Autumn 2026
Masterson Hegel Makes the Most of it
Masterson Hegel was born with big old lobster claws in place of hands. “Woe is me,” cried his mother when she saw what had befallen him. “My son has been…
“Sed the Friend”
Though the following might at first appear to be an alternative history fantasy, these are actual historical documents, though condensed. In 1752 Jemima Wilkinson, eighth of twelve children, was born…
Dragon
I’m driving west through the Lincoln Tunnel when I sense there’s someone in the back seat of my car. A glance in the rear view mirror confirms it. A dragon…
The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe: A Spirit Speaks
Released in 1971 . . . for years, this album was cherished by crate diggers. Now, the music has been brought back into circulation . . . It is the…
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Wet
The jar was an iridescent plastic, illuminated by the spotlight overhead, as if carved from an abalone shell. Its font was feather light and swooping, its words promising and seductive.…
The Machinehouse Keeper
I thought I wanted this job. I make thrice as much as the Chief of Surgery the next highest paid townie. A bit ironic because when I was chipped he…
Psychic Courtyardism
You have a substack called “Psychic Courtyardism?” What is that? Before social media, I used to put on klezmer shows with friends and for each show I would try to…
Seraphina Powell: Translating from Russian
How did you get involved with Russian? It was a matter of feminism. I was trying to find women poets who I could admire without reservation, I’d studied Latin in…
The Therigatha: parts 1 & 2
The Therigatha, “Songs of the Elder Nuns,” is the earliest collection of poetry composed by women composed in India, and indeed one of the earliest such anthologies in any language.…
The Bedtime Story
“Only children can see them,” the mother told her son while tucking him into bed. “Who?” asked the little boy. “Why, the Shadow Children of course,” she said, pulling the…
Sex and Death and Sacred Harp: An Interview with Th. Metzger
We reviewed Th. Metzger’s book, Strong Songs of the Dead, here. It may be purchased from Amazon here 96 You’ve been involved in Sacred Harp (A.K.A. shape note) singing for…
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Delmira Agustini: poems from El Libro Blanco
These poems are translated from Agustini’s 1907 book, El Libro Blanco, which appeared when she was twenty-one. She shows a Rimbaud-like precocity, easily matching the most sophisticated creations of Europe’s…
Pelleasters 2 : Bizarre Affectations
Esteemed Sir, Permit me, if you will, to recall our recent discourse at Paillard’s, where your gracious interest in the humble collection of treasures at my residence, namely, the venerable…