Wellerism (Fourth Issue) magazine of speculatives and shenanigans

Wellerism magazineofspeculativesandshenanigans

FourthIssue

AbouttheCover:

Oneofthemanyfuturisticdigitalartsofaprodigywho lovestoread,writeandplayonlinegamesthatdepicts theclawlikepartsofahuman-machinehybridshowing thatwiththeseunguiculatedhandsandfeet,someone couldgrabanyinformationalongthewayoflifeThese extremitiescanalsobeusedtostickorholdtogetherand resistseparationfromliteratures

Wellerism:magazineofspeculativesandshenanigans,FourthIssue Publishedquarterly(November,February,MayandAugust)byWJ ManaresAnnualSubscriptionPhP666(shippingfeenotincluded)viaGCash orPayPalSomeprintedcopiesareusedasapartofthephilanthropiceffort forthosewhowantedtoreadbutcannotbuyexpensiveliteraturesinthe PhilippinesElectroniceditionisalwaysavailableNOBUDGET?NO

PROBLEM!WealsosenditforFREEviaEmail,youcanalsoview/read onlineviaISSUUwebsiteSubmissionsarealwayswelcomeEditor:WJ ManaresISSN2984-7451Copyright©2023byWJManaresAllrights

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BOMBARDMENTS:

TextusRapidus:FlashesofLies

Tularaemic:InfectiousPoems

TUNGAWTALES

RavedHues:BookReviews

Writhings:TheWriteThings

ft.MAWI

Szybki:QuickiesofChristopherT. Dabrowski

Botheration:BlastsfromMichael

Brockley

HomeQuarantinedFilipinoArtists

Shitshot:Pooh-poohedPhoto

TextusRapidus:FlashesofLies

Screams

TheupstairsapartmentwhereBoydlivedwasdraftyandold,but hedidnotwishtomovebecausetherentwasreasonableThere wasabalconyattachedtothefrontofhisapartmentwherehe couldsitinalawnchairwithaglassofcoldteaandlookout overthecityHowever,hispeacehadbeeninterruptedrecently bysomeonescreamingintheapartmentnexttohimItsounded likeawomaninagonyTherewerepleasforhelp,andBoyd decidedamanwasbeatinghiswife.Thecurtainswerealways closed,andhecouldseenothingwhenhetriedtolookintothe roomfromhisbalcony

Attimes,maniacalcacklingcamefromtheplaceAcoupleof nutsmustliveoverthere,hethought.Hehadknockedonthe neighbor'sdoorseveraltimes,buttherewasnoanswerThe doorwasalwayslockedBoydhadonlyseenthemanoncein theelevatorHewasbigandhairywithaperpetualscowlHe lookedlikeawifebeater,forsure

Astimemovedon,Boydbecamemoreandmoreconcerned aboutthepoorwomanwhowasbeingbeatenThreeorfour timesaweekheheardherscreamingforhelpHedecidedtotell someone,butthelandlorddidnotcareaslongashewasableto collectrentHetoldBoydifthecouplekilledeachother,he couldalwaysfindarentersincehousingwasscarce

BoydwenttothepoliceprecinctThere,hewastoldbyabored deskclerkthatthepolicewoulddonothingwithoutprobable causePeoplescreamedandfoughtallthetimeIfthepolice showedupeverytimetherewasadisturbance,therewouldbe noofficerstorespondtorealcrimeHesuggestedthatBoyd purchaseearplugsifhewantedpeaceandquiet

OneFridaynightafterwork,Boydwasverytiredandwantedto sitoutsideanddrinkawhiskeysourandrelaxThedayhad beenhecticwhereheworkedatthenewspaperofficeHewas halfwayintohisthirddrinkwhenthescreamingbeganItmade hisskincrawltothinkthatpoorwomanwasbeingbeatenagain, andnoonecared

Hesethisdrinkontoaside-tableandstoodIfnoonewould help,hesupposeditwasuptohimMaybehecouldtalkthe womanintogettingarestrainingorderagainstthatmaniacHe silentlyclimbedoverthebarrierthatconnectedwithhis neighbor'sandwalkedtoaslidingglassdoorwhichwas coveredbyaninsidecurtain

HelistenedforamomentThescreaminghadsubsided,He slowlytriedthedoorandwasrelievedtofinditunlockedHe slippedinside,notknowingwhathewasgoingtodoorsaybut willingtodowhatwasnecessarytosavethepoorwomanIt wascompletelydarkinsidetheapartment

Boydeasedalong,holdingontothefurnitureandwallsashe madehiswaythroughtheroomsHejumpedwhenheheard,

"Stopit,you'rekillingme!"Agruff,malevoicereplied, "Ifyoudon'tshutup,Ireallyamgoingtokillyou"Then,that madlaughtereruptedJustasBoydstuckhisheadaroundthe doorahardblowpushedhimbackwardHeknockedovera tablelampandendedonthefloorGroggy,heshookhishead, tryingnottoloseconsciousness

Anotherblow,thenanother,withwhatseemedtobeaballbat Pummeledtodeathatlast,Boydlayonthefloorinafetal position,hisbloodsinkingintothecarpetHiskillerthrewthe batasideandturnedonalight

"Youdidn'tthinkI'dknowyouwereinhere,didyou?"he askedthecorpse"Icouldtellbythebreezethatcameinwhen youslidthedooropen"Themanpromptlycalledthepoliceand toldthemhehadkilledanintruder

Whenthepoliceandambulancearrived,theywereinvitedinto seethehandiworkofamonsterBoydwascompletely unrecognizable,hisheadbeatentoapulpTheneighborsaidhe thoughtitwasthemanwholivednextdoorbutcouldn'tbesure Boyd'spocketsweresearched,andhisidentificationfound

"We'vegottenseveralcomplaintsfrompeoplearoundhereabout youabusingsomeone,"apolicesergeantcommented

"Oh,repliedtheneighbor,“that’sRaleigh,mytalkativeMyna birdHe'sbeensoannoyingandloudlatelyI'vebeen threateningtogivehimaway!"-DorthyMcCarthy

MindlessFun(Part2)

Backinthebedroom,Joshpulledoutthelittlecasethathadthe toolsinthatwereusuallyondisplayintheantiquecabinetinthe labwhereweweresometimeslecturedWeknewtheywouldn’t bemissedforanight

Theydidn’tlookveryintimidatingThechiselmaybe,because ofitspointButthehammerwasverysmallItwasheavy, though,socouldgiveagoodthrust,butbesidesthat,itcould havebeenpartofachild’sDIYplaykit

-Areyousureyouwanttodothis,Gret?Joshasked

-I’msure,Isaid,pickinguptheoldhammerandchisel-You know,Iwasn’treallylyingwhenIsaidIwasfeelinginan experimentalmoodtonightHewasn’ttoknowthatitwastosee ifalobotomisedprofessionalpersoncanpassashighly functioning

Istartedlaughing-Remember,Josh,ifKesslershowsnoeffects fromthisandcarriesonasnormal,youowemeatwenty

-Yeah,saidJosh,-IknowthebetButifhedoesstartacting weird,youowemeinstead!

-That’sfine,Isaid

-LookatthelittlepervIsn’thetheugliestbastardyou’veever seen?

Joshnoddedinagreement

IputKessleronhisbackandliftedhischinupHisheadwasin theglowofaconvenientlyplacedtablelampandhisfacewas nowangledtomakeiteasiertoworkon

-Pullaneyelidup,Josh,Iordered

Joshobeyed

IputthepointofthechiselbetweentheeyeballandtheeyelidI hadseenthisproceduredoneonatestdummyinlecturesand knewroughlywhattodoMyhandswereshakinglikeaNew Zealandnewsreader’sdesk,though,andthefirstwhackwasn’t hardenoughtopenetrateIclosedmyeyesandwilledmyselfto bestrongerIeventuallyfoundmyinnerstrengthandcourageto givetwomorewhacksthatweremuchfirmerthanthefirst OnceIwasin,Igaveaquicksidetosidewiththechisellike we’dseenperformedonthedollThisseveredcertainnerves thatwouldhopefullymakethelobotomysuccessful-thoughI hadmydoubts,hencethewager

Therewasalittleblood-notasmuchaswhatIthoughtthere’d beWecleanedupKesslerandlefthimsleepingwhileJoshand ImadelovenexttohimWejusthadtoeasethetension

Whenthesunrose,KesslerwokeandrolledinmineandJosh’s wetpatchHedidn’tnotice,though,becausehehadhisown issues-Fuckin’hell,myheadfeelslikeit’sbeendrilled,hesaid, thenpukedonthefloor

-You’llbeok,Isaid,-you’rejusthungoverAlso-incaseyou don’tremember-Ipokedyouintheeyebyaccidentduringthe heatofthemomentYoumaybefeelingsomediscomfort

-Sowedidfuckthen?askedKessler,rubbinghistemple

-Oh,yes,Isaid-ItwasmagnificentMyareasarestillburning!

KesslerlookeddisappointedHedidn’tadmittonothavingany memoryofit,buthisfacesaiditall

Joshnoddedandsaid,-Yeah,itwasathrill!I’llmakeyoua coffeeandgetyouacabhome,Professor-youprobablydon’t wanttohangaroundanylongerthanwhatyouhavetoI appreciatetherecanbealotofawkwardnessafterathreesome

Wesenthimonhisway,nonethewisertothetrueeventsofthe night

JoshturnedtomeHelookeddownbeatabouttheprofessor’s condition-Nochange,hesaid,-lookslikeyouwereright,GretlobotomiesareamythHere’syourtwenty

-Thankyou,Isaid

-I’mstillawinner,though,Joshannounced-Rememberthe sexualfavoursyoupromised?Youmustplugmenow

AndplughimIdidIgotthebiggeststraponfrommy collectionandtookgreatprideintyingJoshupandviolating himHelovedit,tooBlesshimHe’sadominatrix’sdreamHe beggedandbeggedOneofthemmayhavebeenasafeword Tobehonest,Icouldn’trememberitifitwas

Afewdayslater,Iwasinthecampuscanteeneatingasecond ratelasagneforlunchwhenJoshcameover,atrayfulloffood inhishandsandhisrucksackfallingdownhisarmbyaloose strap

-Haveyouheardthenews?heasked,excitementrisinginhis voiceHeputthetraydownonthetable,hisbagonthefloor andsat

-Yeah,Isaidthroughamouthfulloffood,reachingintomytop pocketandpullingoutthetwentynotelikeitwasabadgeof honourIstartedtowaveit-Iwonthebet,Iwonthebet,Iwon theeffingbet!Whatdoyouwanttowageronnext?

-Stoptryingtowindmeup,saidJosh-Anyway,thisshouldpop yourbubble

HepulledhisphoneoutandturnedittowardsmeTherewasa localnewsstoryonthescreenItread,

UniversityProfessoronNewPath

DrJamesKessler,alecturerinthemedicaldepartmentatthe localuniversity,hasdecidedlecturingisnotforhimanymore andispleasedtoannouncehisretirementfromtheprofession Hehasdecidedtoconcentratehiseffortsonrunningasa MemberofParliamentfortheareaatthenextgeneralelection Joshsaidwithglee,-Toldyathere’dbebraindamage,didn’tI! Andwiththathewhippedhistwentybackandheldouthishand foranother-LJJacobs

CatchingUp

IneverthoughthewastoooldIneverthoughtI wastooyoungIthoughteverythingwasfine

AtthecompanywhereIhadmyfirstjob,most peoplewentoutforlunchButtherewasasmalllunchroomand afewofusatethere,includingBigTexfromproduction,Little Jimfromthemailroom,mefromaccounting,andhimfromsales Foronehouraday,wegotalonglikeoldfriendsWeswapped stories,kiddedeachother,advisedeachother

Sure,IflirtedwithhimIknewhehadjustbroken upwithagirl,hadbeenhurtandprobablywaslookingfor companyThatyear,whentheweathergotnice,heandI,atmy urging,quietlyslippedawayfromourregulartablewithTexand JimandatelunchoutsideonapicnicbenchWebegantoshare moreHewasn’tlikemeHereadbooks,wenttoforeignfilms, andcaredaboutpoliticsImostlygoofedaroundwithmy girlfriendsandwasapplyingtodummycollegesButwhenI askedhimtogowithmetomysister’swedding,heaccepted

Icouldtellhewasuncomfortable,especiallywhenI introducedhimtomyparentsAllhethoughtaboutwasageHe didn’tdaretouchmeandheactedlikehewasmybossor something,someoneuninvolvedandwithoutemotionaltiesNo surpriseAtwork,whensomeonewalkedbythepicnictable, he’ddothesamethingEvenso,wehadfunattheweddingIn thecomingweeks,usingmydad’sseasontickets,Istarted askinghimtoPhilliesgames.Tohim,Iwasacompanion.I didn’twantacompanionIwantedaboyfriendThisplatonic shithadtoend

Afteragameonenight,Isaid,“Youknowwhat yourproblemis?You’reahomosexualanddon’tknowit” Prettybrashonmypart,andhedidn’ttakeitwell,whichmeans IgotthedesiredresponseInjustawinkofaneye,withbarely timetosayanythingelse,heprovedmewrongWhatanight MyfirsttimeAndthereweremanymore

Iknewitwouldn’tlastOneweekendhewasgoing downtheshoretoapartyatahousehisfriendwasrenting Reluctantly,heaskedmetogoItjustsohappenedthata girlfriendofmineneededalifttoherfamily’sbeachhouseI askedifshecouldridealongHeagreedDuringthethree-and-ahalf-hourdrive,mygirlfriendandIchatted,laughed,and gossipedHesaidnothingWhenwearrivedathisfriend’s house,theguycameouttomeetusandhegreetedhimwitha hugesenseofreliefandsaid(Iheardthis),“ThankGod!An adult”

AweeklaterhetoldmeitwasoverHeexpressed greatguiltatdatingamuchyoungergirlHesaiditwaswrong, andbad,nearlycriminal

“ButI’m20,”Isaid,andcriedItdidn’thelp

TheyearswentbyIbecameadentalhygienist,got married,twokids,gainedweight,hadamastectomy,didn’tsee him--untillastweekWewerehavingmybirthdaypartyatone ofthoserestaurantswherethewaitstaffmakesaloudsceneand singsyoualamesongHewasthere,recognizedmeandcame overNotmuchhair,gray,somewhatpaunchyIstoodandwe huggedHelookedatthecakeonthetable,noticedthetwo candles,a“6”anda“3,”andsmiled

“IguessI’mfinallyintheclear,”hesaidAndthat wasthat-LannyMorgnanesi

WhoLetTheDogsOut?(Part1)

MikeCordoncameupwiththeideawhilebeingservedatthe localbutcher’sandseeingalltheportionedmeatondisplayHe wasgoingtogetridofthewindowsalesperson’sbodyby cuttingitintosmallmanageablepiecesandputtingthemone aftertheotherintoatubofacidHewouldwaituntiltheflesh dissolved,leavethebonestodry,breakthemupwithahammer, thenpourthelotdownthetoilet

Goodriddance!Problemsolved

Itwasriskyhavingthecadaveronhispremisesasthepolice mightcomesnoopingaroundatanymoment-whichtheywere boundtodooncethemissingman’sroutewasdisclosedbyhis companyandretraced

Itwouldbetoughandhardwork,butMikecametothe conclusionthatitwouldallhavetobedoneinnomorethantwo daysifhewantedanychanceofgettingawaywithhissilly mistake

-Hello?

ItwashisturnHewasdaydreamingsomuch,heforgothewas inthemiddleofpurchasinghisneighbour’sbelovedpork sausages

-Pardon?

-Isaid,isthatenough?Thebutcherpointedtothescales

-Sorry,Iwasawaywiththefairies,saidMike-That’llbe perfectMrsDavenportwilllovethemThanks,Mervin

Mikeusuallyshoppedforhishouseboundneighbourwhenever hedidhisownshoppingShewasaniceharmlesssoulwho displayedearlysignsofdementiaaswellassufferingfrom severeagoraphobiaSheonlywantedsausagestoday

ThebutcherbaggedthesausagesHedidthatshowytrickmost butcher’sdobyswingingthebagofmeattoaclosethen pushingthetightenedendintoatapewrapperItwasalwaysfun watchingthatbit

Thebutcherexchangedthepackofsausagesforthecorrect moneythenwenttoputitinthetillatthebackAtthatmoment, apackofstraydogsranintotheshopthroughthecustomerdoor Ithadbeenwideopen,unfortunately

-Fuck!criedthebutcher-It’sthosebastardstraysagainHe calledtoMike,-Closethehatch!Closethehatch!

ButitwastoolateThefourmangydogsmadethemostofthis goldenopportunityanddartedthroughanotherdoortoanarea outofsightThatwaswherethemostdesirablesmellswereThe offcuts!Yummy!

Theysoonemergedwiththeirmouthsfull

Adirtygoldenretrieverhadapig’shead,askinnystunted GermanShepherdhadatrotter,apatchybrownbordercolliehad ahindlegandanunidentifiablemongrelhadacoilofbloody entrails

-Comeback‘ereyouthievingpackoftwats,shoutedthebutcher Buttheyignoredtheprotestsandscamperedwiththeirprizes

ThebutcherandMikefollowedthemoutside,buttherewasno chanceofcatchingthem-theywerefartoofastTheyrandown thehighstreet,theonlysignofsomethingdodgyaboutthem beingthebloodytrailsmadebytheirbounty

-Bloodythieves!repeatedMervin-Ithoughtthecouncilwould havedealtwiththatpackofstraysbynowThey’vebeen causingtroublealloverthistownforweeksI’mgonnahaveto scrubtheshopfromtoptobottomnow Miketurnedandsmiled-You’llhavetobemorecarefulin future,Merv MervinlookedunimpressedashesilentlyputMike’smoneyinto apocketonthefrontofhisoverall

Hemouthedafriendlybutappropriate,-Fuckyou,Mike Mikelaughed ***

-Helloagain,MrsDavenport,calledMike,usingthekeyunder theplantpottolethimselfinShe’dtoldhimtodothisatthe startoftheirshoppingarrangement

-Again?Haveyoualreadybeentoday?Theoldwomanwas hunchedoveramessyjigsawatherkitchentable

-Yes,Icameearliertoseeifyouwantedanythingfromtown, remember?YousaidsomesausageswouldbeniceHerethey are

Mikeheldupthebag

-Oh,so,Idoknowyou?

-Yes,I’myourneighbourMikeMikeCordon Shesatinsilenceforamoment,thendeclared,-Yes,Iremember! You’remyboy!Anthony.Howareyoudear?

-Er,Mike

-Yes,AnthonyHowisAngela?Andthetwins?Ibetthey’re teethingbynowandbothofthemdrivingyouandAngelapotty AsfarasMikeknew,AnthonyandAngelahadbeeninAustralia fortenyears,oneofthetwinsworkedintheadultfilmindustry andtheotherwasapodiatristchargingextortionatepricesdown inLondon

MikedecidedtoplayalongItwasnousetryingtocorrectan AlzheimersuffererwhenhavingabaddayAndtodaywasthe worsthe’deverseentheoldlady

-They’reallfine,thankyouAnyway,I’llputyoursausagesin thefridgeuntilyou’refeelingwellenoughtocookthem

ItwouldnodoubtbethehomehelpwhodidthisShewouldbe thereatdinnertime

-Thankyou,Anthony,dear

Heputthemeatinthefridgeandlefttheoldwomanwithher unevenandmessyjigsaw

Hehadmoreconcerningthingstoattendto ***

AfterdroppingthesausagesoffatMrsDavenport’s,Mikewent hometoputhisownshoppingawayHethenwenttothegarage Itwasaspaciousareawithenoughroomforacarandachest freezerButthefreezerwasalltherewasatthemomentasthe carhadbeenleftoutsideItwasverysecludedandperfectfor thedifficulttaskthatwouldtakeuptherestofhisweekendHe wouldneedafewmoreitemsbeforebeginninginearnest, thoughAcidbeingthemainone

Ofcoursehewouldn’thavehadtodoallthisiftheyoungman who’dturneduponhisdoorstepyesterdayhadn’tbeensorude andpushy

Mikehadinsistedthathisdoubleglazingwasfineanddidn’t needupgradingButthelittlebastardwouldn’thaveanyofit

-Thewinteriscoming,he’dsaid-Thinkaboutallthatheat you’llbelosingThewindowsyouhavenowaretoooldtobe energyefficient!Think,sir!Dowhatyourheadandheartare tellingyou!

-They’retellingmetosavemymoney,he’drepliedGoodday Mikebegantoclosethedooronhim,buttheyoungmanhadhis footintheway

(Tobecontinued)-LJJacobs

ThisWillAllMakeMoreSenseFourYearsHence

Reishi,chagaandmaitakemushroomsonanemptystomach helppowderthepathasIsearchforthekeystoparadiseon earthThegardenofabsolutionThetreeoflifestrippedbare andjuiceduntiltheriveroverflowsUntilthereismoreforall UntilthesoilissoakedUntiltheseedsareplantedUntilthe flamesroarUntilthewatersrageUntilthedirtcomesclean

Butthesearenottheplantswhicheventuallyhelpedguideme throughvisionsasIlearnedthatevenfearservesanimportant purposeCrystalsanddiamondsandcolorandformNumbers andshapesandsoundsandprismsVibrationsoflightpulsingin shadesofpinkandblue,neonandtranscendent,shiftacrossa wallofwhiteMandalasmadeelectricLanguagesbornbeyond timeandspacePiercetheveilShattertheillusionExposethe secretsofeternityManifesttheesotericmiraclesofgraceand glory

Royaljellyandginsengbuzzwiththehoneybeesastobacco stingsitswaythroughspringPuffsofpassionburnferventlyin thefieryhiveofhealthyhallelujahDrinkingdeepofpotions, tonics,teas,andelixirsgatheredfromfieldsofflowersand forestsfilledwithmagicGhostswithglowingembereyesblink inandoutofexistenceMessagesfromgraveyardbonesrattle theirwaytothesurfaceanddanceSirensfromacrossthesea laughmerrilySpiritsfromunimaginablerealmssaturatethe atmosphere,amoisturesothickithangsintheairAsmogof

enlightenmentstaineduponthesceneGreyHeavyAséance thatshedstheskinofnaturallawsandweighsuponthemortal fleshAspellofsacrificeandsalvationAcandleflickeringin thewindAcircleAwheelAcycleAsphereAgearin motionAturningengineAprimalignitionAsparkof inspirationAneuronburstingwithintentionApointof progressionAdoseofevolutionAgraspofintuitionA fountainofyouth.Anonslaughtofancientwisdom.

Chlorella,algaeandgreengrassesgrownwherecowschewthe cudcaresstheliningofanalkalinesystemBacteriasmeared againsttissueandabsorbedintocells.Batteryoperatedflashesof nutritionRedbloodswarmPureoxygenplacedonalertSpine fusedandfocusedEnergyinmotionKineticmovementsof precisionHotandcoldshowersofdetoxificationBathingin activatedcharcoalandessentialoils

Perfumedsymphoniessweetlyperformasanorchestrafromthe starsalignsintheskySymmetry,balance,harmony,rhythm, cadence,andaccordfindperfectorderandsynchronizeasthe cosmicnoteseruptintonesbothhighandlowEcstatictears frommoondropbeamsAsunthatweepsitsraysuponthe worldAndthensleepAndthenrestAndthendreamAndthen wakewithasmileonyourlipsAndthenworkuntilyou’retruly awakenedAndthenwalkuntilyouarriveatthegatesAndbe atpeaceAndknowthatunconditionalloveisapowerthat neverceasestoshineitsblessingsfromthesourceSelah-Scott

ThomasOutlar

INeedToQuit

[Reachesforapackofcigarettesandlighterfrompocket]

[Takesacigaretteandlightsitup]

[Takesthefirsthitandexhalesshortlyafter]

Thethoughtofyoulingerslikethefamiliarsmellofsmokeon mybreath

[Takesahitagain]

YourreassuringeyesremindmeofyourpassionateloveYour lovelysmileremindsmeofhowhappyweusedtobe

[Exhalesthesmoke]

YouweredefinitelyeverythingthatIhaveeverwanted,notonly becauseamillionsunsetscannotcomparetoyourbeauty,but alsobecauseofhowthewayyoumademefeelItwasmore thanwhatwordscanexpress,morethanwhataheartcancontain [Takesahitagain,tearswellingupinmyeyes]

Irememberhowweusedtoholdhandsandswaythemaswe walkedonourdatesIrememberthewayyouoftenkissedme bythecheekIremembertheplayfulpunchesyouhitmewithin thearmAndIrememberyoursweetvoicecallingmyname

[Exhalesthesmoke,atearescapingmyeye]

ButIalsorememberthewayyoucalledhim“babe”despiteusI rememberthewayyoufrownedalmostthewholetimeduring ourlastdateIrememberthewayyourhandlostitscomforting touchasyouheldmine,andhowthewayyoulookedatme changedSomethingdidnotfeelright

[Takesahitagain,rubbingawaythetearsfrommyeyes]

Yourmessagesbecamecolderasourconversationsdraggedon, takingyouminutesinbetweentosendareplyWasitbecause ofsomethingIsaid?SomethingIdid?Ifoundmyselfrealizing thatmyaffectionwassuddenlynotbeingreciprocated

[Exhalesthesmoke,unabletostopmyselffromuglycrying]

IwillneverforgetthemorningthatIscreamedthemost depressingsighinmyentirelifeYoudonotwanttofightfor “us”anymoreNomore“Popoy”and“Basha”Nomatterhow muchyoutriedtoconsolemebyhowmuchIusedtomeanto you-thatIwasthesweetestandmostthoughtfulguyyou’ve evermet,andthatyouthoughtthatIwas“theone”-itdidnot changethefactthatyouleftme

[Takesahitwhileprofuselyweeping]

Thescentofyourhairthatstucktomyshoulderwasnow replacedbythereekingsmellofcigarettesmokeThesweat fromyourpalmsnolongermixeswiththesweatfrommineThe fingersthatusedtointerlockwithyoursnowholdalitcigarette TheeyesIusedtostareatyouretherealbeautynowstareinto theemptinessofthenightsky

[Exhalesthesmoke,slightlycoughing]

[Wipesthetearsoffmyface]

Thisisthe132ndcigarettesinceyouleftmeIrememberhow yougotangrythefirsttimeyousawacigaretteonmylipsI knowthatIneedtoquitthisaddictionIneedtoquitbeing drownedinthoughtsofyouasIpuffeveryhitofsmoke

[Takesahitagain]

[Animaginaryimageofherformsinthesky,smiling]

Ineedtoquitrememberinghowyoureyeslovinglylookedat mineIneedtoquitlongingtoholdyourhandIneedtoquit backreadingourconversationseverynightIneedtoquit sniffingtheshoulderpartofmyshirtjusttosmellthefaded scentofyourhairIneedtoquithearingyourvoiceinmyhead asIlieawakeatnightIneedtoquitlongingforyourkissesand hearingthesoundofyourlipskissingmycheek

[Exhalesthesmoke]

[Dropsthealmost-emptycigarette]

[Stepsonthecigarettetoputoutthelight]

[Theimaginaryimageofherintheskyfadesaway]

Ineedtoquityou-JoseAngeloBatitis

Escape:TheManinthePainting

Ihavealottotellyou,buttimecanneversufficeformeto divulgeallthesecretsaboutthedarknessthatholdsmeprisoner. Surelyyoucan’ttrustmeyet,forIsometimesdon’ttrustwhatI sayButevenifI’mlyingtoyou,lyingisbutanart,andartcan improveexistence,offeranescapefromitsmundanetraps,and evenpossessasoulMaythelatterkindbeforevercursed,just likethedaywhenIfirstsawthatghoulishoilpaintingofa forestatnightamongwhosetreesashadowfigurelurkedInthe upper-rightcorner,therewasamoonwithredlinesrunning throughitlikeveins,andinthelower-leftcorner,aGreekphrase wasinscribed:ΚΑΜIΑΔIEΞΟΔΟΣ(KAMIADIEXODOS)

ThepaintingpulsedwithlifeIcouldalmosthear thewindswish,smellthesoil,andexperiencetheisolationof thefacelessmanthatabominable,namelesspainterhaddrawn

IlookedattheGreekwriting,thenaskedtheold hawker,“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“NoEscape”

SomethingwasunnervingabouthimMaybeitwas thethick,untrimmedwhitebeard,thesun-beatenfacethat lookedlikeanunrealwaxmask,orhistoweringstaturecastinga deformedshadowonthesidewalkwherehehadsetuphisstand

“Areyougoingtogivemeabetterprice?”Iasked

Hescratchedhischin“No”

“DoIlookrichtoyou?”

“No”

“Listen,myfriend,”Iforcedmyselftosmile,then continued,“Iwantthepainting,butifIpayyouthepriceyou’re askingfor,IhavetogohungryforthreeorfourdaysSo,please givemeabetterprice”

Heeyeballedmelikealizard“NoNotabani(cent) less”

“AlrightIsee”Withthemarginsofmylipsrolled in,Ipulledoutmywallet,countedthemoney,andhandeditto him

Helickedhisthumbandcountedagain.“Tenlei.”

Hetookthepaintingoffthestandandgaveittome “ThisisagreatpaintingIt’smagical”Hecoughed,tooka cigaretteoutofthebreastpocketofhissoiled,tatteredshirt, lodgeditinthecornerofhismouth,andlitit“It’sagreat painting,Itellyou,”hespokewhileholdingthecigarettewith hislipsThesmokebillowedparalleltohisfacebefore dissipating,andthecherrybobbedupanddown

Myone-bedroomhouse,withitscrumblingwhite wallsandthatchedroof,wasontheoutskirtsofKolozsvárand hadbarelyanythingofvaluesaveforacollectionofrarebooks andsomeantiquesandstatuettesTradingsuchmacabreobjects wasmyonlymeansoflivingMyexistencewasmiserable,andI sustainedmyselfwithbeans,bread,andbeer

Therewasonebookthatfascinatedmethemost, andIrefusedtosellit,nomatterhowattractivetheoffer:The EncyclopediaofSyrianandOtherMediterraneanDemonsI’d purchaseditsomeyearsagofromanoldgypsywomanforthe meagerpriceoffiftybani

Shehadbeensittingcross-leggedonthesidewalk

whenmyeyesfelluponthebizarreleather-covertomelying beforeher,alongwithhandmadetalismansandotherstrange itemsShelaughedwhenIgaveherthecoins,tuckedthemin herbreast,andwobbledherheadThegoldencoinsembellishing herredheadscarfmadeafaintjingle

Therewasnoauthororeditornameonthebook, anditwasclearlytheproductofseveralhands,foritdetailed andsketchedalargenumberofmalevolententitiesthatnosingle soulcould’veinvestigatedinonelifetimeHowever,ofallthe demonsmentioned,therewasonethatstruckmeasmost intriguing:Saraba

Thebooksaid,“Thisamorphous,wickedfemale spiritcaninduceuntamedimaginationsinmenOnceunderher sway”Agiantinkblotwasspilledovertherestofthe paragraph

Fascinating!Whatdoesshedotohervictims?I’d oftenwonder

Thequestionisnolongeramysterytome

Afterthedrawingsleptundermyroof,Ibegan havingarecurringpleasantdream:

ThemooncastitsdiamondlightontheforestThe treeshuggedoneanother,forminghugethicketsSerenity underlayeverythingIsawTheairwasgentleandfilledwiththe sortofhappinessonefeelsatthebeginningofhisintoxication, wheneverythingsuddenlyseemsexcitingandfullofwonder

Fromthedistanthorizonwherethefullmoonsleptinaclear, starryskythepianomelodyofDebussy’sClairdeLunesoftly cameonItwasassweetasthekissofashy,nubileloverA youngwomandressedinalong,whitegownwithafacefullof

brightlightwouldthenmanifestbeforeme,extendingherhand Thesenseofpurelovethatovercamememadeitclearthatshe wasafriend

I’dalwayswakeupatthatpoint,wonderingabout theamazingthingthatcould’vehappenedhadItakenherhand

Nightafternight,thatvisionvisitedme,anditnever gotanylessbeautifulorpleasingI’dgetupwithasmile,not feelingtheonce-all-too-cripplingsorenessofsleepingonaworn -outmattress

Theblisswentonforweeks,butallgoodthings mustendOnenight,Iarousefromthatblissfuldreamtoseeher standingbythesideofmybedIrubbedmyeyesShewasstill thereImuststillbedreaming

SheextendedherhandIproppedmyselfupbythe elbowandgapedather

Aftershedrewnearer,shesaid,“It’snotadream. GivemeyourhandDon’tbeafraid”

ItfeltasthoughIhadalreadyheardhervoicea thousandtimesItwasasfamiliartomeascryingistoa newborn.

ItookherhandandstoodupWewerenowfaceto face,ourhandslockedinaloosegrip.TheaweandwonderI feltwerelikethatofamanreceivingcommunionforthefirst time

Shethenreleasedmyhandandhandedmeasmall bundle.“Takeitwithyou,andIshallguideyou,”shetoldme beforeturningintoapillaroflightthatvanishedslowly

IexaminedthebundleItwaswhiteandpureas

thoughformedfromthesamefabricofasummercloud

MyhousedoorcrackedopenIsteppedoutsideand foundmyselfintheforestfrommydreamButthistime,asense ofimpendingdoomhadreplacedtheserenityI’dfeltinmy nocturnalvisionsTheairnolongercarriedthesweetmelodyof ClairdeLuneInstead,aghastlysymphonyofhisses,howls,and chitterhadsupplantedit

Themoonlookedpaleandsick,andthestarswere merelylacerationsonthefaceoftheskyIcouldseethemoon pulsingandtremblinglikeapanickingheartIbeganfeeling light,toolight,andalthoughIcouldseemyself,Ifeltshapeless, formless

Ibeganseekinganescapefromthatgrimopen prisonMyheelssunkintothewetsoilasIfollowedthebeaten pathuntilIcameuponananthillThelittleinsectscrawledout ofitandformedastraightlineTheystartedmarchingtogether withthesenseofpurposeofanarrowabouttohititstarget Maybethey’llleadmeout,Ithought,thenjoinedthem

Wemarchedforwardwiththesamebeat,movement, andpaceTheyofferedmeafleetingsenseofbelonging,andI eventuallyfeltasfragileandinsignificantastheywereIlooked atthebundle:Itlookedsmallerandlighter

HaveIdonetherightthingbyjoiningthem?HaveI takentheformofa

Aloudnoise,similartoglassbreaking,interrupted myinternaldialogue

vomitingatthesightoftheiroilycorpses,butmyheartwasn’t touchedbysorrowIhadnotimetogrieveovertheir purposelessexistence,anyhowAllIwantedwastoescape

Ifollowedtheleadofmyaimless,lonelysteps beforefinallyhearingsqueaksandchitteringWiththe desperationofadrowningmanwhoselungsbeganfloodingwith water,IstartedtracingthesourceIwashorrifiedbywhatIsaw: rats,giantdisgustingratswiththetusksofwildboarsIdecided tojointhem,however,hopingthatthey’dhelpmefindanexit

Istoodamongthem,imitatingeveryungodlysound theyutteredArottenapplethenrolledtowardsusandstopped bymeAhairlessratwrappedinahideouswasteofskingazed atme,salivatingwithhatredandaggressionHearchedhisback, butIattackedhimfirstWesnowballedinadeathmatchAshe sloweddowntocatchhisbreath,ItooktheopportunityI clutchedathimandclosedmyjawsonhisthroat,snatchingthe lifeoutofhimHisblood,nowdrippingallovermyface,made melustformoreBoilingwithrage,IattackedtheotherratsI bittheirthroats,bathedintheirblood,andwatchedthemslowly exhalingtheirlast

Thewholeforestwasnowreekingofdeath.My senseshadtheacuityofthoseofapsychopath,andwithevery stepItook,IcouldhearsomefaintclinkingwithinthebundleI finallyopeneditSomethingredwasrolledintoaballinsideI undidit,hearingitsjingling

“So,youfoundmyscarf?”thewomanwithaface oflightfrommydreamsappearedbeforemeShesnatchedit frommyhand,thenshookit“Rememberthisrustle?”

Theantsbeganscreamingandshakinginagony, fallingoneaftertheother,likechildsoldierscaughtinthesight ofaheartlesssniper,anddissolvingintoblackpaintIfeltlike

Thelightinherfacestarteddimming,andwithin seconds,sheagedyears

Fearrenderedmespeechless

Shewasnowthewoman,thatfouloldwoman, who’dsoldmeTheEncyclopediaofSyrianandOther MediterraneanDemons.

“Itcan’tbeThismustbeanightmare,”Ifinally cried“WakeupWakeup”Ibeganslappingmyself

“It’snotanightmarenoradreamIt’saneternal vision,apaintingwithabeatingheart,”hervoicewasoffensive andprofane,likedesecratingthegraveofasaint

Shesuddenlymorphedintothehawkerwhoseface lookedlikeawaxmask“Itoldyou,thispaintingwillchange yourlife”

TherewasnodoubtinmymindthatthiswasSaraba

AsIwatchedinutterterror,feelingcoldsweatlike awetblanketonmyback,sheasked,“Doyouknowwhatthe restofthatparagraphis?”Then,withoutwaitingforareply,she continued,“Thisamorphous,wickedfemalespiritcaninduce untamedimaginationsinmenOnceunderhersway,theycanno longerdiscernbetwixtdreamandreality,andsheturnstheminto voicelessphantomsinsurrealpaintingsthatcomealivebriefly eachyeartorecounttheirtales”

God!Thereisstillmuchmoretotell,butthereisno timeThereneverisDidn’tItellyouthatinthebeginning?Do youtrustmenow?-ZaherAlajlani

CuriousGeorgehasgratedonmynervesat storytimeforyearsHemakesstupiddecisionsinthenameof curiosity,thenscampershappilyaway,leavingchaosand destructioninhiswake

Everythingalwaysturnsoutwellintheendforour cheeryheroHenevergetswhathetrulydeserves ***

“CuriousGeorgegoesHiking”isaparticularlyteeth -grindingexampleInthistale,theManintheYellowHatdrops theimpetuousmonkeyoffatatrailheadtobeledonaforest hikebytwochildren,TedandSuzie.Noadultsaresupervising. TheManintheYellowHatdrivesoff,promisingtopickthem uplaterI’mprettysureheactuallywantedtoadoptahuman child,butlackingbothcommonsenseandfashionsense,the authoritiesgavehimahardno

It’snotsomuchthatGeorgeisCuriousand thereforegetsintoscrapeseverysingleday,it’sthathisguardian isatotalmoronandGeorgehasnosenseofboundariesor frontallobes

CuriousGeorge,Ted,andSuzieheadoffalongthe trailThesunisshiningThebirdsaresinging

BONUSREAD:

CuriousGeorgeEscapesHitler

SuziegivesGeorgeabagofmarshmallowstocarry Asithappens,theironlysuppliesonthistripareabottleof waterandthisbagofmarshmallowsGeorgecarelesslytearsa holeinthebagandthemarshmallowsallfalloutalongtheway Thechildrendecidetochaseadeerinthewoods,leavingthe trailandgettinghorriblylostTheygethungryandrequest marshmallows

Atthispoint,GeorgerealizesthebagisemptyTed verballyabuseshim,sayingtheyhavenothingtoeatNowI’m startingtowonderwhatTediscarryinginthatgiantred backpackhe’sbeenhaulingaroundalldayNomap?No compass?Nofood?Maybethebagisjustfullofhisupper middle-classwhitemaleprivilegeashewhalesonpoorGeorge

EventuallythechildrendiscoverthatGeorgehasleft atrailofmarshmallowsleadingbacktothetrailheadandthey aresaved ***

Ihavespentmanyhoursofthelasttwelveyears reluctantlyreadingthesestoriestomychildrenMyanalysishas revealedthateveryCuriousGeorgestoryhasfourparts:

1CuriousGeorgedoessomethingstupid

2Somebodygetsmadathim

3CuriousGeorgedoessomethinghelpful

4Everybodycelebratesandcompletelyforgets aboutthefirststupidthinghedid

Basically,shitneverstickstoCuriousGeorgefor longHewouldmakeafantasticpolitician

Nowthat’sjustonestoryofmanyIcouldremind youofthetimeCuriousGeorgewenttothemovies,screwedup thefilmandeverybodywasdelightedtoseehimdoapuppet showwithhishandsOrthetimeCuriousGeorgewenttothe aquariumandaccidentallyreleasedallthepenguinsfromtheir enclosureButeveryonelovedhimanywaybecauseheusedhis madmonkeyskillstosaveapenguinchickfromdrowning

Thisiswherethisvitriolicessaywassupposedto endHowever,mycuriosityledmetoresearchthestory’s origins,andIhavetoconfessthatGeorgegotmeintheend,too

CuriousGeorgewaswrittenandillustratedbythe Reys,aJewishcouplelivinginParisrightbeforetheNazi invasionTheyescapedfromthecityviabicycle,themanuscript ofCuriousGeorgeinasatchelwithveryfewpossessionsYes youreadthatcorrectlyThatfictionalmonkeynarrowlyescaped HITLERForrealGeorgejusthitthetoplevelofthesympathymeterHe’sgrinningatmenowwiththatimpossiblywide mouthofhis,screeching“Checkmate”-MandyRuthnam

Tularaemic: InfectiousPoems

Thewing-lessbutterflyisanantonymtoasnail

Itiswritten,ontheforeheadofthesky, thatanychildwithoutatheoryofflowers wouldSomedaymournthemoonofitsvastness

Thedaymybodyteleportedus tomyfather’shometown, wewitnessedthepregnantbutterfly bloomintoabasketofflowers witheveryvegetativepartslowlyfadingintoexile, fadingintoscrappedblocksofakingdomwhere kingswereturbanedwithagarmentmadeoflies

Thereisadayinthecycleoftheyear wherefirestrikesthewallofmen'sface, thedaythatmemoriesusedtoflyintothesky; thebeaconoflightspillsthebeans ofourgrowthperhaphs thisisthewaymenmanagedtonurturewings Overhere,theeyethatdoesn’tseeistheeye thatrefusestobefedlight

Wheneverthewindsways beforethecurtainofourfaces, note;fingersbecomelinesoflatitude runningacrossourlongitudinalbodies

here,withourhandsweslaughterthesky, &withourmouthswelicktheblood ofthemoonso,tellme, Isthereabetterwaytomournthemadnesswe'vegrownto enjoyplaying?

-MubarakSaid Sun'sFuneral

Let'scollectsomewoods, Someghee, Somestraw, Someonerelatives, Ofthesun, Todoit'sfuneral, It'sfuneralcan'tbedone, Inearthorinasolarsystem, Wheretosearchaperfectplaceforit, Wecan'tdoanythingsunforyou, Neitherweprotectnature, Neitherwebecomegood, Norwecandoyourfuneral, Nowwithoutyouweallwilldie, Werealizeourmistakes, Wearemadandmaterialistic, Sunforgiveus, Don'tdie, Don'tleaveus, Wearecryingandbeggingforyourlife

-BinodDawadi

Kailangankongsustansiya, Nangangayayatnaattilawalangsigla

Walangbisa,angbitaminangkapsula, Naiskoparinanggatasnahinditinitimpla

Kailangankongkalinga, Namumugtonaangmgamata,nagmumutapa

Walangligaya,araw-arawaynagdurusa, Naiskongmakainomnggatasnapang-masa

Kailangankongkasama, Nalulungkotakoatnag-iisasaakingkama Walangpag-asa,pagmumukmoklangangkaya, Inaasamnamatikmananggatasmo,Sinta

Kailangankongromansa, Nahihibangnaatkumakaskaskahitwalanggitara

Walangsaya,nandiyanlangsaiyo,Sinta, Nawa'ymulingmahigopanggatasna'dinasisira

-WJManares

Goingintocharteredterritoryoncemore, Thickenedblooddrainingfromthecorpse, Thelesstoeatwith,familialgesture Kissedintorecognition,thedeedpoisoned Dissolvingintotravel,nowindowyetunopened, Watchingthecovetedstreetscapemullby, Theexcellentscriptureboastsagoodheart Pilferingoverstock,measuredintolight Aphoenix-likerebuttalinitsownglory

Notknowingaboutinspiration,orwhere'sitfrom Heatingupthecitiesforvariouscan-do, Keptontalkingonebuffetatagivenmoment Clearedovertime,thelivingdealersproclaimed Pleadingtoleave,erasingallofeverythingelse

Thevarioustestspersist,intelligenceaside, Notwatered-down,attractivegonepro-active Coldrelationshipsneverreallyhavingloved Goingintoremission,watchingafakestar, Laughingovermistakeslongoverdue,

-PatriciaWalsh

LostPercentage

Thedevilcontrolsalotofthings,notjustweather

Eatingrat-foodunderataintednose, Theworthwhilesabotagecripplestheforay

Goingintoseizuresatthedropofabonnet

Remaininggorgeousdespiteworstbets

Thissoulremainsunattended,squeaking

Iput-ipot

Kumikinangangpaligid,ako'ynapanganga, Namanghasaapoykahitwalanglampara.

Napunongilawangpunongmadahon, Mgasiganghiwaga,diwako'yiahon

Mulasapagkalugmoksakarimlangmapang-akit,

Tanglawsapanglaw,sapusikitaynagparikit

Gabayanangbalintatawnakintabaymatanaw, Luningningnapumukaw,nawa'yhindipumanaw

Kagiliw-giliw,angbawatkislapaynakakaaliw, Perlasangkawangis,tunaynanakakabaliw

Lumapitpasaakin,hagkanangakingkabuuan, Akinginaasamnasabawatgabingdadaan,ako'ymuling mabalikan

Paalamnamuna,mganingasngkalikasan, Anginyongsilabnawalangkatapusan

Kailangangmapagmasdan,upangmaliwanaganatlalopang maunawaan,

Sapagkatnagpapasiklabsadamdamin,O,lagablabsaisipan!

-WJManares

AtTheSceneOfAFeatherLanding

Allthathistoryrepeatingitself

Anargument,spurofthemoment,longtimecoming.

Andinapublicplace

Yadayadayada

Andthenafeather floatsdownfromthesky, landsbetweenus

Youlaugh Ilaugh

ForallIknow, thefeatherlaughs

Thoughmaybenotthebirdthatdroppedit.

-JohnGrey

LoveInTheDaysOfPandemic

Wedon’tlivebytheedgeofourhospitalbeds, antibiotics,orbythelifesavingdrugsthattreatcancer Weliveasonewhosurvivethetoughestbattle ofday-to-dayexistencelikeKalaharibushmen Welovelifeaspatientslovenewvaccines,frozen withinthelab,allsettostimulateourantibodies; andthankstoourlove,theimmunityincreasedmanifold andwillrespondstronglyinourcells

Idon’tknowhoworwhenthispandemicwillend

StillIlovethislifewithdoublemasking, protectedbysocialdistancing;becauseIwon'tquarantine

Foreverinsidethefourwallsofourhome, soclosethatyourviralloadismine; soclosethatyoureachbreathriseandfallwithmycough

-MukutBorpujari

PerilsOfLipReading

ForIggyPop

Myeardrums

leakblood

Iwannabeyourdog

reverberates loudenoughfor spinalcolumn

toalmostleadme

todance

asIwalk

mimingitswords

throughnear emptypark

Aprettytoo younggirl toknowthesong readsmylips andruns real fast

PoetryisBreath Poetryisbreath, notasailboatsunk decadesagomid-ocean, farfromanydesirefordiscovery letaloneretrieval

Poetryiseverything, notthethingnevertalkedabout, avoidedintonon-existence becauseitisuncomfortable andfartoostrange

PoetryislikeGod, onlynotGod,buttiedtoGod likeapuppettothepuppeteer’sstrings dependantonGodforanyandall animation

Poetryiscoming, burningdowntheaisle toitslastingconsummation

Denyitanditwillby-passyou, anditsgift,itsmagnificence (likeafirstlovethatfeels thatfirstloveunending) youwillneverexperience.

Poetryisnotsong Insomeways(thunder-lightningbeat) moreprimal Insomeways(blood-curdlingwordconnections) less

Poetryisnotlikebirth ismorelikedeathonlymentionedwhennecessary, butalwaysinevitably necessary.

Poetryisbreath Ifyouloveit,youwillknowit likealover,satisfying,surprising, strenuouslydemanding Ifyoupretenditisnotforyou, thenitisnot, andyouwillgothroughyourdays withoutit,missingthatmeal, thatnext-layerrareconnection thathasnosubstituteorimportantequal.

-RPVerlaine

-AllisonGrayhurst

ReadmoreworksofW.J.MANARES

GetyourpersonalcopiesoftheseAnthologiesviaAmazon

YearoftheRabbitAnthology

CoochBeharAnthologyVolume5

AnthologyofPoets,ShortStoriesandJourney

SaveWater(anthology)

LovePoemsVolume2

CoochBeharAnthologyVolume7

TitanicAnthology

SelectedPoets

Editedby SouravSarkar

(AbangansamgasusunodnaIssue)

SagotsaNakaraan:Alien

sit-SIRIT-sit:BagongBugtong

RavedHues: BookReviews(WJManares)

Andhiseditor,SydnieBeauprédidaveryamazingjobhere

Buyyourselfacopynow:

https://wwwamazoncom/dp/B0B3GNQQFT

THELIFEOFAVAMPIRE

by BinodDawadi & SydnieBeaupré(ed)

WritinghislifestoryinavampiricPOVmadethewholepiece veryuniqueandreader-friendlyReaditinonesettingandyou willthankmelaterwhenyoudosoBinodDawadi'sexistence willchallengeyoutobecomemoreawareofyourselfandothers

TheLifeofaVampirewillenlightenyouabouthumanityand humanbeings,theirweaknesses,theirstrengthsandtheirwill Youwilllearnmanythingsinthisnarrative,suchas reincarnation,nature,love,prayer,survival,struggle,behavior, adventure,underworld,family,andlifeitself

TheAuthor,BinodDawadi,sharedalifethatisworthliving

KAAKUHANPOEMSOFIDENTITYTHROUGHALIENATIONANDLONGING

by JoseAnthonyGerardVMuyco & AlbertGDPalmares

GastronomicallyTested!

Whattafullyloaded,ready-to-eattreatfromJagMuycoand AlbertGDPalmareswasacompletemealtothelongingand achingstomacheofsocietyThiscollectionofanti-mass starvationpoemsmademefullandfueledThisisanintensive tummycrunchforadigestivereaderThepiecesthatthesetwo poetsutteredinitspagesarefoodforthehungryindeedREAD, SATISFACTIONGUARANTEED!

BuyyourselfacopybycontactingtheauthorsviaSocMed

(featuringMarinethPedrona.k.a.Mawi)

Writhings:TheWriteThings

1.Whatiswriting?

-everyonehastheirowndefinitionofwhatwritingisSomewouldsayitissomesortofactivitythatwouldhelpthem escapefromlotsofworries,somesayit'sjustahobby.Asforme,writingisaworldwherethewritersexpresstheirhidden feelings,opinions,thethingstheywanttobepossiblebutclearlyimpossibleinarealworldandthethingsthatkeepon playingontheirmindsthattheywanttosharetoothers.Itisabigthingthatcandefinewhatanartis,why?Becauseit doesexistevenifitdoesn't.

2.Whatareyourpreferredgenresandwhy?

--asareader,Iwouldlovetohavesomeromance,mystery,thrillerandhistorical.Romancetohavesomegoodsweetvibes, mysteryandthrillertogetmymindworkingonwhatwillhappennextandofcoursesomehistoricalforsomeknowledge onwhathashappenedbeforewewereabletofaceourworldnow.Andasawriter,Ipreferwritingmystery-thrillersand sweet-romancenovelsMystery-thrillerbecameoneofmypreferredgenressincetheessenceofthisgenrepushedthewriter togothroughtheirdeepestartisticpointtomaketheirworkinterestingIalsowritesweet-romancesinceromanceisa naturalthingforeveryone,Iguess

3Youasawriter

-Asawriter,IcansaythatIstillhavealottolearn.Yes,Ihavedonetonsofresearchalreadyandlearnedfromthosebut still,thelearningsthatIgotwillneverbeenoughtobeabletobecalledasa'goodwriter'Iamtooawarethatresearch willneverbeeverythinginwriting'cozwhatweneedisnotjustknowledgeaccumulatedfromothers'writtenworks,but alsoneedourstorytobewritteninitsmostartisticwaywithoutbeinglikehowotherswritetheirworksandwithoutbeing likewhattheirworksareSo,Iguess,itmaytakealongtime,along,longtimebeforeIcansaythatIamgoodatwriting

4Yourfavoriteauthorandbook,andwhy?

-Istillcan'tannounceanyfavoritebooktitleinparticularsinceIamlovingdifferentgenresbutwiththeauthor,Icansay thatArthurConanDoylestandsoutformeHistalentandcreativityseemstobesodeepthathecanmoldeachofhis characterstotheirmostflawlessstateHecanalsocreatethewholestorywithmuchcomplicationwiththescenes,lines andcharacterswhichdeceivesthereaderswithoutputtinganydramaandsolveseverycomplicationthathecreatesina realisticandwisepossibletwistThosecharacteristicsofhisartmademelikehimandthinkofhimasageniusinthe fictionworld

5Whatdoyouwishorseeinyourfutureasanauthor?

-Justlikewhateverywriterwants,Iwouldlikemybookstobepublished,bedisplayedinbookstoresandreachahuge numberofreaders.Andofcourse,Iwanteachofmybookstobeappreciatedandloved.ItwillbesuchareliefformeifI seethatanynumberofreaderslovemywork.Iamalsolookingforwardtoseeingmyworkbeingwatchedontelevisions ormovietheatresMightsoundlikedreamingofafancyworldbutitispossible,andifithappens,I'llsurelycelebrateit likesomepeoplecelebratealife

6Somefrustrationsinwritingandhowtoovercomethem

-OneofmymostunforgettableandfrustratingmomentsinwritingwaswhenIfirstsentmyfirstmanuscripttomybeloved traditionalpublishingcompanyIthoughtthatmystorywasgoodenoughbutthen,itwasrejectedbythecompanyfor somevalidandclearreasonIthurtbackthenbutIwasabletoriseagainandwriteagainasIfocusedonwhattheeditors saidthatneededtobeimprovedIkeptonwritingbuttraditionalcompaniesseemtohavestoppedacceptingmanuscripts fromno-namewritersandthatwaswhenIdecidedtostopputtingmytimeonwritingButwriterscan'treallystopwriting, soIcamebackassoonasIsawanopportunity

7Ifyou'vealreadywrittenabookortwo,giveasummaryofthebestoneIfyou'restillplanningtowriteabookor two,whatwillbethetitleandwhy?

-Ialreadyhadmyfirstromancenovelpublishedandamystery/thrillernovelthatwaspublishedonthewebThe mystery/thrillerwastitled'HisBloodyEyes'undermypennameBiancaLeeandIamgoingtochangeitto'TheBloodeyed'underthesamenamebutonanothersiteThestoryisabouttheunsolvedcrimeandmiseriesfromthepastthatwas unintentionallyrelivebyagroupofteenagersandnowbotheringthelivesoftheirchildrenassoonastheymetthisman withstrangecharacteristicwithmuchinformationaboutthethingthattheirparentsdidandthethingsthathashappened centuriesago

8Howtosurvivethewriter'sblock?

-Ibelievethatwriter'sblockdoesnotreallyhaveitsexistence,it'sjustsomethingthatwritersthinkwhenevertheylose theirfocusorwhenevertheyarenotabletothinkofsomethingdifferentfromwhattheyhadwrittenfromthepastAndI thinktheonlywaytofightorendtheso-calledwriter'sblockistorestandtostopthinking

Inthatway,one'smindwillbeabletoresetandfreshenitscapabilitytothinkofsomethingsthathaven'tbeenwrittenyet Freshenmindscanalsomakewriterswritenewplotsthatarewayfarfromthestoriesthattheyhadcreatedattheirbest

MawiconsiderstheworldofwritingasachallengeShe's improvinghercraftalwaysthroughthebasicsAtfirst,there'sa doubtifshe'sabletowritebutshepersistedAndnowshe's gotsomeworktodointheliterarysceneShesapublished authorinUkiyotoPublishingandotheronlineplatformsShe wantstosharesomemoretothereadersSheistheauthorofthe Ukiyotobook"ISecretlyLoveYou"andoneoftheauthorsin theone-of-a-kindAnthology,"Magkalaguyoatibapanguring pagsinta"fromthesamePublisher

Szybki:QuikiesofChristopherT.Dabrowski

"GalacticUnion"

GalacticUnion?Yes!ButyourSchengenzonespaceequivalentwon'twork Dowehavesomethingtohide?

Er,youEarthlingsarealwayssosuspiciousbutOK,wegetitYouhadahistoryofdivisions,wars,manybeliefsystems,languages Yourspiecies'developmentpathwasquitebumpy

Butyoumustunderstandthatyouareanexception-wehadanidealdevelopmentfullofharmonyandlove

Whytheselimitations,then?

It'ssimple-wewon'tletyouintoN'gshaakbecausetheyliveinaradioactiveenvironmentYouwoulddieinstantly

AndonShyeeel

What?Ehm,anyway,youunderstand?Well,that'sgreat

"TheHoroscopeTroubles"

-Dad'saScorpio,andI'maPiscesAndlookatthis!That'sourbirthhoroscopescompiledbasedonthetimeandplaceofbirthThey analyzedtheplanets'alignmentatthetimeandhowitaffectedus

-Howcoolisthat-Amyclappedherhands

-That'saScorpiodrawing,andherearePisces

-WerethereanyonEarth?

-Yes

-AndwhatzodiacsigndoIhave?

Motherscratchedherheadnervously

-Youknow,darling,youwereborninintergalacticspace,justafterleavingsuper-light,andtherewerenoplanetsorstarsintheimmediate vicinity

-Whatdoyoumeanmummy?

"TheLastBastionofCreativity"

PoorthosewhoneverdreamOrthosewithinsomnia

AIdoeseverythingforusEvenmusic,books,andfilmsarecreatedbyalgorithmsWehavenothingtodo

Wereproduce,andtopreventoverpopulation,manyofusaresenttoterraformedplanets

Therestgetwater,food,andenergyrationsandcandowhatevertheywantaslongastheyfolloworders

Ifyouwanttoearnmoneyforholidaysorotherluxuries,youcanselldreamvizionsonyourchannel-broadcastsofourdreams

They'resoabsurdandunpredictablethatAIcannotimitatethem-that'swhytheyaresopopular

BooksinGermany:"DieAnomalie"(2020-DerRomankiosk)

BooksinCanada:"ThePrisonerOfInfinity"(2022-UkiyotoPublishing), "AndOnEarthwithoutChanges"(2022-UkiyotoPublishing),"TheWorries OfANotSoDeadMan"(2022-UkiyotoPublishing)

ChristopherTDabrowski

https://krzysztoftdabrowskwixsitecom/krzysztoftdabrowski

https://wwwinstagramcom/krzysztoftdabrowski/

https://wwwfacebookcom/Krzysztof-T-Dąbrowski-166581686751600/

Moreabouttheauthor:

BooksinUSA:"Escape"(2019-RoyalHawaiianPress)"Anomaly"(2020RoyalHawaiianPress)

BooksinSpain:"Lafuga"(2019-RoyalHawaiianPress),"Anomalia"(2019 -RoyalHawaiianPress)

BooksinPoland:"Deathbirth"(2008-Armorykapublishinghouse),"Anima vilis"(2010-Initiumpublishinghouse),"Grobbing"(2012-NovaeRes publishinghouse),"Deathbirthandotherstories"(2012&2017-Agharta& Armorykapublishinghouse),"ZżyciaDrAbble"(2013-Aghartapublishing house),"Anomalia"(2016-Formapublishinghouse),"Ucieczka"(2017DomHorrorupublishinghouse)"Niewinność"(2019-Waspospublishing house)&"Nieznośnaniewyraźnośćbytu"(2022-SagaEgmont),"Obyś żyłwciekawychczasach"(2023-ŚwWojciecha)

AudiobooksinPoland:"Naśmierciny"(2008-Armoryka),"Niewinność" (2019-Waspos/SagaEgmont),"Grobbing"(2022-EmpikGo),"Anima vilis"(2022-EmpikGo)&"Ucieczka"(2022-EmpikGo)

Anthologyin:USA,England,Australia,Poland,Canada,Portugal,Tunisia, Russia,Brasil,Bosnia&Herzegovina,Germany,India&Bangladesh

Andhepublishedhisstoriesinthefollowingmagazines:Slovakia PLAYBOY(Slovakedition),USA,England,Canada,India,CzechRepublic, Russia,Brasil,Spain,Argentina,Germany,Italy,Hungary,Sweden,Mexico, Albania,Nigeria,Botswana,Zimbabwe,Tanzania,Uganda,Kenya,Costa Rica,Peru,Vietnam,Turkey,Ukraine,Romania,Slovenia,SouthKorea, Austria&CentralAfricanRepublic

GrabaCopyofSHORTSTORYANTHOLOGY today!

Authors:

Lachrymose-eyes

GreyMaidenWarrior

•14thDOMINO

SJBluess

KwiinMartha

AteBaeBae

Angel04reyes

LeivExile

Itwasonlyonebook, Buthadalotofdifferent storiesinsidethatwillget youhooked, Byitlessons,andwonderful plots, ThatIamsureyouwilllove alot, Tears, Heartbreaks, Mistakes, Aswell,lessonsthatthey havelearnedinashort timeofwait, Horror, Tragedy, LGBTQ, Teenissues, Andromance, Alotofgenres,

ThatI'msurewill driveyouinarollercoaster ofemotions, Overall,thisisacollaboration book, Ananthologyofshortstories, Thateveryotherwritermade justtoentertain,andmakeyou happy, Abookthatwaswrittenbylove, andalotofhardwork, Bythewonderful,andfortunate writers.

GreyMaidenWarrior

Forinterestedindividuals,contact: MaryViSerquillos/KwiinMartha

Gmail:leivexilewp@gmail.com

Botheration:BlastsfromMichael Brockley

DogWalkwithSadieamongtheUnheardSongsthePandemic SmuggledintotheSilenceIMistookforReverie I

IslipintothecompanyoftheghostofmylatewhiteGerman shepherdEmergingontoHighway20withitsburningstretch limousinesandarockbottomrhapsodyrunningdownthelast dreaminAmerica’sBabylonSadieasksmyopinionof Vergangenheitsbewältigung,anation’sstrugglewithitsshame She’sfamiliarwithmyleftoverfeelingsMyten-centtourof gaslightermotelscompletewithfurnacelullabiesandvintage suspicionsIsay,IwishIwasthemoonButSadiecravesa souvenirfromthegrandtour.RecognizesalltoowellmyoneeyedjackfacadeI’vepackedmysuitcasewithmedicineshow bluesWhenweheadintothestorm,allIhavetooffermymost constantfriendarebrokenheartsanddirtywindowsThis tornadolovesyou,shesaysWe’realreadydownwherethe spiritmeetsthebone

II

IwishIunderstoodmorethantheMorsecodeofbrakelightsI wishforamillionhistoriesoverwhelmedbyamillion atonementsSadiestretchesbeneathamiddlecycloneofwild creaturesOurtravelingmerciesalertfortirewheelsonagravel roadIt’sdarkenoughtoseethestarsasIdistractherwith dancesongsforhardtimesButshewantstohearthereis redemptioninthisunravelinglandThataBuddhamightbloom amongthewildflowersandbramblerosesWe’reunderthe dreamlandlightsatthethresholdtotheCornBeltCafeFora moment,SadiescentsthetracksofsignsandsignifiersButI’m astrangetouristonthefirstdayofmypawnshopyearIcan’t lookatmydearestfriendwhenIpromiseher,Foreverhasn’t happenedyet

CreditsforCento:DogWalkwithSadieamongtheUnheard SongsthePandemicSmuggledintotheSilenceIMistookfor Reverie

TheGhostsofHighway20,LucindaWilliams

StretchLimousineonFire,CatieCurtis

RockBotttomRhapsody,PokeyLaFarge

RunningDownaDream,LucindaWilliams

AmericanBabylon,JoeGrusheckyandtheHouserockers

LeftoverFeelings,JohnHiattandtheJerryDouglasBand

Ten-CentTour,,TheEmptyPockets

Gaslighter,TheChicks

GharkeyStreetMotel,MikeMartinandtheBeautifulMess

FurnaceRoomLullabyes,NekoCase

Vintage:TheVeryBestofMobyGrape,MobyGrape

LoudGuitars,BigSuspicions,ShannonCurfman

“IWishIWastheMoon,”NekoCase

ASouveniroftheGrandTour,LeonardCohen

StrictlyaOne-EyedJack,JohnMellencamp

SuitcaseFullofBlues,VariousArtists

TheMedicineShow,MelissaEtheridge

WalkintoaStorm,TheLoneBellow

BrokenHeartsandDirtyWindows:SongsofJohnPrine, VariousArtists

ThisTornadoLovesYou,NekoCase

DownWheretheSpiritMeetstheBone,LucindaWilliams

TheMillionThingsThatNeverHappened,BillyBragg

Historian,LucyDacus

InTheMorseCodeofBrakeLights,TheNewPornographers

TheMiddleCyclone,NekoCase

WildCreatures,NekoCase

TravelingMercies,EmilyScott

TireWheelsonaGravelRoad,LucindaWilliams

DarkEnoughtoSeetheStars,MaryGauthier

DanceSongsforHardTimes,TheReverendPeyton’sBigDamn Band

NoMercyinThisLand,BenHarperandCharlieMusselwhite

TheUnraveling,TheDrive-ByTruckers

BuddhaandtheBlues,AndersOsborne

WildflowersandAlltheRest,TomPetty

BrambleRose,TiftMerritt

Dreamland,JoniMitchell

CornBeltCafe,LongHaulPaul

StrangeTourist,GarethLiddiard

ThePawnShopYears,BuickMacKane

ForeverHasn’tHappenedYet,JohnDoe

TheRiverinReverse

YouwatchMonster’sBallwhilechoosinganameforyourlove dollwithoutrealizingyou’reonyourwaydownEversinceyou startedwearingpandemicfacemasksprintedwithJessicaRabbit, nooneatStarbuckswillsitnearyouYou’reagrownmanwho stilllistenstoBettyBoopsongsandcollectstearsTearsand moretearsYou’reascoundrelwithareputationforbeingthe wienerdogballoonthatgetsprickedbythehayride’ssharpest thornNoonefromyourfamilyexpectsyoutohelpyourbrother climbfurtherupthecorporateladderNowthatyou’refloating onariverrunninginreverseaftersaddlingafreedomstallion withoutagetawayplaninwhatever’sleftofyourbrokenpromiselandYearsagoyoubelievedinAscensionDayand confessedyoursinstoDominicanpriestsNowyoufallfor telephonescamsthatclaimHalleBerryisbeingheldhostagein Brusselsandiscountingonyoutowirehercaptorsan “internationalecho”Butyoumusthavemisheardtheransom messageYou’restilldelinquentonyourtrashbills,havelost yourfifthpairofziptiecuffs,andcan’tdecideonaneharmony aliasforthisyearAllofthesesadsackthingsYousettleback withSiobhanandclicktheRentbuttononAmazontostream WonderWomanWhatdoyouknowaboutOscarsandRazzies?

YouwanttosaveHalleBerry,butyou’reasix-fingeredman playingaseven-stringguitarwhiletakingwhatyoulostfrom whatyou’veneverwon

TracklistCreditsforCentoTheRiverinReverse,recordedby ElvisCostelloandAllenToussaint

“OnYourWayDown,”4:53

“NearertoYou,”3:30

“Tears,Tears,andMoreTears,”3:26

“TheSharpestThorn,”4:16

“Who’sGonnaHelpBrotherGetFurther,”5:04

“TheRiverinReverse,”4:30

“FreedomfortheStallion,”2:55

“BrokenPromiseLand,”4:33

“AscensionDay,”2:58

“InternationalEcho,”4:58

“AllTheseThings,”4:55

“WonderWoman,”3:08

“Six-FingeredMan,”4:32

Power

IfeltpowerlesswhenIheardthefatherofmygrand-niece’s daughterdictatewhomshecouldtalkwithonheriPhoneand whatshecouldtalkaboutThesamejerkwhorefusedtoweara facemaskduringredCOVIDalertsIfeltpowerlesswhenthe candidatesonelectoralballotsspewedthesamefailedpolices mycountryhaspursuedforoverfortyyearsTaxcutsforthe rich,foreverwars,thoughtsandprayersIfeltpowerlesswhenI readofhowbillionairescanaffordtoridetheirpenis-shaped rocketsintospaceIfeltpowerlessuntilIreadfartoomany namesofmenandwomenslainbybulletsandchokeholds.By thetumultofridinghandcuffedandunsecuredinthebackseat ofapolicecarcareeningthroughacity’smajorthoroughfares Drivenbythemoment’smostcelebratedcowboyUntilI rememberedVictoriaLeighSotoReverendClementaPinckney AndElijahMcClainWhoselastwordswere,IloveyouTryto forgivemeI’msorryAndHere’smyIDIcan’tbreathe

TwoVanillaIceCreamCones

afterDerbyDay,Epsom(fromADayOff)(1967)byTonyRayJones,London,UnitedKingdom,atTheBritishCouncil Collection

MyrtleandIsplurgedonicecreamconesafterVirgilinvitedus todawdlebyhiscardtableatthedancechampionshipinthe OddFellows’parkinglot.Vanilla,ofcourse.Scoopedrightinto twowaferconesbyOscarGoodeunderaredfezMyrtlesits sidewaysandhalfwayoutthedoorinthefrontseatbehindthe wheelShe’sneatandlikestotakehertimeonagoodconeI’d ratherletthedollopsmeltsomyhandsgetsticky,withthefeel ofsummeronmyskinwhileIchatterAllthetimeVirgil’s checkingonhiswife,Dot,who’scatwalkingintothejitterbug finalswiththatno-countgentwhopumpsgasatthedinosaur stationMyrtlewon’tevenpeekatthehijinks,thedo-si-dosand pirouettes,andheresheandDotusedtoleadthebirdhikes downtothesanctuaryButyoucanhearVirgilhuffingand golldarningunderhisbreathashepeersintohisGreenStamp binocularsAnd,youknow,hecan’tdancealickLookstome likeDot’sjustdiscoveredshe’sdouble-jointedandshouldn’t Virgilbetickledshe’sgoingtotakehomehalfayear’sworthof SpamAndthatdinosaurfellowhimselfisgoingtoeatfancyfor sixmonths,tooFromwhereI’msittinginthecatbirdseat, Myrtle’slickedherconeplumbdowntothewaferAndhereyes havegoneallDanDuryea,dangerous,likeinTooLateforTears NobodywantstoseethatIexpectI’dbestgetontheoutsideof this‘nillaconeandseeifmypumpkinheartplansformeto walkhomeasjustdessertsforDot’swinningthewholehoofer shebang.

MichaelBrockleylivesinMuncie,IndianaHispoemshave appearedinTheWhiskeyMuleDiner,LionandLilac,and EkphrasticReviewPoemsareforthcominginVagabondDissent, DownintheDirt,andWordpeace.