Review of the Poetry in the October/November 2012 Issue of Asimov's Science Fiction

The following poems were published in the October/November 2012 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction:  Three Sumerian Mummies by Peter Simons, Ghosts by Geoffrey A. Landis, The Season by Ken Poyner, and Variations on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (or Something Like That) by Lola Haskins.  I will review each poem one by one.

Since this is, I believe, the first time I have reviewed poetry in Songs of Eretz, and perhaps even the first time I have reviewed poetry in my life, a few words by way of introduction are in order.  I fancy myself to be a poet of some modest talent.  Over the years, I have written several poems that were successful in that they were variously:  recognized by a contest or other authority as being good, used for a eulogy by the family members of the deceased, cherished as a tribute by a group or club considered most unlikely to appreciate poetry, and successfully used to woo women who otherwise would have been out of my league.

I strongly believe in what has been called "poetic license" and thus tend to be very easy on poets and poetry--so a bad poetry review from me will be rare and therefore should be considered, no kidding, to be a bad review indeed.  For a list of the poetry that I have submitted for publication, please see my blog entry so entitled for the current month.

Mr. Simons' six-line poem is clever double entendre.  A quick read for a quick smile.

Mr. Landis' six-line, twenty-three-word poem evokes the cosmic forces of nature and makes a clever analogy between them and the supernatural.  A lot of poem, a lot of message in just twenty-three words!

Mr. Poyner's fifty-three-line poem evokes images of an entertaining B horror film and asks a thought provoking question at the end.  I love poems that end with a question, forcing me to think about what the poet's message might be.

Ms. Haskins' twenty-one-line poem is a delightful play on words, humorous as well as thought provoking.  The structure of this poem could be used to create an entertaining parlor game.

So, overall, I'd say Asimov's is four for four in the poetry department this time.