Alice Mackenzie Swaim's poetry is universal, timeless, extraordinary.

Born in Scotland of intellectual parents, she lived a life, according to her husband's words, in "a cultural environment extraordinaire . . . traveling in Europe . . . studying the cities, cathedrals and museums." At age l7, the family emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Alice's father preached at the Western Theological Seminary and later at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Alice married William T. Swaim, a student of her father at the Western Theological Seminary, then moved into the Central PA area for the remainder of their lives.  Alice died on February 15, 1996, at age 84. William died on July 30, 1999, at age 92. Both are interred in the Big Spring Cemetery, Newville, Pennsylvania.

Although her poetic career did not begin until she was about 36 years of age, she became world renowned, earning prestigious awards such as Poet-Laureate of the Sonnet and Scottish-American Poet-Laureate She received more than 800 poetry awards, was recognized in approximately 35 Who's Who's, including The World's Who's Who of Women, Who's Who of American Women and International Who's Who in Poetry. It has been reported that she published more than 8000 poems.

My book, A Poet for the Ages, is a tribute to this outstanding poet. Its purpose is to bring about a renaissance of her writings. During her later years, somewhat like Emily Dickinson,  Alice became what may have been termed reclusive. Fortune smiled on me while I was teaching high school English, as my students were introduced to her outstanding poetry through visits to my classroom by Alice's husband, William. I was also invited into their home to spend joyous hours discussing her poetry, an honor I will never forget.

For anyone who loves poetry and appreciates the mastery of one who has earned so many accolades for her work,  particularly for her mastery of the sonnet, I would suggest reading and reflecting on the universal, insightful beauty and intellectual worth of Mrs. Swaim's work.

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.

-Alice Mackenzie Swaim

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Joan Prescott, member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, published A Poet for the Ages in November of 2008.  Joan holds an M.Ed from Shippensburg University, has taught English, Journalism and Speech on secondary levels for 25 years, as well as English on the college level. She has lectured on Alice Mackenzie Swaim's poetry in various venues and is a published writer on this subject. Her purpose and pride in authoring this tribute is to make available Alice's exquisite poetry to this generation and generations to come.

You may contact Ms. Prescott directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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