A Feel of the In-Between: An Interview With Juice Aleem

Toward the end of 2018, The Opiate’s Editor-at-Large, Malik Crumpler, had a conversation with Birmingham rapper-turned-space travel writer Juice Aleem about his book, Afrofutures and Astro Black travel: A passport to melanated futures. They discussed Aleem’s atypical upbringing, as well as his artistic process for writing, researching, rapping and live sketching. Furthermore, the two examine the ancient and contemporary traditions of diasporic lineages involved in Afrofuturism/Afro Flux. … Continue reading A Feel of the In-Between: An Interview With Juice Aleem

Genna RivieccioJanuary 30, 2019January 30, 20193 Comments

Poetry

Story Catcher by Wim Coleman

The thrall of Scheherazade is a hoop shaped of bitterest willow stretched taut with sheep-gut webbing that buoys a dozen or so ripe dangling gemstones graced with dancing peacock feathers. She doesn’t play the thrall like a lyre, although there are those who would tell you otherwise. No, her sleep alone serves as bait and enticement, and she picks through the night’s catch of stories … Continue reading Story Catcher by Wim Coleman

Genna RivieccioJanuary 28, 2019Leave a comment

Criticism

You Adds Further Flames to the Fire of Book Lovers Being Freaks

It is precisely because you’ve probably living under a rock for most of December and January that you’ve heard about and likely seen You, the Penn Badgley-starring series resuscitated from the grave of Lifetime by Netflix. Centered around a bookstore manager’s unhealthy obsession with a requisite basico named Guinevere Beck, (a blonde who reads?! What’s not to splooge and get obsessive over?), our anti-hero, Joe … Continue reading You Adds Further Flames to the Fire of Book Lovers Being Freaks

Genna RivieccioJanuary 27, 2019January 27, 20191 Comment

Poetry

frank by Khalil Anthony

1. i talk to myself sometimes and sometimes i answer myself too i got it from my mother who likes to do this (talk to herself) when i am sitting right next to her, mind you while we are literally in a conversation speaking to each other. she’ll blurt out something that doesn’t quite make sense, (“green tomatoes”), and i’ll say what? and she’ll be … Continue reading frank by Khalil Anthony

Genna RivieccioJanuary 22, 20192 Comments

Poetry

Medusozoa by Jessica Fischoff

And so, in the desperate measure Of undoing, the Lord transformed me Into a jellyfish and skipped me Across the continent, into the darkest Trenches of the sea. I cleaned my fluorescent regalia Of the sandy cover, like Medusa Letting down her hair, I unfurled my tentacles To sting the salty brine, And claimed my kingdom. Continue reading Medusozoa by Jessica Fischoff

Genna RivieccioJanuary 17, 20191 Comment

Poetry

Savage by Jessica Fischoff

This labyrinth is a serpent untangling its belly, and I’m wandering the mess of stomach, a lost and undigested bone that won’t pass to the new life. The thread unravels toward the heart, and I shed my skin in sacrifice, cut the memory of stars, of earth, of humble beginnings, raising glasses, waking in my own bed, hands still soft. I’ve lost my way before, … Continue reading Savage by Jessica Fischoff

Genna RivieccioJanuary 16, 20191 Comment

Satire

Thank You; No Thank You by Max Talley

Dear Writer, Thank you for entrusting Hooligan Review with your work. Few trust us with anything. We enjoyed this piece thoroughly, but after careful consideration we could not fit it into our current issue. We tried, with smaller fonts, slender margins and even a shoehorn. Damn thing would not squeeze in. Our editors read your story several times, as we often do with work we … Continue reading Thank You; No Thank You by Max Talley

Genna RivieccioJanuary 9, 2019January 9, 2019Leave a comment

Poetry

Stars Encased in Obsidian by Susan Richardson

Tourists amble off buses, clad in the nervous chatter of intrusion, searching for superheroes. They suffocate the sidewalks of Hollywood, trampling over handprints embedded in slabs of concrete that will outlast glitter and celluloid. Boys wrap drum beats into the skin of paint buckets, rhythms that hunt for a quickening pulse, beckoning a bat winged man on roller blades. He glides through the spotlight, leather … Continue reading Stars Encased in Obsidian by Susan Richardson

Genna RivieccioJanuary 8, 20197 Comments

Poetry

Chronic Fatigue by Mitchell Grabois

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has struck the star of a local ballet troupe and a retiree who’s been waiting ten years to take up the sitar and the daughter of a famous sci-fi writer and a pharmacist at the nearby Walgreen’s which sits at the cobbled corner of Happy and Healthy There are too many others to mention who have been likewise affected who (barely) live … Continue reading Chronic Fatigue by Mitchell Grabois

Genna RivieccioJanuary 4, 2019January 5, 20191 Comment