Speculative Poetry: Past, Present, and Future Richard H. Fay Occasionally shoved into a dark, stuffy corner of the literary attic by its critics, speculative poetry actually possesses a heritage and current potential at least as rich and exciting as that claimed by its mainstream…
Griffin in the Spring by Melissa Maillet Rarely is a sight more pleasing than a griffin in the spring. when Wind is blowing and Grass is Growing wild Flowers blossoming. He’s not been across the land since the first snow fall. He starts crawling…
Beyond the Mad/Funhouse David C. Kopaska-Merkel Kendall Evans She is underlit There atop the cathedral madhouse As if by the floor lights of a stage Illumination ascending, spotlighting mercilessly Casting crowraven shadows of features and form All in the…
Recursion David C. Kopaska-Merkel Kendall EvansWhere’s this starship been Resembling a pretzel Infinite figure 8 Maybe a moebius Nor-easterlies, or their 4D equivalent From another universe Might be responsible Or some minor deity’s Momentary inattention Its unscarred surface Belies the great age That seems…
The Station Master Nearly Always Runs the Trains on Time David C. Kopaska-Merkel Kendall EvansIn the morning’s roaring rain The driving outrageous migraine pain I disobeyed the Station Master’s instructions Despite his threats of Post-mortem punishments And repercussions yet more direI never told how…
Corrected Maps of your City David C. Kopaska-Merkel Kendall EvansEvery convenience store has them: So shiny and bright, Each street name legible, They fold and refold perfectly (Your first clue they are alien technology) Behind your building, no-name alley, You know, the one with…
Robot/Worker David C. Kopaska-MerkelLimestone opens eroding eyes / kudzu drags a gray shack Into a verdant mound / while skulls peep back at stony eyes Groaning into a world of glades, And ghosts, and raddled condominia_ Eyes rotate, focus, scan for human survivors Skulls…
Robo-Cat® David C. Kopaska-MerkelNo messy hairballs with Robo-Cat® Pet is pre-programmed and pre-trained, but be forewarned: Though great to have around the house, Robo-Cat® Is extremely playful; be sure to secure your computer mouses This is one high-maintenance mechanical pet Picking mouse gears from…
In Answer to your Relic Query David C. Kopaska-Merkel Kendall EvansHis day in court proved a kangaroo trial They found his sin to be most vile For sipping his gin from the Holy Grail They sentenced his ass to an orbital jail Somewhere far…
Elegy for Iain Banks Vince Gotera First published in Star*Line 39.3 For Iain M. Banks (1954-2013) Scottish science fiction writer known for fanciful spaceship names. The Irish corvette Macha – a small warship – was dispatched to France to bring William Butler…
Within The Asteroid Belt Lyn McConchie first published in The FractalThere ghosts among the asteroids, The nameless dead of many races, creeds and laws, Miners, whose bodies float in deep black space, and colonists, where some forgot, the environment is hostile, and died of…
Pharaoh’s Eye John C. MannoneSacrilege. Intrusion into Egyptian chambers, looting the relics: rubies, emeralds, gold scepters, the king’s sarcophagus. No one’s watching but the scarabs that scurry down the stone maze of passageways now choking with sand falling as rain. Darkness closes in, muffles…
You Always Said You Could Swim Like a FishJohn C. MannoneYou, in that black cocktail dress,red heels stiletto-ing floor. Legs,sinuous in the ballroom. We embrace, my hands on the arch of your back.Outside, salt water sings. Beckons.Caribbean air mists its magic over us.Let us…
Entreaty of the AncientJennifer Ruth JacksonDescribe it, scribeHow the mountains tasteThe sound the moon makesAs it sees its faceStark, in ocean mirrorsGive me the scent of griefSo I can press it to me,A dead flower preservedTo still resemble lifeReturn memories slickWith new ink of…
I Am He As You Are They And We Are All TogetherDavid C. Kopaska-MerkelKendall EvansIn the beginning the word was, I’m told,We all wanted to be a part of something biggerWe sacrificed mobility but gained collective strength,Our numbers covering a great deal of territoryIn…
The Third Planetor, Something Had to be DoneDavid C. Kopaska-MerkelKendall EvansThe blues of seas, the aquamarinesWhite whorls of cloudThe sun-struck tans and brownsOf continents with tailsAnd trailing islandsAs if the Coriolis force affects them too–The third planet: thin-skinned, touchy,Not a particularly good neighbor,Prone to…
SuperheroVince Gotera for KathyTiger Woman loped through green jungle. Hum of insects, bird song, monkey chatter paused as she drew near and passed, though she was quiet as a breeze, a wisp of smoke. That memory filled Tiger…
Dragon-in-TrainingVince Gotera —terza rimaRawrr. Oh, that isn’t nearly loud enough. Ahem . . .RAWRRRR. Ahem ahem. That’s rough on the throat.My windpipe is sore from practicing breathing flame.Listen, I’m a dragon, yes, but jeez, I’m only thirteen.A teenage dragon, I guess you’d say. I’m…
Dragon’s TeethDavid C. Kopaska-Merkel and Kendall EvansOur teeth fell out like seedsThe new children of MedeaCanines:Extinct species resurrecting,White-feathered dinosaurs,Albino Dire Wolves and Deadly ManticoresProwling the arctic’s equatorial islandsIncisors:Our own ancestors,Giant rats,Camels like giraffesBicuspids:Rhinos 11 feet high at the shoulderSabred cats and sharksA chitinous group-mindMolars:Groves…
Book Plates available through Richard H. Fay’s Azure Lion Productions Zazzle Store
Anieth features online fantasy graphic novels for YA and up. A.R. Stone has also created cards and prints highlighting European mythology. This site is a must for lovers of ancient Europe, Wiccan, Celtic and Viking lore.
Metastable Systems – speculative poetry from David Kopaska-Merkel. Available in all standard E-book formats