The Truth About Zombies
My name is Erin and I am not a zombie, though my boyfriend, the gangster, Ryu, and the ghoul, Clément, tried to make one of me. They nearly succeeded, too, but Clément blew it—as he usually does—and although I no longer speak, appear to be totally apathetic, and exhibit other zombie-like behaviors, I was not really “made” in the traditional sense. I still have my will. If you read the official accounts, you’ll find that Erin Orison, the talented and rebellious only daughter of American ambassador,...Fireflies after thunder...
“There is a kind of beetle in Malaysia, one with shimmering capabilities—a firefly. … Clouds of these creatures buzzed and circled just below the forest canopy … Beneath them the forest floor was bright, the broad-leafed ferns, spiky flowers, and twining creepers...
Killer Plants
Yesterday’s beautiful poem and the accompanying image invited some lively reflection on the peculiar talents of carnivorous plants. Insects and arthropods—maybe even humans—beware! These plants have odd appetites. And you have to admire their sneaky methods of attracting killing...
Amor Oscuro
Is Spanish the language of darkest love or is it French? Today I vote for Spanish. And to prove my point: a little bit of Francisco X. Alarcón’s DE AMOR OSCURO (Of Dark Love)—sonnets in the Neruda tradition. Alarcón writes in Spanish (this poem translated in to English by Francisco...
Dead Love Lovers
It’s unusual … but apparently some publishers and booksellers LOVE zombies. Bless them. Stone Bridge Press and Book Passage are making it easy to pre-order DEAD LOVE. All you have to do is hit the Stone Bridge link here or in the banner. Or, you can go directly to Book...4. Pachinko Palace (2)
My new teacher, my sensei, watched me dance—ballet, butoh, modern jazz. It was exhilarating. I did my best. He said, “You have a talent I have not seen for a very long time.” Then he bowed. “I have a part in my new ballet. You will dance for me?” he asked gently. “I would be so honored,”...
Tattoo 2
“Large brown velvet moths settled upon each of her breasts. An orchid opened on one shoulder, a striped gecko displayed the inside of its mouth on the other. South Sea islands showed up on her belly and disappeared into the shaved split between her legs. A sea serpent slid down her...
Strange Devices
Ink and skin, what a combo. It’s been cool since the days of five-thousand-year-old ötzi the ice man. They found his frozen body on a mountain between Austria and Italy back in 1991. He had 57 tattoos! Even the word is tasty: Tatau in Polynesian; in Tahitian, tatu. Tattoo....