Alarie Tennille was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia with a genius older brother destined for NASA, a ghost, and a yard full of cats. A Phi Beta Kappa, she graduated from the University of Virginia in the first class that admitted women (B.A. with distinction in English). She met her husband, graphic artist Chris Purcell, in college. She still misses the ocean, but loves the writing community she's found in Kansas City. After a career ranging from technical editor to greeting card writer, Alarie is retired and has more time to focus on her poetry writing. She serves on the Emeritus Board of The Writers Place. Alarie's poems have appeared in numerous journals including Margie, Poetry East, Coal City Review, I-70 Review,English Journal, Wild Goose Poetry Review, and Southern Women's Review. To learn more about Alarie, please visit her website: atenni@mac.com