Archive for Poems
Posted by Melissa on
September 22, 2025
On the Via Romea, in November
Posted by Melissa on
September 22, 2025
Shutters
Shutters by Paul J. Willis In Orvieto, the cobblestone alleys barely keep the walls apart, the walls of tufa quarried from the cliffs below. Doors and windows face each other like next of kin all into one another’s business. Across the way from my apartment, a pair of fretted bird cages hang in front of […]
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Milton vs. Gerwig*
Milton vs. Gerwig* by Paul J. Willis First came Adam, then came Eve— an afterthought, I do believe. But first came Barbie, then came Ken. When you’ve got Margot, who needs men? *Orlando Reade, “Greta Gerwig’s Paradise Lost,” Literary Hub 23 August 2023 —from Losing Streak
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
A Few Miles above Tintern Abbey
A Few Miles above Tintern Abbey by Paul J. Willis I’m fairly certain that I saw the abbey from the air— or, at least, the River Wye still gently winding there. The evening gloom was settling in with clouds in drifts and drecks, as on my way from London town I flew to LAX. This […]
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Losing Streak
Losing Streak by Paul J. Willis Contrail crossing sky, contrary to the eye— wild blue abraded (why?) into a gassy sty. —from Losing Streak
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Winter Valentine
Winter Valentine by Paul J. Willis When I have the flu, will you, my Valentine, make chicken stew? Or when I say achoo! will you, my Valentine, leave for Peru? When I don’t have a clue, will you, my Valentine, provide a few? Oh do and don’t and do! For you, O Valentine, are my […]
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Oleander
Oleander by Paul J. Willis (Nerium oleander) Oleander! Take a gander at these whorls of creamy flowers. If you eat them, you’ll deplete them and destroy your mortal hours. Yet by highways and in byways you will see them bloom and thrive. In Hiroshima it may seem a miracle: They stayed alive. —from Losing Streak
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Reassurance
Reassurance by Paul J. Willis for Tom Schmidt My friend the scholar now supposes violets blue and red the roses are the limit of his poses as a poet when his prose is Matthew, Mark, and Luke (and Moses). What he writes and what he knows is fit and fine, and sweet encloses. —from Losing […]
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Song of the Mosquito
Song of the Mosquito by Paul J. Willis I whine by day, I whine by night; your flesh, it whets my appetite. Within your powers do what you may— you can swat or you can spray— but in the end I will succeed and pierce your skin to fill my need. For God made me […]
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Posted by Melissa on
April 23, 2024
Stevens Park
Stevens Park by Paul J. Willis Purple sage and purple nightshade, mingled in the morning sun, wild roses and nasturtium, sweet bay laurel lately won by our recent poet laureate, who, if she by chance were here, would give words to each new blossom, rhyme to scan this time of year. But since she dwells […]
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Copyright © 2026 by Paul J. Willis, Poet, Author, and Professor | 805.565.7174 |
Website by Michaels & Michaels Creative, LLC | Photography by Brad Elliott
Website by Michaels & Michaels Creative, LLC | Photography by Brad Elliott