Review of "The Suit" by Robert Reed

"The Suit" by Robert Reed appeared in Daily Science Fiction on May 31, 2013.  "After suffering a stroke, a popular political pundit's intellect is enhanced considerably by a cybornetic suit."

The fusion of man and machine is a fairly popular topic in science fiction these days.  "The Suit" offers an interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking take on this somewhat tired theme.  5 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Summer in Winter in Summer" by Noah Eli Gordon

Summer in Winter in Summer by Noah Eli Gordon was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on May 31, 2013.  The poet reveals in his notes that he commemorated his wedding day to his wife, Sommer, with this poem.  He borrowed the poetry form from Peter Gizzi--the poem, like the title, is a kind of palindrome.

Review of "Ghosts in the Walls" by Shannon Peavey

"Ghosts in the Walls" by Shannon Peavey appeared in Daily Science Fiction on May 30, 2013.  "A woman is driven insane by the cries of a baby emanating from inside a wall in her apartment."

Earthquakes occur constantly throughout the story without explanation.  The setting is unclear.  It is also unclear if only the MC hears the baby crying or if others hear it too.  The ending wants some explanation as well.  2 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Room in Antwerp" by Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Room in Antwerp by Laure-Anne Bosselaar was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on May 30, 2013.  What happens to the cozy, magical places that we savor but eventually abandon?  The poet explores this question in a nostalgic tribute to such a place in her life.  Somehow, reading this poem made me think of the special attic room in Bear in the Big Blue House.  I would LOVE a room like that...

New Poem: "Chick Magnet"

Chick Magnet was inspired by two disparate things:  the Judgment of Paris myth, and a scene from the movie, Borat.  In Borat, the title character goes to a used car lot to purchase a car and is shown one which the dealer describes as a "chick magnet."  The naive Borat then asks to be shown where, exactly, in the car the chick magnet is located.  From there, I started speculating what if there were such an object that was, literally, a chick magnet?  Then, inexplicably, I began to think how interesting it would have been if Aphrodite had given such an object to Paris.

I took some liberties or poetic license with the myth, adding in Artemis, who was not originally included, because I like Artemis, and leaving out the apple entirely.  The language of the body of the poem is at least somewhat evocative of Homer or Ovid, while the title is evocative of something else entirely, nicely memorializing the dual inspiration for the poem.

Review of "Jumbo Gumdrop Serenade" by E. Catherine Tobler

"Jumbo Gumdrop Serenade" by E. Catherine Tobler appeared in Daily Science Fiction on May 29, 2013.  "Four witches work their magic."

Less of a story, more of an study of Shakespearean witches, there are too many characters introduced too quickly for such a short, plotless piece.  The story literally ends with a fart.  2 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Variation on a Theme" by W. S. Merwin

Variation on a Theme by W. S. Merwin (pictured), United States Poet Laureate 2010 - 2011, was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on May 29, 2013.  The poet seems to be remembering and expressing gratitude for coming up with the perfect words at the perfect moment in the perfect place to woo the perfect woman.  Perfect :)

Review of "The Wheel of Fortune" by Alexander Lumans

"The Wheel of Fortune" by fellow Codex Writers' Group member Alexander Lumans appeared in Daily Science Fiction on May 28, 2013.  "You are a teenaged female fighter pilot in a war against invading aliens."

I am biased against second person POV, especially when I have to read half the story before I learn that I am a girl.  You know what I mean.  The story is otherwise well-written, strangely compelling, and the use of the Tarot card device is original, clever, and interesting.  4 out of 7 rocket-dragons.

Review of "Metamorphosis" by James Richardson

Metamorphosis by James Richardson was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on May 28, 2013.  Not surprisingly, the poet reveals in his notes that his poem is inspired by Ovid and also by the recent death of the poet's mother.

As a side note, the picture of the cover of Mr. Humpries' translation of Ovid's fine work has a little personal story behind it.  I worked as a page (gopher) in a library when I was in my late teens.  One of my jobs was to stamp and throw out books that were, for whatever reason, chosen to be discarded by the library.  I was allowed to "rescue" any book that I wanted, and that is how this particular translation of Ovid found its way to my bookshelf (and my heart).