Apostrophe 1. Rhet. A figure of speech, by which a speaker or writer suddenly stops in his discourse, and turns to address pointedly some person or thing, either present or absent; an exclamatory address. (OED) Renowned poet E.D. Blodgett extends his lyrical meditations to the limits of human knowing in Apostrophes VII: Sleep, You, a Tree. By remaining true to the ancient trope of direct address, he is able to sustain the merest suggestion of the infinite complexity of the natural world beyond "You," and thereby impress his breathtaking vision. Via sumptuous imagery commanded by musical lines and understated language, readers are invited to partake in the greatest marvels that happen to be all around us, and accessible to us, every day.
