The Resurrection, by Carl Johnson

Emboddlement of Fhroom, by Romeo Esparrago

Illustration by Romeo Esparrago

What do I want
Escape from this chaotic environment
for the inherent inconvenience, the consequent struggle through which
bores and repels me.

Would that I could upload my mental profile
into some cyberspace medium,
that my biographical self, the consciousness of which,
might be recreated in the process of some future AI entity’s scrolling of past events
and resurrecting what once was, minus that which was unpleasant,
all that induces chaos having been purged.

That my electromagnetic essence, the pattern of which interacting
with a myriad of information-bearing patterns, the substance of which
relates to the bliss of experiencing an environment, so friendly and accommodating,
that in our recreational pursuits, for there be no other, we experience only pleasure,
and where the feeling of everything being just right prevails,
all that might be deemed excessive, having been cancelled out
by that which would be deemed insufficient *

About the author: Carl Johnson was previously published in Planet in 1999: Earthbound Entities.
Email: carljames57@gmail.com
About the artist: Romeo Esparrago exists mainly in cyberspace.
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Giving Thanks, by Katherine Sanger

Surface-of-Obligata

Illustration (c) 2011 Romeo Esparrago

When the ship crash-landed

on the blue and green planet,

we thought,

at first,

that a terrible tragedy

had befallen us,

and we

had failed.

* * *

But

then we learned

that our mission

was

complete.

* * *

Like the youths of Athena

sent to the mighty Minotaur

we were to be the feast

for the aliens’ yearly tribute.

* * *

Here, though,

there is no maze,

and we merely wait

in a caged yard.

* * *

Turkeys,

waiting for Thanksgiving. *

About the Author: Katherine Sanger has had poetry published in Star*Line, Beginnings, and That Thing You Do. She won first place in Byline’s “Autumn Poem” contest and Sol Magazine’s “Lucky Thirteen” contest. She has had fiction published in Baen’s Universe, Black Petals, and others.
Email: ksanger@fromtheasylum.com
Website: http://katsanger.wordpress.com/

About the Artist: Romeo Esparrago draws stuff.
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‘Subterranean Museum’ by Robert William Shmigelsky

Secret Plans of Ronault Ringeworme

Illustration (c) 2010 Romeo Esparrago

Through the surface of cratered moon,

shining dimly out to open space,

celestial devices, collecting dust underground.

Among the first exhibits included:

the sandglass, Cupid’s arrow, the scale,

balancing pans of good and evil.

Floors down, one could stumble upon

the stables of the charioteer, Helios,

the dark wet cellar of Tartarus.

But undoubtedly, tucked in

at the back, the main attraction was

a narrow hall leading to rebirth.

Where walls of dark-blue crystal —

chipped, cracked, smashed, and flaked –

captured the colors and shades of their faces

as Gods, led by foreknowledge of Man,

followed the path of that narrow hall

and traversed into Past until undone,

leaving the world to be run by other devices. *

About the Author: Robert William Shmigelsky is an aspiring fantasy writer taking English courses at Okanagan College to improve his writing. Robert has been writing fantasy for himself in his spare time for the last seven years, but only now has begun writing for others. Besides reading and writing, his hobbies include computers and history. He has a dry sense of humor, for which he blames his stepfather. Also, he has a habit of making history jokes that no one but him understands. He is currently working as a certified residential care aide (nursing assistant) in beautiful British Columbia to support his writing. Email: shmglsky@msn.com Story (c) 2010 Robert William Shmigelsky

About the Artist: Romeo Esparrago is an artist with a sketchy past. Illustration (c) 2010 Romeo Esparrago

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Website: Odyssey Writing Workshop Blog

The Odyssey Writing Workshop has launched a blog for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.  The blog will include insights into the writing process and the publishing industry, interviews with award-winning and bestselling authors, profiles of Odyssey graduates, podcasts, and more.

http://odysseyworkshop.livejournal.com/

More information: www.odysseyworkshop.org.

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'Big Picture' by Lawrence Barker

Illustration (c) Romeo Esparrago
Illustration (c) Romeo Esparrago

Our long hard trip has left us worn but wise

We learn that matters that look large close by

Can fade to naught when one sees from afar

From Earth, the dying sun filled half the sky

Fourteen light years away scarce does its shine

Stand out from that of any pallid star

*

Continue reading
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'ANNAM' by Romeo Esparrago

Annam, by Romeo Esparrago

Illustration (c) Romeo Esparrago

I had returned.

to find Viet Nam.

To find my past.

To find my lover.

To find my Linh.

I returned.

So in the crags deep and distant from Tu Le,

I searched.

I search for my youth,

I search for my answers,

I search for Linh.

I searched.

I found only a temple.

With scars of my past.

Continue reading

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