Speculative Fiction and Poetry
Tikbalang by Vince Gotera
Tikbalang Vince Gotera switched-up Centaur stalks evening, brown baton like stone horse head, hooves silent In Philippine mythology, the tikbalang is a hybrid creature with a horse’s head and hooves on a human body—or humanoid, since he has limbs proportionately longer than a… 
Eclipse by Vince Gotera
Eclipse Vince Gotera dread Bakunawa dragon breaches from ocean swallows bright full moon This haiku is based on Philippine mythology. The bakunawa is a sea dragon that hankered to eat the seven moons that were in our ancient sky. He ate six of…
Venus by Vince Gotera
Venus Vince Gotera brilliant arrow point hunter goddess’s flexed bow the moon’s silver arc
Cthulhu by Vince Gotera
Cthulhu Vince Gotera tender tentacles touch us from eldritch space cold Messiah’s green love
Frankenstein by Vince Gotera
Frankenstein (1931) Vince Gotera Boris Karloff’s hands tremble like soft wings lovebirds in air sweet music
Prince Charming by Vince Gotera
Prince Charming Vince Gotera With quotes from Ann Sexton’s poem “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Well, yeah, that’s what they call me …
Aubade by Vince Gotera
Aubade Vince Gotera —a terza rima haiku sonnet Steve grinned, waking up to see Stephanie’s cute face, freckled, soft pink lips parted slightly, lace lingerie showing pale throat. Spring morning sun’s rays streaming in to…
Looking Back to the Stars by Vince Gotera
Looking Back to the Stars Vince Gotera —hay(na)ku My child’s eyes adored starships, SF, anything space-oriented: Mercury, Gemini, Apollo. 1969: Neil Armstrong’s astounding moon landing. Barsoom novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Superman. Flash Gordon. 2001: Space Odyssey. Comics utopias, dystopias: Magnus, Robot Fighter, Thor’s…
Dear Mr. Frost, or may I call you Jack . . . by Vince Gotera
Dear Mr. Frost, or may I call you Jack . . . Vince Gotera —after a particularly mild winter Where’ve you been hiding these past few months? I only had to fire up the snow blower once. It coughed miserably, neglected and forlorn, before turning over…
Sestina: Dragon by Vince Gotera
Sestina: Dragon Vince Gotera What could be more optimal for a dragon sestina than using the word “dragon” as an end word? All six end words could be “dragon,” in fact. That way there wouldn’t be any drag in having to sort out when…
Menage à Tiger and Dragon by Vince Gotera
Menage à Tiger and Dragon Vince Gotera In Chinese mythology, Dragon and Tiger are opposing forces, portrayed in art as always in epic battle against each other. Tiger and Dragon Pine for Each Other Dragon and Tiger love each other like dawn Sun and harvest…
Elegy for Iain Banks by Vince Gotera
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…
Space Opera by Vince Gotera
Space OperaVince Gotera
Superhero by Vince Gotera
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-Training by Vince Gotera
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…
Two Blue Stockings Review Podcast
