l u c e m
may is a stand-still.
long-awaited, but unresolved. the wheel of fate crushes us all, but strength revives us.
you are standing still, even as the cars rush past your window in the streets. you are
again and again and again reminded of the sun on your skin, opening windows in a
desperate attempt to tempt the breeze, to bring nature indoors. it is naught for nothing, you
among all else are still here, still breathing in the racing air, still watchfully observing the turn of
the Earth. May Day still comes, the rains still fall, the Earth turns.
h a p p e n i n g s
the poet is putting together an experimental zine of works from quarantine. to contribute,
please email high-res photo submissions to mrobinson7272@gmail.com, along with a brief bio and description of the piece.
pen names are welcome, as are submissions from all skill levels. seeking specifically art photography and collage art
as well as art that incorporates poetry. participants will receive free PDF downloads of the final
product as well as a reduced price on print copies through Lulu.
EARTH IS FULL; GO BACK HOME debuts on May 18th, 2020. keep an eye out
for the debut!
wednesday spoken word livestreams and saturday queer author livestreams will continue
as usual at 8pm EST on www.instagram.com/corvus.et.liber for the time being.
f r o m t h e p o e t ' s d e s k
THE WORLD BEYOND YOUR HEAD
is an unspeakable horror enticing
rage war to the cathedral of palms,
absorbing our souls’ capacities
to make ourselves available for
interruptions of grace.
a dappled light finds wonder,
resists apathy, reminds us that
the ancient beauty that adorns the
NIGHT is beautiful, and
about how the world really
shapes
hope.
- m. r.
recommendations
l i t e r a t u r e
station eleven by emily st. john mandela
a science fiction novel about a pandemic, but one that involves a post-apocalyptic Shakespearean troop
and a myriad of character portraits painted across extreme circumstances. a very nuanced sort
of book done very well, but not for everyone. speculative fiction based heavily in tone and atmosphere.
medusa’s daughters edited by theodora goss
an anthology of Gothic revival literature by turn-of-the-century female writers. victorianist goss
compiles a compendium of poetry and short stories that embody in equal parts magic
and monstrosity, like the infamous Medusa herself. bonus, it’s published by lanternfish press,
an indie Philadelphia of the rare and strange and a personal favourite of mine. you can
order this directly from their site: linkin.bio/lfpbooks
yellow by anne sexton
everyone will be home playing with
their wings...
we’ll go on
won’t we?
a beautiful poem that both encompasses sexton’s power and voice, the best
pandemic poem if i ever saw one, from September of 1972.
eurydice speaks by eavan boland
I would know you anywhere
the myth of eurydice has been on my mind lately. the last line of this poem
haunts long after it ends, posing a world far beyond the confines
of the artfully crafted stanzas.
the lottery and other stories by shirley jackson
jackson is a model for the modern short story, from the horror she is best known for, to
her character driven compositions. this collection is both easily digestible
and intimately complex, a perfect example of how writing can create a world in
a very few words.
i see the world by jamaica kincaid
it begins in this way: it’s as if we are dead and somehow have been given
the unheard-of opportunity to see the life we lived, the way we lived it.
a nonfiction piece for the paris review that emulates a wonderful example of
the stream-of-consciousness writing in examining life via memories.
m u s i c
west coast by MISSIO
swimming pool summer by capital cities
happy together by gerard way (ft. ray toro)
i will never die by delta rae
because the night by patti smith
p h o t o g r a p h e r s & a r t i s t s
nina tadic
instagram | facebook | venmo | website
creator of the beautiful artwork for EARTH IS FULL; GO BACK HOME and an incredible
graphic artist and photographer aside with an appreciative distinct style and
wonderfully diverse portfolio.
alexandria eddington
instagram | society6 | twitter | cashapp
a music, landscape, and portrait photographer with a brilliant command of color
and a unique style that stands out against the grain. experienced as a tour photographer
and a musician besides.
fin
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you can follow my own poetic endeavors at mrobinsonwrites.com
- m. r.