Review of A Sonnet from the Archives of Love's Failures, Volumes 1-3.5 Million by Anne Boyer

A Sonnet from the Archives of Love's Failures, Volumes 1-3.5 Million by Anne Boyer was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 31, 2013.  Ms. Boyer is a fellow Kansan, hailing originally from Topeka.  In her 15-line, free-verse "sonnet," she uses a metaphor to describe love lost that reminded me of Stephen Covey's circles of influence and concern.

Review of "As If All Questions Have Answers" by David Barber

"As If All Questions Have Answers" by David Barber appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 31, 2013.  "A SETI-like outpost in Antarctica has a 'wow' moment."

Those who do not understand my story summary sentence will probably not enjoy this story much.  I found "As If..." to be a good short tale if a bit frustrating and lacking in forward momentum.  5 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of in the meadow magenta by Cynthia Hogue

In the meadow magenta by Cynthia Hogue was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 30, 2013.  The poet sings of the constancy of Nature--I think.  The poet's choice of a free-verse, rambling style without the use of any capital letters (except once) and punctuation made following the flow of Ms. Hogue's beautiful words difficult for me.

Review of "White as Snow, Red as Blood" by Melissa Mead

"White as Snow, Red as Blood" by Melissa Mead appeared as the next installment of every-other-Wednesday fairy tales in Daily Science Fiction on January 30, 2013.  Ms. Mead's previous such tales have been reviewed in Songs of Eretz.  "Snow White is "awakened" from her glass coffin by a vampire prince."  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Survey: Phototropes by Eleni Sikélianòs

Survey: Phototropes by Eleni Sikélianòs was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 29, 2013.    This long free-verse poem begins with images of nature and then moves to a theme of how the elements of nature and those that make up humans cycle through each other.  The poem ends with an interesting metaphor of the world as a tree followed by an elaborate metaphor of words as living things.

Review of "Love's Footsteps" by Cat Rambo

"Love's Footsteps" by Cat Rambo appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 29, 2013.  "A wizard who keeps his heart locked away (literally) goes on an odyssey with his faithful servant is search of a stimulus that will evoke an emotional response within him."

"Love's Footsteps" is a mini epic adventure that held my interest from beginning to end.  I appreciated the allusions to Greek mythology, and the ending, which is pure poetry, took me completely by surprise.  Brava!  7 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of My Daughter All Yourn by Farid Matuk

My Daughter All Yourn by Farid Matuk was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 28, 2013. It is a rather rambling, stream-of-consciousness poem.

Review of "Experience" by Ephiny Gale

"Experience" by Ephiny Gale appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 28, 2013.  "A theater manager, approaching retirement, interviews a new recruit.  Part of the interview process involves the manager giving the recruit a pill containing the memories of the manager's experience with the theater."

Ms. Gale moves her tale along and creates suspense.  There is a nice twist at the end.  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Acrostic by Lewis Carroll

Acrostic by Lewis Carroll (b. January 27, 1832) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on the anniversary of his birth, January 27, 2013.  The poem is an acrostic of rhyming couplets on "LORINA, ALICE, and EDITH.  Mr. Carroll is one of my favorite poets, so it was nice to read this one.  Coincidentally, last night (early this morning, if truth be told) I composed a rhyming acrostic for my wife on her name.

Two New Poems: chirping chickadees, and morning birds

It has been bitter cold in Kansas for the past several days, so I was delighted to feel the bright warm sun on my face as I stepped outside with my Airedale terrier.  What was originally going to be a brief in and out for the dog turned into a pleasant half hour walk through my neighborhood and a nearby park.  As I walked, I saw and heard numerous songbirds, no doubt also enjoying the unseasonable weather.  Two bird-themed, mainstream, 5-7-5 haiku, chirping chickadees and morning birds, quite easily came to me.  I think I will wait until I have written several more and then try to market them as a set or chapbook.

Review of The Call of the Open by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The Call of the Open by Percy Bysshe Shelley (b. 1792), a major force of the Romantic movement, was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 26, 2013.  Here, the master sings of the oneness of the wonders of nature.

Review of "Mashup" by Floris M. Kleijne

"Mashup" by Floris M. Kleijne appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 25, 2013.  "Against his anachronistic best friend's warning that he'll be bombarded by ads, David purchases the equivalent of a hyped up iPhone with an AI that makes suggestions to the user based upon knowledge about the user gleaned from the ambient web--and it appears his friend may have been right when the AI suggests a purchase that the user would never even dream of making."

Whew!  That sure is a rambling summary sentence that I just wrote there, but this excellent story by Mr. Kleijne has a lot going on.  Techno-nerd stuff, philosophy, a possible kidnapping mystery, and, above all, romance!  I read tons of spec lit, so I (unfortunately) saw where this story was headed early on, but I would not say that the plot was predictable.  I daresay most readers will be in for a pleasant surprise by the end of this clever tale.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Self Portrait as Mae West One-Liner by Paisley Rekdal

Self Portrait as Mae West One-Liner by Paisley Rekdal was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 25, 2013.  Paisley Rekdal was no doubt teased mercilessly over her name.  I almost did not get past it from laughing but I'm sure glad I did.  Maybe she channeled all her youthful angst into her poetry.  Whatever the explanation for her gift, I sure am glad she is sharing it.  Self Portrait is an intricate rant of rhymes within rhymes, consonance, alliteration, and maybe masturbation.  Try reading it out loud as fast as possible and in only one breath.  Brava!

Review of Love Poem by Graham Foust

Love Poem by Graham Foust was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 24, 2013.  It reads like a pick-up line from a deranged psychopath.  I did not see the last line coming.

Review of "Three Kisses: The Mirror of Reason" by Henry Szabranski

"Three Kisses: The Mirror of Reason" by Henry Szabranski appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 24, 2013.  Two other stories by the same author, the result of the same writing exercise prompt, recently appeared in DSF and were reviewed in Songs of Eretz:  "Three Kisses: Defenders of the Crystal Casket" on January 22, 2013, and "Three Kisses:  A Royal Breakfast" on January 23, 2013.

"Defenders" and "Breakfast," while beautifully written and executed, were re-tellings of old household tales.  In "Mirror," Mr. Szabranski finally directs his considerable talent to the task of writing an original fairy tale--it is not about what one might think from the title.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Dr. Gordon Will Be the Featured Poet in the November 2013 Issue of Scifaikuest

My set of ten Martian haiku was selected to be the featured poetry (and I was selected to be the featured poet) in the forthcoming November 2013 issue of Scifaikuest, a print and e-zine dedicated to preserving and promoting short form Japanese poetry.  With luck, up to fifteen other poems of mine may also be featured.

Review of Winter, Ithaca by Brynn Saito

Winter, Ithaca by Brynn Saito appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Another poem by the same poet, Avignon, Early Summer, appeared in the same issue and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 23, 2013.  Extremes of temperature and of emotion flood this moving poem about, presumably, a deeply personal experience on the part of the poet.

Review of Avignon, Early Summer by Brynn Saito

Avignon, Early Summer by Brynn Saito appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  The poem starts in Nagasaki, presumably just after the atom bomb destroyed the city, where a woman contemplates her death by fire, then moves to the now peaceful city of Avignon where another woman enjoys her honeymoon.  The juxtaposition was moving, eerie.

Review of Contra Artem by Greg Miller

Contra Artem by Greg Miller appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Two other poems by the same poet, In the Dora Maar House and My Cousin's Son, appeared in the same issue and were reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 23, 2013.  This imperfectly rhyming poem, perhaps ironically, sings of the importance of letting one's art sing.  It reminds us that the arts matter.

Review of My Cousin's Son by Greg Miller

My Cousin's Son by Greg Miller appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Another poem by the same poet, In the Dora Maar House, appeared in the same issue and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 23, 2013.  My Cousin's Son, or at least most of it, reads like a eulogy dedicated to the untimely death of a man about whom the poet must have cared deeply.  As with Dora Maar, Mr. Miller once again demonstrates his mastery of describing a setting.  A sometimes wistful, sometimes sombre tone permeates the piece.

Review of In the Dora Maar House by Greg Miller

In the Dora Maar House by Greg Miller appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Dora Maar was a French poet and photographer known for her love of Pablo Picasso.  Mr. Miller certainly knows how to describe a room and make it come alive.

Review of The Hive by Rachel Hadas

The Hive by Rachel Hadas appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Another of Mrs. Hadas' poems, The Red Chair, also appeared in the same issue and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 23, 2013.  The Hive uses, not surprisingly, images related to bees and beehives to describe the loneliness and sense of loss of someone who wants to be with but is ignored by someone else.  A rhyming couplet brings the poem to a powerful conclusion.

Review of The Red Chair by Rachel Hadas

The Red Chair by Rachel Hadas appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  There is something haunting, just at the edge of understanding, in this poem, especially when taken in the context of the poet's husband who died or is sick with (the bio was not clear) dementia.  The poem is full of symbols, some clear in meaning, others less so.  Mrs. Hadas creates a magical, if sombre, mood.

Review of Film Noir by Dana Gioia

Film Noir by Dana Gioia appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Mr. Gioia offers a rhyming poem with an interesting story about a femme fatale and her mark.  For the most part, it is well done, though even for a cliche poem about a cliche story there were a few too many cliches for my personal taste.  Also, he rhymed "mistakes" with "stakes" which, in my opinion, was a "mistake."  The plot of this story-poem moves along and comes to a tight, if predictable, conclusion--but in this case the predictability is part of the fun.

Review of Strife by Cally Conan-Davies

Strife by Cally Conan-Davies appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Ms. Conan-Davies' is a song a chaos and freedom, of Whitman's great yawp, of throwing caution to the wind and seizing life.  Moving.  Loved it.

Review of Aftertaste by William Baer

Aftertaste by William Baer appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Another of Mr. Baer's poems, Tracking Shots, also appeared in the same issue and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 23, 2013.

I can certainly see why VQR published two poems by this poet in its most recent issue.  What a voice has Mr. Baer!  Aftertaste sings of love long lost and how such a loss diminishes all the lingering pleasures of life.  The last three lines of the poem rhyme, driving the message home like picking the petals off a flower and crying, "she loves me not, she loves me not, she loves me not."  Wow!

Review of Tracking Shots by William Baer

Tracking Shots by William Baer appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Virginia Quarterly Review.  According to the poet, being married to and in love with a beautiful woman is like living in a great Hollywood movie.  There are close ups, and "two shots," but most especially tracking shots, "forever watching to see her move."  Speaking as a man lucky enough to be married to such a lovely lady and living such a life with her, I can say first hand that Mr. Baer really understands.

Review of The Rain of the Ice by Eric Baus

The Rain of the Ice by Eric Baus was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 23, 2013.  It is a song about the frightening loneliness and hopelessness of pain.  It deeply moved me.

Review of "Three Kisses: A Royal Breakfast" by Henry Szabranski

"Three Kisses: A Royal Breakfast" by Henry Szabranski, the sequel to "Three Kisses:  Defenders of the Crystal Casket" (which appeared in Daily Science Fiction and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz January 22, 2013), was offered by Daily Science Fiction on January 23, 2013.  "A prince hacks through a barrier of thorns and enters the cursed castle of Sleeping Beauty in order to do the usual thing."

I must say that Mr. Szabranski writes beautifully, and grammatically correctly with the exception of one glaring misuse of "her" instead of "she."  He knows how to move a story along and how to make his characters come alive.  As with "Defenders," he knows how to write a good swashbuckling scene too--no easy task to do well.

I only wish Mr. Szabranski would offer something original.  His re-telling of Snow White in "Defenders" and Sleeping Beauty in "Royal Breakfast," while beautifully told, are, in the end, re-tellings.  The "surprise," tacked-on endings in both tales are just not enough to make his stories compelling.  2 out of 7 rocket-dragons, I'm afraid.

On Less Than Kind Reviews

I enjoy reading a good story or poem and then writing something nice about it, pointing out its good qualities, then, if possible, contacting the author or poet and letting him or her know.  The review process is less pleasant and more difficult for me when the story or poem disappoints.

I try to find something nice to say when I feel that a story or poem is sub-par, but rocket-dragons will always be telling, and sometimes it is difficult to find anything nice to say when the story lacks luster or the poem is muddled and confusing.  I even find myself getting angry, resentful, almost insulted when this happens--I can't help but wonder how an awful story or poem could get published when mine cannot.  I try not to allow this pettiness effect my reviews, but I'm only human--it probably does to some extent.  The vast, vast majority of my work has remained unpublished despite aggressive marketing.

I have received many less than kind critiques on my work from various sources.  I try to have a thick skin and to learn from them, but it still hurts.  I have, I know, written a fair number of less than kind reviews on Songs of Eretz.  But let it not be said that I can dish it out but not take it.

The fact that a story or poem gets published at all in a professional market should mean, almost by definition, that the work is good on some level--after all, a respected panel of editors thought so and paid for the privilege of publishing.  Only about 1 in 200 submissions are accepted for publication, so those that are accepted are, by definition, in the top one half of one percent.

So, after some reflection, I have decided to do my best to find something good in every story and poem that I review--to see what the editors and publishers saw.  If I cannot, it probably says more about my own shortcomings than any on the part of the author or poet or editors.  Hopefully, readers of Songs of Eretz will find a definite change of tone in the less than kind reviews published here.  Nevertheless, rocket-dragons will still be rocket-dragons...

Review of Little White Church by Marilyn Nelson

Little White Church by Marilyn Nelson, a newly elected Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 22, 2013.  Ms. Nelson's poem has obvious rhyme and rhythm issues and a trite, tacked on ending about the Phelps ministry.  I hope that it is not a typical example of the work of a Chancellor.

Review of "Three Kisses: Defenders of the Crystal Casket" by Henry Szabranski

"Three Kisses: Defenders of the Crystal Casket" by Henry Szabranski appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 22, 2013.  "A prince defends snow white against an attack by seven dwarves."

The best part about re-worked fairy tales is getting a new insight, backstory, or twist.  I kept waiting for something original to happen in "Three Kisses," but nothing really materialized.  The story did have a good sword fight scene--something not all writers can pull off.  2 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Specimen Days [The Inauguration] by Walt Whitman

Specimen Days [The Inauguration] by Walt Whitman was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 21, 2013.  January 20 was Inauguration Day for President Obama (the 21st being Martin Luther King, Jr Day and the for show inauguration of the president, the 20th being a Sunday), so this prose-poem by Mr. Whitman is apropos.  The poem is particularly apropos, in fact, as Whitman sings of his president and hero, Abraham Lincoln, without whom there certainly would be no President Obama.

I have a dogeared, marked-up old copy of Leaves of Grass, one of my favorite books of poetry.  A dream of mine is to one day have my own poetry published under the title Steves of Grass.  However, while I am obviously a fan of Whitman, I feel that Specimen Days is not his best work.  It is more editorial than poem.

Review of "Draconic Motivation" by Donald S. Crankshaw

"Draconic Motivation" by Donald S. Crankshaw appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 21, 2013.  "A pompous, pampered actor insists on being told by his director what his motivation should be before acting a scene in which he must run away from an actual live dragon."

This little vignette has humor, philosophy, irony, and a dragon--something for everybody!  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Tender Buttons [Milk] by Gertrude Stein

Tender Buttons [Milk] by Gertrude Stein was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 20, 2013.  

I read it and re-read it
and I don't get it
don't fret it

Review of An Acrostic by Edgar Allan Poe

An Acrostic by Edgar Allan Poe was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 19, 2013.  The acrostic is done on the name "Elizabeth."  The poem has a gentle rhyme scheme and haunting references to Greek mythology.  It ends, of course as it is Poe, on a somber note.

Review of Obscurity and Selfhood by C. D. Wright

Obscurity and Selfhood by  C. D. Wright, a newly elected Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, appeared in Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 18, 2013.  This free-form poem starts out as a kind of exposé on cock-fighting, perhaps with a homosexual undertone, and evolves into a kind of list of various derogatory terms that men might use to describe themselves.  I did not understand the juxtaposition and in general found the poem to be a confusing muddle--my loss, I suppose...

Review of "The mMod" by Ken Liu

"The mMod" by the Nebula Award winning author Ken Liu appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 18, 2013.  "An under-employed, non-techno-savvy, bookish English major quickly becomes addicted to a prototype iPad-like device that his marketing psychologist girlfriend allows him to test drive."  Numerous other stories by Mr. Liu, published in DSF, Lightspeed, and Fantasy & Science Fiction, have been reviewed previously in Songs of Eretz.

Science fiction tends to be the most compelling when the story speculates upon something that might actually come to pass.  Mr. Liu's "mMod" story has already come true in the form of internet addiction.  His concepts of "tactile charisma" and "techno-lust" are both fascinating and frightening.  Another home run for the ubiquitous Mr. Liu.  7 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

New Poem: Mighty Cherokee

Mighty Cherokee is a sad, ironic, mainstream 5-7-5 haiku that was inspired by a picture of the Cherokee Trading Post Rest Area in Oklahoma.

New Poem: Great Red Spot

I had fun creating Great Red Spot, a tribute to the famous Jovian storm.  I arranged the words roughly in the shape of the spot.  Ideally, I would like to publish this one centered on the page in red ink set in 28 point type, Gill Sans Vitra Bold font (a bold, thick font) for an even more impressive word-paint effect, although it may be difficult to find a publisher willing to agree.

Review of After David Hammons by Claudia Rankine

After David Hammons by Claudia Rankine, a newly elected Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 17, 2013.  For those who don't know (I had to look it up), David Hammons is, according to www.moma.org, an American installation artist, most famous for his work in New York City inspired by the civil rights and black power movements.  Ms. Rankine's poem is overtly inspired by the African-American experience, but I had trouble finding direct parallels to Hammons.

Review of "The Exterminator" by Erik B. Scott

"The Exterminator" by Erik B. Scott appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 17, 2013.  "A human is given a job as an exterminator on an earth occupied by aliens."  The editors warn of adult-level violence--take heed.

This tale offers a couple of twists on a not uncommon theme, that of collaboration with an alien occupier.  My own father lived through chillingly similar circumstances in Nazi-occupied Poland in the 1940s.  Perhaps because of that, I found Mr. Scott's tale to be all too predictable, sad to say.  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of the Poetry in James Gunn's Ad Astra Premiere Issue

According to its webpage, James Gunn's Ad Astra (adastra.ku.edu) "combines the best parts of creative magazines and scholarly journals and brings them to the web," and is "a volunteer organization under the auspices of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas...in partnership with the CSSF's educational outreach program, AboutSF [www.aboutsf.com, a joint project of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Science Fiction Research Association]."  After much hoopla and delay, the premiere issue is finally available.  Based on what it pays its contributors, it is a semi-pro market for speculative fiction, and a semi-pro to professional market for speculative poetry.  The publication caught my eye because of its uniqueness, mission, and association with the major university nearest to me.  Go Jayhawks!

What follows is a poem-by-poem review of the poetry in the premiere issue of Ad Astra.  The editors describe the theme as "deeply concerned with communication and information in its myriad forms, from robotic exploration to genetics to prayer."

Silent Spirit by Kenny A. Chaffin is a poignant lament about the fate of the Spirit Martian Rover that went silent, if memory serves, about two to three years ago after several years of service.  The robot is depicted by the poet as an extension of ourselves, of God even, which, of course it is.

String Theory by John Philip Johnson is mind-blowing trip.  What an imagination this poet has!  The poem travels from the present, to the past, to the futures that are and might have been, from the third dimension to the fourth dimension to a moment when there are no dimensions at all.  According to the bio, he has a story forthcoming in Daily Science Fiction--can't wait!

The Great Silence (Sonnet for SETI) by Geoffrey A. Landis laments that our Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence has so far been fruitless.  I was reminded of the much more profound and clever piece, SETI by LeRoy Gorman, a poem of only five words that conveys the same message (reviewed in Songs of Eretz in a review of Dwarf Stars 2012 on November 7, 2012).  Mr. Landis' poem starts strong with a clever use of alliteration and sibilance to evoke the static hiss heard when listening for messages from the stars.  Unfortunately, I felt that the poem went down hill from there, with trite rhymes, metrical problems, and stanza misplacements, particularly the use of a single-lined stanza at the end when a good heroic couplet would have been much more powerful.  And, although the poem does contain the requisite number of lines, it cannot, in my opinion, be properly called a sonnet.

Etilatep by Katharyn Howd Machan transported me to another world in the same way that I recall Tolkien did for me in his Silmarillion only in a much more abstract, alien way.  What better experience than that?

We Found a Kind of Vine by Kevin Rabas sings of how an alien race, just before being exterminated, "saves" itself by implanting its genetic code within a plant.  What a novel way to store information!  I enjoyed the poem and found myself wondering what might have been learned from a race with such an advanced knowledge of biology...

Knowledge Stream by W. C. Roberts describes the way that the galaxy might speak, how information might flow through it.  I thought of pulsars and solar winds as I read.

Genome by Jacqueline Seewald is cleverly arranged with each line centered so that the shape of the poem is evocative of the double helical structure of DNA.  The poem is a kind of song of the genetic engineer or DNA-sequencer.  The reference to Pygmalion's statue at the end was a nice touch.

New Poem: Flowers Will Grow

Flowers Will Grow is a free-verse poem that swells with powerful funereal imagery and emotions.  There is sadness and anger, respect and comfort, and finally acceptance and a note of hope.  I composed it today shortly after I was informed that my uncle died.

Review of Off Lows, Weakness Remains: Meditation #3 by Susan Briante

Off Lows, Weakness Remains:  Meditation #3 by Susan Briante was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 16, 2013.  The poet tries to find the mystical in the mundane, here depicted as arriving in the parking lot of a generic retail store.  I do the same thing.

Review of "Little Red Robin Hood" by Melissa Mead

"Little Red Robin Hood" by Melissa Mead, published in Daily Science Fiction on January 16, 2013, is the next installment of re-worked fairy tales that are scheduled to appear every other Wednesday this year in Daily Science Fiction.  "Little Ms. Hood is off to grandma's house to do what she usually does."  The commentary for Ms. Mead's "Fool's Gold," which appeared in DSF and was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 2, 2013, holds true here, only more so.  2 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of I want to think like a magi from New Organism by Andrea Rexilius

I want to think like a magi from New Organism by Andrea Rexilius was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 15, 2013.  Written in a free-association style of free-verse from an obvious feminist perspective, the poet juxtaposes images of fish and fissures with metaphors for vaginas and broken hymens.  I don't usually go for overtly feminist poetry, but for some reason this one moved me.

Review of "Beyond the Gate" by Terr Light

"Beyond the Gate" by Terr Light appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 15, 2013.  "A retired old man tells his grandson a story about how humans sent all androids into space, and then suddenly has a feeling that the androids have returned."

Mr. Light's tale is worthy of a Twilight Zone episode complete with a twist ending that I never saw coming.  In the author's note, he admits that the story once had a different ending.  I must admit, I am curious about what it was.  The ending as presented is perfect.  7 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of The Teller by David Mason

The Teller by David Mason was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 14, 2013.  It is a free-verse story about an eskimo who winds up going on a big sea adventure.  I did not see much more there.

Review of "What to Expect When You're Expecting an Alien Parasite" by Rebecca Adams Wright

"What to Expect When You're Expecting an Alien Parasite" by Rebecca Adams Wright appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 14, 2013.  "The seven stages of alien parasite gestation are described with macabre humor.  The editors flagged this story with an "adult content" warning, but I did not see the need for it.  Refreshingly original if a bit of a gross-out.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Another Lost Poem: sweet dessert for fools

I came across another "lost" poem of mine, sweet dessert for fools--a mainstream haiku about how the whole is not always equal to the sum of its parts.  May it fly...

New Poetry: Ten Martian Haiku

I am starting to think, and possibly speak, in haiku now as I have become more and more fascinated with this simple yet profound form of poetry.  I had originally sat down to compose poetry ala the Imagist school, having been inspired by H. D.'s The Pool (offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day and reviewed in Songs of Eretz on January 13, 2013).  However, I noticed that my initial effort had seventeen syllables and was about Mars.  Nine more Martian haiku followed.  Ideally, I'd like to market them as a set, but that may be difficult...

New Poem: heavy are the chains

In my continuing experiments with the haiku form, inspired by a haiku chain on absolutewrite.com, I have composed a full-circle chain of 48 speculative haiku.  This is done by taking the last line of the previous haiku and using it for the first line of the next haiku in the chain, and making the last line in the last haiku the first line in the first haiku (full-circle).  All the haiku in the chain are of a speculative nature, whether fantasy, sci-fi, horror, paranormal, or slipstream.  Some have satirical or otherwise humorous elements.  It was interesting to see the piece evolve, fluidly going from topic to topic and genre to genre.

Review of The Pool by H. D.

The Pool by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle, b. 1886) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 13, 2013.  The editors note that "H. D. was a leader of the Imagist movement, and her work was known for its imagery, economy of language, and use of classical mythology."  The Pool certainly is representative of her work, with its haunting imagery, length of only 23 words, and subject matter evocative of mer-folk or nyads.

Review of "A Diary from Deimos" by Michael Alexander

"A Diary from Deimos" by Michael Alexander appeared in the September/October issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  "In a story that parallels the War Between the States, settlers of Mars, depicted as Southern plantation owners, secede from the Earth Federation when the Federation declares that sentient robots, depicted as slaves, will be granted rights equal to humans."  (Another of Mr. Alexander's tales, "The Children's Crusade," was reviewed in Songs of Eretz on July 19, 2012).

I especially love science fiction stories that describe something that might actually happen, and "Diary" is one of these.  It is, of course, a satirical piece, but in every satire there is at least a colonel, ahem, kernel of truth.  We will eventually reach the point where robots created by man to serve man will be just as sentient as man.  Will we keep them as slaves, or will we set them free?

"Diary" is not the first time that this topic has been explored.  In The Measure of Man, one of my favorite episodes of Star Trek TNG, the Enterprise's sentient robot, Data, is put on trial by the Federation of Planets to determine whether he will be treated as a man or as a machine.  Asimov also has addressed this issue in his robot stories, Caves of Steel, et al.

Review of Tea at the Palaz of Hoon by Wallace Stevens

Tea at the Palaz of Hoon by Wallace Stevens was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 12, 2013.  According to Anthony Whiting in The Never Resting Mind (1996), Hoon was a philosopher who believed that every experience was a result of one's ego--that the world revolves around the individual in the mind of the individual.  Mr. Stevens' poem sings of this.

Review of The Multitude by Ellen Hinsey

The Multitude by Ellen Hinsey was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 11, 2013.  It is a poem about the hopelessness of the "have nots" of the world.  The haunting images drive the poet's message home, right to the final, chilling couplet.

We in the West take our good lives for granted and complain about the pettiest of things.  It would not hurt every Westerner to read Ms. Hinsey's beautiful, terrible, and thought-provoking poem.

Review of "Quantum Entanglement" by Rajan Khanna

"Quantum Entanglement" by Rajan Khanna appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 11, 2013.  "An eccentric, 'Newtonian' man and his quantum physicist girlfriend have different ideas when it comes to explaining the phenomenon of love."  The editors warn of adult themes and explicit sexual content.

First of all, I love the title.  It is just perfect for this piece--a two-word poem.  I'll say no more, lest my explanation spoil the tale.

Mr. Khanna writes beautifully, weaving his main character's eccentric use of analog cameras into an elaborate metaphor for the mechanics of the universe--pure poetry.  Each scene is a vivid snapshot (literally).  The characters feel real, as do the emotions evoked by their conflicts.

Mr. Khanna admits in his notes that his story was inspired by his fear of losing the love of his life (at the time), and the question of what is love is woven throughout the tale.  Can quantum physics explain love?  Can Newtonian?  Or will love be forever a magical, inexplicable mystery?  The characters debate, the author narrates, but, ultimately, the reader is left to ponder.  And I'll be pondering this tale and that question for some time to come.  Bravo!  7 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Call Me Ishmael: Chose Like/Dislike" by Paul di Filippo

"Call Me Ishmael:  Chose Like/Dislike" by Paul di Filippo appeared in the "Plumage from Pegasus" column in the September/October 2012 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  Mr. di Filippo has had his work reviewed in Songs of Eretz twice previously:  "What Immortal Hand or Eye Could Frame Thy Dreadful Copyright"(July 14, 2012), and "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing" (August 27, 2012).  "Call Me Ishmael..." is similar in theme and tone to the latter.  Here, Mr. di Filippo spoofs, mocks, and satirizes the job and end product of the collaborative social media writer.

Review of "Give Up" by Richard Butner

"Give Up" by Richard Butner appeared in the September/October 2012 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  "A man attempts to do a realistic virtual climb of a virtual Mount Everest in his backyard."

Mr. Butner either has climbed Mount Everest himself or did his research.  The tale feels real, even though it is a story about a virtual climb (and so is not at all real on at least two levels).  The idea that VR technology could be utilized on such a grand scale is thought-provoking, uplifting, and even breath-taking--all the more so because it is something that just might come to pass in my lifetime.

The ending of the tale is a surprise that I will not spoil here except to say that the author brings his theme of perseverance full circle to apply to the everyday challenges of life.  Far from being preachy, this moral serves to inspire.

Review of "The Sheriff" by Chet Arthur

"The Sheriff" by Chet Arthur appeared in the September/October 2012 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  "A young simpleton with the power to see the future helps the new sheriff in an Old West town rout a gang of outlaws."

I liked this story, but as a western, not as speculative fiction.  The only speculative element is the POV character's ability to predict the future--a weak paranormal element.

Review of Somewhere between Here and Belen by Jay Wright

Somewhere between Here and Belen by Jay Wright was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 10, 2013.  It reads like a prose poem about mythical rivers but ends with a comment about death.  I'm still scratching my head...

Review of "The Wyrd for Water is Water" by Marie Croke

"The Wyrd for Water is Water" by Marie Croke appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 10, 2013.  A little girl, part of a race of persecuted wizards, plots an escape from prison using the only magic word she knows."  This story is not for the faint of heart--there are disturbing references to torture and injustice and a rather gruesome eye loss scene.

The author notes that sometimes our words are all that we have with which to fight.  In the story, words literally are power, are the things for which they stand.  This magic scheme is similar to that found in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series, but Ms. Croke has put her personal stamp on it.  Her gripping story sings of the indomitability of the human spirit even in the face of crushing hopelessness.  The rocket-dragons for this story are 7 out of 7.

Review of Why Items Tend to Shift in Flight by Sandra Meek

Why Items Tend to Shift in Flight by Sandra Meek was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 9, 2013.  In this modern poem, the poet seems to be using eagle hatchlings as an elaborate metaphor for something--I'm just not sure what.

Review of "Casting Call" by Alexandra Grunberg

"Casting Call" by Alexandra Grunberg appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 9, 2013.  "A casting director gets a surprise after rejecting a man trying out for the part of a Martian king."  I liked Ms. Grunberg's use of dialogue, but found the plot to be predictable and a little petulant.  3 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of A = A by Andrew Joron

A = A by Andrew Joron was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 8, 2013.  I enjoyed the witty yet playful use of language in this poem.  There may be a deeper message, but I do not see one...

Review of "The Remnant" by Cassie Beasley

"The Remnant" by Cassie Beasley appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 8, 2013.  "An alien invasion of earth is thwarted, and a rustic human from a small town is enlisted to deal with an alien survivor."

Not since War of the Worlds do I recall an alien invasion story that went this badly for the aliens--so this story is refreshing and even somewhat original in that regard.  The ending of the story is just not quite satisfying enough for me, but the moral dilemma in the story (should the survivor be killed or not) is something that will linger in my mind for a while.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Nunaqtigiit by Joan Kane

Nunaqtigiit by Joan Kane was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 7, 2013.  The author is an Inupiat who lives in Alaska, and her poetry is inspired by her heritage and landscape.  She is apart, yet her poetry speaks of being one with the world and its people.  Even if her entire poem cannot be understood by someone outside her milieu, there is a certain pleasure to be found in just reading her words.

Review of "Downsizing Pluto" by Shane Halbach

"Downsizing Pluto" by Shane Halbach appeared in Daily Science Fiction on January 7, 2013.  "Hades gets a pink slip from Zeus."

The author notes the obvious--that his story was inspired by the recent downgrade by astronomers of Pluto from planet to dwarf planet.  I enjoyed the witty banter between the personified ex-planet Pluto aka Hades and his boss Jupiter aka Zeus.  Entertaining if predictable.  5 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Father Juniper's Journey to the North" by Grania Davis

"Father Juniper's Journey to the North" by Grania Davis appeared in the September/October 2012 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.  "In the late 1700's, in what is now California, a priest wonders if his proselytizing of the native Americans is really in their best interest."

The plight of the native Americans makes for a sad tale, and Ms. Davis' is no exception.  However, she does manage to tell her story without being preachy--no small feat in a story whose POV character is a priest!  There is also a significant amount of humor it the tale--the antics of an old sow and a white monkey being chief among them.  Ms. Davis' use of humor serves to break up the horror a little bit, the way Shakespeare often did in his tragedies.  

The story reads like historical fiction, but the inclusion of the religious experiences of the native Americans brings a strong speculative element into the mix.  At the end of the tale (which I will not spoil here), Ms. Davis draws adroitly on this element to bring her story to a satisfying, if horrifying, conclusion.

Review of Handfuls by Carl Sandburg

Handfuls by Carl Sandburg (b. 1878) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 6, 2013.  It is an alliterative poem that sings of the life of a gambler.  Even a gambler starts out life as an innocent handful, and after a long, hard life of sorrow winds up a handful again--a handful of dust.   I found it somehow poignant and cynical at the same time.

Review of The Balloon of the Mind by W. B. Yeats

The Balloon of the Mind by the 1923 Nobel Prize winner W. B. Yeats (b. 1865) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 5, 2013.  It is an imperfectly rhyming poem of only 22 words arranged in 4 lines.  The poem speaks to how the hands compress the ballooning thoughts of the poet into a poem.  Given the poet in this case, that's a whole lot of compression.

hydrocarbon snow Accepted for Publication

My scifaiku, hydrocarbon snow, was accepted for publication by Scifaikuest.  It is scheduled to appear in the August 2013 print edition.

Review of The Garden Year by Sara Coleridge

The Garden Year by Sara Coleridge (b. 1802) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 4, 2013.   It is a pleasant, simple poem of rhyming couplets, one for each month of the year.  Sara was the daughter of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Review of "Walking Home" by Catherine Krahe

"Walking Home" by Catherine Krahe was posted in Daily Science Fiction on January 4, 2013.  "A beekeeper, scarred by war, is miraculously reunited with his son who was kidnapped during the war, and adopts two foreign boys who befriended and escaped with his son."  The editors warn that this is a disturbing, adult tale.  It is.

Ms. Krahe has written a beautiful story of how war and soldiering changes people.  All must find ways to cope with the psychological trauma.  Some do better than others.  There is also an important theme about children simply being children, no matter what their country of origin.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746 by William Collins

Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746 by William Collins (b. 1721) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 3, 2013.  It is a stirring, rhyming poem in honor of the brave souls who died in defense of freedom.  The many uses of personification enhance the imagery of the poem and make what could have otherwise been a dirge into an uplifting tribute.

Review of "Final Corrections, Pittsburgh Times-Dispatch" by M. Bennardo

"Final Corrections, Pittsburgh Times-Dispatch" by M. Bennardo was posted in Daily Science Fiction on January 3, 2013.  "A newspaper prints corrections to various stories related to an alien invasion."    The author has been reviewed twice before in Songs of Eretz:  "'You're Heads,' She Says. 'You're Tails.'" on November 19, 2012, and "Reversals," on August 14, 2012.

The stories by M. Bennardo reviewed here previously were sub-par, but this most recent offering is refreshing, ironic, sarcastic, clever, and original.  The use of the deadpan, matter-of-fact writing style of a newspaper editor made the descriptions of the events of the invasion all the more chilling but macabrely humorous at the same time.  6 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of The Visionary by Emily Bronte

The Visionary by Emily Bronte (b. 1818) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 2, 2013. It is a dark rhyming poem about a lady who braves the harsh winter elements of an isolated heath in order to keep a tryst with a mysterious man or maybe a monster.  Ms. Bronte was ahead of her time, I think, but I doubt I am the first to say so.  Her poem compares to the best modern speculative poetry that I have read.  Gave me chills...

Review of "Fool's Gold" by Melissa Mead

"Fool's Gold" by Melissa Mead was posted in Daily Science Fiction on January 2, 2013.  The editors announced that it will be the first in a series of fairy tales by the author that will appear every other Wednesday.  "Rumplestiltskin, whose spindle has started spinning only fool's gold for fools, makes a bargain with the queen who hopes to save her son from the wrath of the king."

What makes a re-worked fairy tale interesting is finding out a backstory or what might have happened after the happily ever after.  Unfortunately, Ms. Mead does not explore anything radically different from the old story.  Hopefully, the next installment from Ms. Mead will be better.  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (b. 1850) was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 1, 2013.  It is a cute, rhyming poem of six couplets about how life goes on, and how one year is like any other.  She lived during a pretty exciting epoch, so I am a little surprised by her sentiments as expressed.

Review of "Harmonies of Time" by Caroline M. Yoachim

"Harmonies of Time" by Caroline M. Yoachim was posted in Daily Science Fiction on January 1, 2013.  "A recipient of cochlear implants is chosen by an alien race to be wired to sense the stream of time in order to be able to communicate as they do." 

Short stories by Ms. Yoachim that have appeared previously in DSF and were reviewed in Songs of Eretz include:  "The Safe Road" (reviewed November 22, 2012), "Blue Sand" (reviewed October 8, 2012), and "After the Earthquake" (reviewed July 12, 2012).

"Harmonies of Time" is a beautifully written story.  It reads like a prose poem.  I was transported.  It is a story about possibilities, of how every choice we make sends us along a unique pathway in time.

The POV character reminded me of Griffin, the alien played by Michael Stuhlbarg in Men in Black III who could sense every possible future.  However, in her notes, the author reveals that her story was inspired by a video about a person who receives cochlear implants and hears for the first time.  The idea of acquiring a new sense intrigued her, and "Harmonies of Time" was the result.  7 out of 7 rocket dragons.

Results of December 2012 Self-Imposed Writing Challenge

Goal:  Write a new bit of short fiction (or revise current works as appropriate) every day.
Result:  Complied 15 out of 31 possible days.  Goal not met.

Goal:  Update Songs of Eretz Blog daily.
Result:  Goal met.

Goal:  Review posting by Daily Science Fiction every week day
Result:  Goal met.

Goal:  Complete a poem by poem review of the Oct-Dec issue of Star*Line by 12/31/12
Result:  Goal met.

Goal:  Complete a poem by poem review of the 2012 SFPA Contest winners by 12/31/12
Result:  Goal met.

Goal:  Total number of words, including blog, new work, and revision of old work:  50,000
Result:  Blog Total 10,040 + New Total (16 poems, 2 short stories) 8,110 = 18,150.  Goal not met.

Commentary:  Overall, even though I did not meet my new fiction or word total goals, I wrote quite a bit of new fiction.  Writing every day is now a habit, at least on the non-fiction side.  It took real discipline to meet the goals that I met, particularly the poetry reviews.  Mid month, I even added a goal of reviewing Poets.org's Poem-A-Day every day.  So, hooray for me, I guess.