Alirium: a Sim for All Seasons

Written by Dulcie Mills Machinima by Clark Abismo

As most of us say goodbye to summer and welcome the cooler fall months, it’s always interesting to see the changes in Second Life. Halloween sims open, shops begin to sell autumn clothing and decorations, leaves begin to fall from SL autumn trees. But in a few sims, all the seasons are represented year round. One of the most beautiful is the Alirium sim: http://slurl.com/secondlife/alirium/132/122/66 . Two members of the RezLibris staff visited there recently and wrote and illustrated a poem that was inspired by its surroundings.     SL SEASONS We met in Winter skating on a virtual ice rink. Afterwards, we shared a hot chocolate drink. We kissed under an animated mistletoe as we walked through a forest of white prim snow. In Spring, we planted a virtual garden on a sim called Honey Creek where we rented a cottage for 500 Lindens a week. A lucky elephant guarded our dell while sweet bunnies perched by the wishing well. We picnicked under a blossoming cherry tree, watched as multi-colored butterflies flapped their wings and pledged our love with golden Xstreet rings. In Summer, we celebrated becoming partners with a wedding at which all our close friends attended in a rezzed fairytale setting. Although the roses didn't smell and the cake was taste- and calorie-free, the sim didn't crash, and everyone teleported safely. The birds sang and the bells rang even a flamingo joined the gang. Everyone toasted our Second Life marriage with champagne. By Fall, we had an island house, boats, planes, and everything so much that real life had yet to bring. For Halloween, we decorated our home with ghosts and pumpkins, went dancing in costumes with new shapes and skins The green leaves in our meadow turned red, gold, and brown We gave thanks for all our searching had found. Now, as the SL seasons change again, we reflect on winter dreams that end the year spring rainbows which suddenly appear, summer rain that feeds the flowers, autumn's leaves that fall in shorter hours What we imagine can be real whether born in fantasy or created on a computer screen The eye of the beholder can still see all forms of virtual beauty, from under the sea or above the air in beautiful sims such as Alirium.