Between “Color Blind” and “Blinded by Color” by Kasual Tee

The “color blindness” some of my friends of the pale shade proudly vindicate is a mirage. The amygdala (the fear center of the human brain) activates within a fraction of a second when seeing a Black face, even for melanated folk.1 This is to say that the frequently touted trope that “racism is taught”—rather than detected and exploited by the minority in power—is totally false. … Continue reading Between “Color Blind” and “Blinded by Color” by Kasual Tee

Genna RivieccioDecember 29, 2024December 29, 2024Leave a comment

Essay

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” As Inspiration for Big Brother

Perhaps, whether he was aware of it or not, somewhere in the back of George Orwell’s mind, he was definitely borrowing from J. Fred Coots (try not to make the automatic leap to “cooter” with a last name like that) and Haven Gillespie’s lyrics for “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (or, depending on your level of properness, “…Coming to Town”) when he created the … Continue reading “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” As Inspiration for Big Brother

Genna RivieccioDecember 23, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

William of the Country by Charlie Robert

One Cow.One Flunky.Broken Plow.Grease Monkey.Rye Liquor.Sugar Shack.Ass Kicker.Jumping Jack.Crack Head.In Bread.Take GoodCare OfYour Dead.See The SunGoing Down.See The SkySpinning Round.See Your StarsGetting Hacked.All Your ScarsUnpacked.Time To Face The Facts.No One’sGot Your Back.Suitcase.Save Your Place.Do It Now.Play Your Ace.Browning Shotgun.Just In Case.William Of The Country.One Cow.Broken Plow. Continue reading William of the Country by Charlie Robert

Genna RivieccioDecember 22, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

Martial Arts by Zeke Greenwald

No, no, I can imagine! Many days henceThere was an after-school program to learn self-defense.At the corner with the long shop window,Sensei George kept the local dojo. Like Adventists in their storefront worship,See us children behind glass learn to vanquish! Then superlative George at lesson’s endIn grave oration conveyed the disciplineAnd restraint we’d now be most needful ofThat our fists were turned to deadly weapons. The … Continue reading Martial Arts by Zeke Greenwald

Genna RivieccioDecember 21, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

A Lone Figure by Dale Champlin

dances in moonlight under a starless sky I, the figure in question, hesitate—tenuous and fragile, my small bones hardly larger than those of fishes dreaming in a blue lakemy head tipped up into wild plum night. Flocks of mourning doves rise above a mist shrouded balsam forest.What is my role in the natural world? Is this the humanity I envisioned in my youth? Will we ever be free of … Continue reading A Lone Figure by Dale Champlin

Genna RivieccioDecember 18, 20241 Comment

Poetry

Elzebub by Stephen Barile

1. He was a “hard-driving hillbilly,”a rock-a-billy catin a country-western band.He could play any instrument,fiddle, guitar, mandolin,mainly, the electric steel guitar.A demon on the strings;they called him Elzebub,after the philistine god.With dimples, black hairand a silver tooth,teen heartthrob good looks,he wore a white t-shirt,the sleeves and cuffsof his blue jeans, rolled up,over black cowboy boots. He came from a family band,older sisters, Mary, on fiddle,Lollie, … Continue reading Elzebub by Stephen Barile

Genna RivieccioDecember 15, 2024December 23, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

Hollywood Memorabilia Show by Stephen Barile

We went to the Blossom BallroomAt the Roosevelt Hotel in old Hollywood,For the Hollywood Memorabilia Show. Charles, and his associate Dave,Peddling movie star signaturesOn old film contracts,In a room of folding tables,Booths with minor celebrities. Traders buying and sellingCollectibles; autographs, books,Lobby cards, movie posters, photos,With old movie stars attending. At one stall, on folding chairs,Two Hollywood Indian actors.Older versions of themselves, Iron Eyes Cody, the … Continue reading Hollywood Memorabilia Show by Stephen Barile

Genna RivieccioDecember 13, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

At This Moment by Frank Freeman

Robert Antelme coming back fromthe camps, as described by Duras,is shocking and moving. howhe shat green shit that bubbled.could only eat gruel for 3 weeks,had a series of fevers, then finallysaid, I’m hungry. they would put him in a room andlet him eat lamb chop after lamb chopeating alone in the room. he said,no one understands me. get angrywhen the food wasn’t ready on time. … Continue reading At This Moment by Frank Freeman

Genna RivieccioDecember 10, 2024December 29, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

The Horsie Ride Store by Charlie Robert

Shelves.Stuffed With Wonder.Gum Balls.Plunder.ChewsThat PullYour Teeth.Yesterday’sBeef.MagazinesWith Fold-Outs.LeavingNo Doubts.As To WhatThe Shadows Hold.In The CornerYou Can See It.Buried In Rust.Eyes Bulging.Lips In Rictus.Gears Grinding.Benedictus.Metal Hot.Wood Rot.What You Lost.What You Got. Play The Hand.That You’re Dealt.Hold Your CardsBelow The Belt.Tinker Toys.In The Trash.Time To EarnHard Cash.Saddle Up.Get in Line.Two MinutesFor A Dime.This Great Beast.He Knows.He Knows. He Knows But Will Not Tell. Continue reading The Horsie Ride Store by Charlie Robert

Genna RivieccioDecember 8, 2024Leave a comment

Poetry

Beauty Mark or Blemish by Alise Versella

My sister and IShare the same freckle on our right handSound the same on the telephone and sometimesShy away from what we know is better for usPerhaps we think we don’t deserve muchA little damaged by the family that raised usSearching for the parallel lines that would take us to a brighter finish line She was the first to catch a fish on that taut … Continue reading Beauty Mark or Blemish by Alise Versella

Genna RivieccioDecember 5, 20241 Comment