Of hell. A reckless fancy for the elements To right a wrong. In whose mind can only see What’s been stolen, not the adoration Always there for the taking. From nature. Under the rain, when the rain finally came, Poor Billy, poor stuttering fuck. “God bless Your children, and I’ll take care of your wife.” […]
Contributors 72
Philip Pardi: Three Sonatinas
1. When it comes to this I’ve taken to folding my hands just so so just holding becomes being held see how clear it is that no word could do what no words now do and all I am is astonished at how singly we step in our steps then out. ________________ 2. We move […]
Philip Pardi: Sonata
From our small balcony I watch you come near, arms about a burlap sack bearing the full spectrum of fruit watch as you pause on the baker’s stoop note how he makes you laugh deep from your knees think I must learn how he does that. Early afternoon, early autumn, late in my youth I […]
Danielle Pafunda: Nomenclature
If they’ve been trying to kill me, it’s the threat that’s dead. In a small metal flag. In a safety deposit box. Is the sweet metal key a tack on the tongue? Is the key ever tart? Wanted to call him daddy, pop, poppa, or pappy. Her; she was a bat, a shit. Lovey. Rich, […]
Daniel Nester: Notes on the Last Queen Song
“Untitled Hidden Track,” from Made In Heaven (1995, posthumously released) [Untitled Hidden Track, 0:00-1:31] This song I’m singing tonight as this one echoes—it’s a dirge cover of a happy hit, the old song’s pep slowed down, until each note jumps in its slowness, until each syllable swells on an axis, slow and bare. And it […]
Adrian Matejka: Fela Dreams of Unknown Soldiers
You dream hectic polysyllabics, its consolation— an open power fist, put to skin: unmindful war chants, cowrie shells in dozens. You dream of coral snake: lips and horn like another new woman. To the left, a refrain of Queens not thinking about obiri’s crowd. Right, horn stacks shelling number one son Femi. Dream of making […]