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> December 2008
Poetry
Featured Poet:Peter Tetro
Other New Poetry By:
Ian Bravestone,
Maurice Oliver,
Sergio Ortiz,
Nilanshu Agarwal,
Peycho Kanev,
Joe Miller,
Louie Levy,
Greg Woods,
Ananda Selah Osel,
John Grey,
Olly Bryan,
Shanu Goyal,
A.D. Winans,
Vanessa Kristovich,
Darren Francis,
Elizabeth High,
David McLean,
Matthew Anish,
Sean C. Bowen,
Marie Kazalia,
Garret Schuelke,
Allan Britt,
Michael Estabrook,
New Stories
The Fathers We Find by Charles P. Ries
A month after the fight with my father over the Viet Nam War, my parents took their yearly summer road
trip with Father Weller in his new set of wheels. Despite hating how I dressed, having serious doubts about
my lifestyle and politics, my dad still trusted me with his mink and his beloved mink farm. He didn’t care
that his son was a hippie; he still thought that I might have the knack and disposition to inherit his empire.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had staked his hope on the wrong son.
...Read more
Other New Stories
An Average Woman's Story by Piper Davenport,
Berlin Diary by Joseph Grant,
The Black Mayor by Piper Davenport,
The Winner by Matthew Anish,
Olivia's Thoughts by Jerry Vilhotti,
In The Neighborhood by Adam Moorad,
Walking On Sharp Stones by Jerry Vilhotti,
Rat-Jacket by George Sparling,
Shakespeare On The Roof by G. Charles Schwartz
Poetry Book Reviews
Interview With The Poet Spiel
By Charles Ries
I sometimes wonder if physical suffering, mental illness or being slightly bent in the head
is more prevalent among poets than most of the population. I wonder if one or more of these
characteristics don’t actually foster innovation. I have noticed that some of these souls write
poetry with such abandon, quantity and quality it sometimes makes me wish I was compulsive “in that way”.
Every art form has its wounded, brilliant practitioners. But it seems to me that “creation” springs
more abundantly, and often more beautifully from those who suffer mental, physical and spiritual
hurdles. The poet, Spiel seems to be such a poet. He made the transition from visual art to word
art just eight years ago. It is quite evident that in poetry he has found a medium big enough for
his ideas, his anger and his sorrow.
...Read more
Other New Reviews
"Ordinary Lies" by Robert J. Duffy; Reviewed By: L.B. Sedlacek
"Salud" by Curt Johnson; Reviewed By: Charles P. Ries
Issues
How Shall We Submit: An Examination of Submission Guidelines By Charles P. Ries
I have tried to honor the submission guidelines the editors of both print and electronic magazines
have created for me. I have stumbled only a few times—this mostly due to my being reckless and in a
hurry. To those editors whose guidelines I have stepped on (and you know who you are), I apologize.
As a form of therapy and self-education, I wanted to understand why submission standards are
necessary and who benefits from them. I invited fifty editors of electronic and print magazines to
explain their submission philosophy. Twenty-two were good enough to reply. Of these, sixteen accepted
simultaneous submissions and previously published work, five were strongly opposed to it, and one was
open to both, but not simultaneous publication.
...Read more
Notes From The Edge
God That Can Save Me
I will celebrate this 4th of July with great love for my country and my fellow countrymen. Also
though, we are in a time of great paranoia and personal devestation at what the future may hold.
Despite what many will tell you, our country is strong, but our will and dedication to this great
experiment of democracy is falling. I've said it before that I think we are spoiled as a country,
unable to make any sacrifice for the greater good. This is misguided. The world will not end, this
country will not fall unless we are unable to rise up in it's defence. I ask you all to really sit
and think about what it means to be an American? What are our obligations and what are our benefits.
Would you want to live in anouther country? I wouldn't, this is the greatest place on earth.
...Read more
New Music
Mp3's from Crash Control, Suchoon Mo
Dr. D Speaks
LARRY CRAIG STORMS ZANESVILLE
Ebenezer Zane gave Zanesville, Ohio its name, as well as his descendent Zane Grey,
author of countless Westerns. Grey had some deep understanding of human nature as well.
The author of RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE observed, “People live for the dream in their hearts.
And I have yet to know anyone who has not some secret dream, some hope, however dim, some
storied wall to look at in the dusk, some painted window leading to the soul.”
Zanesville is one of those conservative communities in rural Ohio where the civic organizations
and Republican party line generally rule. It is also in the district where disgraced
Congressman Bob Ney pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Jack Abramoff and went to jail.
...Read more
New Art
New Artwork by Katherine Luke
