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Assaracus Issue 03: A Journal of Gay Poetry
Magazine. Poetry. LGBT Studies. ASSARACUS is a quarterly journal of gay poetry, features a substantial collection of work by ten gay poets. ISSUE 03 features poetry by Antler, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhrán, Bryan Borland, Steven Cordova, Carl Miller Daniels, Jeremy Halinen, Terry Jaensch, Scott Wiggerman, Chuck Willman, and Nicholas YB Wong, plus ten poets on James Franco (Shane Allison, Bradley Bentz, Perry Brass, Philip Clark, Alex Dimitrov, Jory Mickelson, Stephen Scott Mills, Ed Rose, Sam Sanders, and Luke Shearfrond) and an introduction by Frank J Miles. Cover Art by Cody Henslee featuring Spencer Smith. Our biggest issue yet!
142 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
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June 17, 2011
And for the latest ASSARACUS Issue 3, Political Topics
In describing the striking photographic image that adorns Issue 3 of the Journal ASSARACUS, artist Cody Henslee states that 'Spencer' (the name of the artwork) is a part of a series that 'deals with identity and one's loss of identity due to eternal presumptions about character.' Study it, it deserves attention, then open this journal and enjoy the works of poets Steven Cordova, Terry Jaensch, Nicholas YB Wong, Scott Wiggerman, Carl Miller Daniels, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhrán, Chuck Willman, Jeremy Halinen, Antler, a great section called 'Poems Inspired by James Franco', and finally a series of poems by the journal's editor Bryan Borland.
One aspect that may be taking hold in these pages of poetry is the political stance. It comes naturally here, and perhaps this issue pays more attention due to the occurrence of Pride Month. But as a fine example is Borland's poem that follows;
AN OUTSIDER'S GUIDE TO GAY MARRIAGE
Monday he wakes me after he showers
with a hand on my stomach. He smells
like soap and coffee. Tuesday he cuts
the grass. I meet him at the door with water,
towel the sweat from his forehead.
On Wednesday we sit on the sofa,
my feet in his lap. We watch too many
hours of reality television, then go
to bed early. On Thursday, I show him
again the easiest way to chop an onion.
We fold laundry and play with our cats.
On Friday, we meet after work
for dinner. It is date night; we talk
about the week and plan our grocery list.
Saturday morning we sleep late. I indulge
myself in his warmth, feel protected
in his orbit. Then it is Sunday,
more chores around the house,
our schedules built to end the day
with Desperate Housewives and a plate
full of food, the same as every
other house on the block.
Here, as in all of Borland's poetry, understatement is the key and in that stance he drives home deeper meanings and messages than a thousand media reports of the politics of same sex unions. But that is the way ASSARACUS reads each quarter - slowly, with pungency, and with community understanding and sharing and pride.
Grady Harp
In describing the striking photographic image that adorns Issue 3 of the Journal ASSARACUS, artist Cody Henslee states that 'Spencer' (the name of the artwork) is a part of a series that 'deals with identity and one's loss of identity due to eternal presumptions about character.' Study it, it deserves attention, then open this journal and enjoy the works of poets Steven Cordova, Terry Jaensch, Nicholas YB Wong, Scott Wiggerman, Carl Miller Daniels, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhrán, Chuck Willman, Jeremy Halinen, Antler, a great section called 'Poems Inspired by James Franco', and finally a series of poems by the journal's editor Bryan Borland.
One aspect that may be taking hold in these pages of poetry is the political stance. It comes naturally here, and perhaps this issue pays more attention due to the occurrence of Pride Month. But as a fine example is Borland's poem that follows;
AN OUTSIDER'S GUIDE TO GAY MARRIAGE
Monday he wakes me after he showers
with a hand on my stomach. He smells
like soap and coffee. Tuesday he cuts
the grass. I meet him at the door with water,
towel the sweat from his forehead.
On Wednesday we sit on the sofa,
my feet in his lap. We watch too many
hours of reality television, then go
to bed early. On Thursday, I show him
again the easiest way to chop an onion.
We fold laundry and play with our cats.
On Friday, we meet after work
for dinner. It is date night; we talk
about the week and plan our grocery list.
Saturday morning we sleep late. I indulge
myself in his warmth, feel protected
in his orbit. Then it is Sunday,
more chores around the house,
our schedules built to end the day
with Desperate Housewives and a plate
full of food, the same as every
other house on the block.
Here, as in all of Borland's poetry, understatement is the key and in that stance he drives home deeper meanings and messages than a thousand media reports of the politics of same sex unions. But that is the way ASSARACUS reads each quarter - slowly, with pungency, and with community understanding and sharing and pride.
Grady Harp
Displaying 1 of 1 review