Month: December 2023

Poetry

There has to be a better way to die by Peter Crowley

I. silver cells abound in glistening fieldthe body turns, a whooping crane listens.Fish beneath the shadowed surfacedart in seizure spasmsThe crane’s beak jabs into the water, lacerating gills II. hairless, mouth ajar, dark circles underneath the eyes,stomach in rebellion, T cells on strike. There has to be a better way to die listless, pallor, eyes fluttering, hallucinating,blind, cancer in recession, it doesn’t matter anymore. There … Continue reading There has to be a better way to die by Peter Crowley

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Fiction

Scraping the Bucket by Max Talley

She watched her husband drink his beer in the amphitheater as the loud music washed over them. So joyous in the moment. What a shame. “I am so fucking psyched for this concert.” He leaned forward as if listening intently. “Wow, sounds really different.”  “He’s sounded different for like twenty years.” She studied him. “I mean compared to the records I own.” “Those albums were … Continue reading Scraping the Bucket by Max Talley

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Interview

A Date With Tate: Interviewing Miss Carmichael

The following is an interview conducted between The Opiate Books’ Anton Bonnici and the publishing house’s star author, Tate Carmichael, who released Lindsay Lohan Stole My Life earlier this year. Although it’s not always easy to pin the (ex-)socialite down, she was able to make time in her busy roster of prison activities to speak with Mr. Bonnici, a lowly plebe not worthy of a … Continue reading A Date With Tate: Interviewing Miss Carmichael

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Book Review

I Love Paris: Rufo Quintavalle’s Elucidative Portrait of Urban Life by Audrey Vinkenes

Life is a carnival of extremes. That much Rufo Quintavalle seems to be aware of, as he makes apparent in his latest poetry collection, I Love Paris. Not only regaling us with truthful and haunting visions, but also showing us that existence is rarely black and white. Particularly in Paris. Where it’s more like a rain-soaked panoply of hues muted in gray.  Masterfully tracing the undulating freedoms … Continue reading I Love Paris: Rufo Quintavalle’s Elucidative Portrait of Urban Life by Audrey Vinkenes

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Poetry

The Boom Boom Room by Charlie Robert

There’s A Room In The Back.It’s The One That Prints Jack.The One That’sFront Loaded.The OneSugar Coated.Take The ForkIn The Road.Take Your PainÀ La Mode.Take Your CueFrom Your Gods.Get What’s Due.Play The Odds.There Are Rooms.Boom Boom Rooms.Fancy TombsFull Of Flesh.Fancy Rooms.Fancy Guests.Pray They’re Dark.Pray For Peace.Find Your Self.Seek Release.There Are Rooms.Boom Boom Rooms.Barbed With Lips.Ruby Red.Legs And Hips.Living Dead. Continue reading The Boom Boom Room by Charlie Robert

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Poetry

A Day at the Mall or Gladiators’ Cocktail Hour by Frankie Laufer

These people were mostly men dressed in green corn stalks. Or was it seaweed? I’m not sure. They rode roller coaster conveyor belts higher and higher in search of food and a place to shelter. I’m afraid of heights. They temporarily adopted me and shared what appeared to be a secret code. Written in some unknown language on a piece of burlap. But like a … Continue reading A Day at the Mall or Gladiators’ Cocktail Hour by Frankie Laufer

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Poetry

Extra Aloha Served Daily by Frankie Laufer

 Some things are still sacred.A giant green turtle passed by riding Duke’s longboard.A large wave at North Shore is standing on its hind legs and barking.Even Uncle Kaai won’t canoe here.This water feels right even to those wearing slippers.A shark swims close by but decides not to dine.There is after all happy hour at Moana Surfrider later today.Garlic shrimp at Giovanni’s draws a mostly orderly … Continue reading Extra Aloha Served Daily by Frankie Laufer

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