Poet / Author
Poet. Carpenter. Builder of language.
BOOKS
In My Sea Cliff Years of Innocence
Glenn D’Alessio‘s poems have appeared in places such as: the Sahara; Sparrow Grass anthologies; Cellar Roots; Ballard Street Poetry Journal; Borderlands; the Virgogray Press: Chapbook Edition.; and, his chapbook, “In My Sea Cliff Years of Innocence,” was published in 2014 by Finishing Line Press. Online he has poetry online in the May, 2015, Blotterature, Ekphrastic! Issue. More of his poetry is forthcoming in a sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and alternative history anthology of New Dawn Unlimited, in the New Hampshire Poet Society’s anthology, You Must Remember This, .READ MORE
Whether reshaping how we think about the inner workings of a house with Buck Rogers and Little Orphan Annie, or revisiting memories of his shop teacher, Glenn D’Alessio uncovers layers of hidden truths in A Carpenter’s Building, Homes for His Poems.
With a balanced mix of humor and emotion, poems like “Toy Soldiers” explore the friction between war and everyday life, evoking both surprise and reflection. Each piece feels like a glimpse into the core of the poet’s soul, exposing the beautiful and rough knots that make his words so relatable.
D’Alessio’s strong, precise, and subtle poems mirror the art of carpentry itself. He explores not only the wooden planks, tools, and rhythmic movements of building, but also the poignancy of human connection. In one striking poem, a speaker loosens a bolt tightened twenty-two years earlier by his one-armed uncle: “I feel my uncle’s
dead strength stored for so long
give way, as if he has something to say.”
In Some Tanka in Thanks to Elroy, Not the Most Cantankerous Dog, Glenn D’Alessio shares his great love of Elroy, his rat terrier who accompanied him on walks, during his travels, and at home. In “To a Dog Person”, D’Alessio writes “The thing is, even when wizened/ with age, and jumping in sleep, / he’s but a light nudge / away from the present / and all attention / when we are demanding / a little understanding and love.” The poems are small gems and encapsulate the relationship between dog and man without judgment, but with complete acceptance of both dog and human behaviors. Oh, that all of us could learn from Elroy and open to the beauty of the world. -Susan Roney-O’Brien, Author of Thira, Earth, Farmwife, Legacy of the Last World, Bone Circle, and 1990 Winner of the Worcester County Poetry Association Poetry Prize, and 2020 Winner of the Stanley Kunitz Medal.
Between Merwin and Greger, Overtones of Poetry (Forthcoming)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenn D’Alessio lives in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, where his life and work are shaped by a deep connection to craft, landscape, and lived experience. A poet and carpenter, he brings the discipline of building into his writing, measuring, shaping, and assembling language with care and intention. His early introduction to poetry began at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, New York, where he first encountered the rhythms and influences of the Beat poets. Around that same time, a class in short fiction expanded his sense of storytelling and observation, helping to shape the quiet precision that defines his voice today. During the summer of 1971, Glenn lived simply in a homemade lean-to at Caulkin’s Creek in the Adirondacks. It was there, alongside his first dog, Seico, a white dog marked by a ring around one eye and her tail, that he experienced a kind of clarity and companionship that would remain with him for life. Since then, he has never been without a dog. That enduring bond finds one of its fullest expressions in Some Tanka in Thanks to Elroy, Not the Most Cantankerous Dog, a collection inspired by his rat terrier, Elroy. Through tanka and free verse, the poems capture moments of humor, companionship, aging, and quiet understanding, offering a gentle, unguarded portrait of the relationship between human and animal. His poetry more broadly reflects a lifelong engagement with labor and environment, from framing houses and working with wood to considering the broader impact of how we build and inhabit space. Themes of memory, family, craftsmanship, and the natural world run throughout his work, often grounded in small, precise details that reveal something larger beneath the surface. Whether writing about the weight of tools, the passage of time held in a board’s grain, or the quiet presence of those who came before, Glenn’s work seeks to uncover the structures, both physical and emotional, that shape human experience. His published works include A Carpenter’s Building: Homes for His Poems and Some Tanka in Thanks to Elroy, Not the Most Cantankerous Dog, with additional collections forthcoming.
Publishing Platform
Glenn D’Alessio’s poetry has been published through Finishing Line Press, a respected independent literary publisher dedicated to supporting both emerging and established poets. For over two decades, Finishing Line Press has cultivated voices that blend imagination, intellect, and emotional depth, qualities reflected in Glenn’s reflective, dream-driven work.
Being published with Finishing Line Press places Glenn within a vibrant community of poets exploring language, memory, and the human experience, affirming his commitment to craft and literary excellence.
News / Updates
Reading at West Brookfield Library
Join Glenn D’Alessio for a reading from his chapbook A Carpenter’s Building: Homes for His Poems. He will explore the hidden stories of everyday life and the craft of carpentry through poetry. Poem Excerpt Featured Online
An excerpt from Some Tanka in Thanks to Elroy, Not the Most Cantankerous Dog appears on Ekphrastic!, capturing the quiet humor and gentle companionship between man and dog.
Enter the Conversation: Pre-Orders Now Open
We are thrilled to announce that Between Merwin and Greger, Overtones of Poetry has entered its pre-order stage. Stepped in lyrical observation, this reflective collection explores memory, spirituality, and our changing environment through an unexpected poetic dialogue. Secure your pre-order copy today and join us on this contemplative journey.
Poetry & Jazz Series – April Readings ( West Brookfield, MA)
In celebration of National Poetry and Jazz Month, a free series of poetry readings and live jazz will be held every Tuesday in April at 6:00pm at the Merriam-Gilbert Public Library in West Brookfield, MA.
Opening Night – April 7
Glenn D’Alessio and Susan Roney-O’Brien will read, with live jazz performed between the readings.
Full Schedule
April 7
Jerry Wilfong (bass) & Dick Hummel (trumpet/percussion)
Glenn D’Alessio & Susan Roney-O’Brien (poetry)
April 14
Jerry Wilfong (bass), Mitch Seidman (guitar), Chet Williamson (harmonica)
Clair Degutis & Jim Beschta (poetry)
April 21
Jerry Wilfong (bass), Rich Falco (guitar), Rich Ardizzone (trombone)
Judith Ferrarra & Jonathan Blake (poetry)
April 28
Solo bass recital: Jerry Wilfong
Beth Sweeney & Stephen Campiglio (poetry)
To reserve a seat, please call: (508) 867-1410
Free and open to the public. All are welcome.
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