By John Pelech A poem on Euclid's first four definitions The frontispiece of Sir Henry Billingsley's first English version of Euclid's Elements, 1570 i am following corpses in deepest rotmost precise of parts the point here playdots arrange and form a first orderthose skinny bones are length unornamentedfrom a deathly thinness a most narrownessfat-less sides constrict the erosive … Continue reading Euclid, Definitions I-IV

By Christian Mack "Orpheus Charming the Animals" by Peregrino da Cesena, 1490-1510 I.The heart sings a song of black diamonds— Beauty, nature-crafted, ephemeral, barely lingering— Onyx rose, glinting obsidian thorns; and Orpheus twirling among the petals, twirling in crimson, twirling in shade, rapturous vertigo, Grace-- how has she come to be so sharp? And how … Continue reading Three Poems from a Chicago Winter

By Mike Laganella "Untitled (Black and Gray)" by Mark Rothko, 1969-70. (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc., 1986) The night outsideVast and voidCannot break into this room.The lightThat shinesAnd shows my face to you Keeps him at bay.And though the reflections play Upon the glassAnd show the one the … Continue reading The Night Awaiting

By TD "The Arrival" by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson, c. 1913 From side to side || behind us he is weaving Soaring on high || but his wings barely moving Back down on earth || on our small tub ungraceful Cold sprays smash us || each gust gifting a face-full Over the rail || and … Continue reading The Albatross

By Christian Mack "Hoarfrost" by Théodore Rousseau, 1845 The sky’s gone quiet— the angels are dead.Elysian fields a mass grave, ethereal.No longer do I hearheaven’s chiming.Glittering choir,Fill this silent night,for no barebeating heartcan fill the silence— a murmur in the expanse— My god, My godSuch silence…

By Adrian Frey "General George Washington Resigning His Commission" by John Trumbull, 1824 The old general had marched his last march; Is any general bitter of the glory They receive? A sabre dropping on a table The brother of all our inward looking death There is no such thing as glory, it is Interred with … Continue reading Washington Resigning his Commission

By Adrian Frey "Aqueduct in Ruins" by Hubert Robert, 1750 A tiger fang deadly woman's shadow affixed in the doorway Dropping shield, sword and helm Mixing memory and desire, Mending sacrifice. Out that way is a garden Storing a naked statue of Pallas with a veil of weeping trees A blanket of ash covers the … Continue reading A Portrait for Kate Ludington

By Mike Laganella An Ekphrasis of Botticelli’s Return of Judith to Bethulia "Return of Judith to Bethulia" by Sandro Botticelli, 1470 Look in her eyes Her head demurely hung, As if to say, When it’s time, I’ll look in yours.I see her pale, dead faceTurn the other wayFrom her sauntering gait.Maybe in the corner of … Continue reading Juditha Triumphans

By Julia Post Where does the American go to die? On which hill top does his spirit lie? When his legs will not carry him but one more night? Does he wander down to Ocean Grove? Or seek out a quiet Western cove?Will he rest alone upon the heath but one more night? Does he … Continue reading T. Roosevelt

By Shane Devine "The Flammarion engraving," unknown artist The devil wrote the Bible To lead mankind astray; Meant to worship nature, He now adores decay. Praise the cosmos as it is, And you shall be set free – Wish it were some other way And you'll desire of that tree That shatters blissful gardens green … Continue reading Song of a Gnostic Epikoros