Le silence va plus vite à reculons

[sovay]

Rabbit, rabbit. My writing life is giving me whiplash. I spent the last several hours wrestling a poem that was upsetting me into shape, at the end of which time another poem (about which I feel much more cheerful) had come into print. I suppose I could survive if that's the pattern for May.

My poem "Mercury Retrograde Theatre" is now online at Through the Gate. It was written mostly during a pair of rehearsals for the Spring Sci-Fi Spectacular, thinking about Orphée and Cocteau and radio. (I still can't find out whether he heard Welles' 1938 War of the Worlds. Anybody in possession of this information should write that poem instead.) The rest of the issue is ridiculously good. Three of the poets I knew I liked already; the fourth is new to me and I hope for more.

Mat Joiner wrote "Navigations" for me. I love it dearly. I still want "A Wake for Tesla" to win something.

Comments

[moon-custafer.livejournal.com]

I still can't find out whether he heard Welles' 1938 War of the Worlds.

No idea, but I was wondering at the bus stop the other day if Orphée had inspired the gag in Beetlejuice that suicides all have to work as civil servants in the Netherworld. I don't think Cocteau ever actually says so, but Heurtebise does mention that he killed himself. I can't tell if the Princess was ever a living human or if she's some supernatural being like the Sphinx in La Machine Infernale.

[sovay]

if Orphée had inspired the gag in Beetlejuice that suicides all have to work as civil servants in the Netherworld. I don't think Cocteau ever actually says so, but Heurtebise does mention that he killed himself.

Yes. I've never seen Beetlejuice, but I hope it's true. I would enjoy that kind of callback. And it's a better deterrent than the usual fires of hell.

I can't tell if the Princess was ever a living human or if she's some supernatural being like the Sphinx in La Machine Infernale.

I don't think she was ever human. She comes close in the course of the film, but not at the end; otherwise that time-winding trick of mirrors might never work.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

I regret the upsettingness, but I'm glad for the poem going online. I enjoyed it when first I read it and I enjoyed it as much when I read it just now.

The Mat Joiner poem is lovely as well. Thank you for sharing it.

[sovay]

I enjoyed it when first I read it and I enjoyed it as much when I read it just now.

Thank you. It was a good thing to see at two in the morning.

The Mat Joiner poem is lovely as well. Thank you for sharing it.

Tell him! He should write more.

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

AP - thank you!

Sovay - yes, I should.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

AP - thank you!

You're welcome!

I agree with sovay. You should.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Ah, that is an excellent poem, and in excellent company.

[sovay]

Ah, that is an excellent poem, and in excellent company.

Thank you!

I am really fond of this magazine.

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.

I'm very, very pleased you like "Navigations" - it means a lot to me.

[sovay]

I'm very, very pleased you like "Navigations" - it means a lot to me.

It's a wonderful poem.