A Flower-Piece by Fantin ~Algernon Charles Swinburne Heart’s ease or pansy, pleasure or thought, Which would the picture give us of these? Surely the heart that conceived it sought Heart’s ease. Surely by glad and divine degrees The heart impelling the hand that wrought Wrought comfort here for a soul’s disease. Deep flowers, with lustre […]
The Double Axe ~ Anne Hazlewood-Brady With torches have I wandered the dark poppy world Looking for Serena, my daughter with green eyes. Wearing the colors of clouds just after sunset She has been hidden archly in the curl of a wave. Once, in the streets, I saw her marching with men, fifteen striding; she […]
Stephanie McCarter’s article “From Penelope to Pussyhats, The Ancient Origins of Feminist Craftivism: On Subversive Uses of Women’s Handicrafts Throughout History” appeared on LitHub a few months ago. As someone who engages in a variety of typically feminine fiber arts (sewing, embroidery, and weaving), the title spoke to me. While I’ve never considered my crafting […]
Scores of People Live in Her ~ Barbara Abbs Scores of people live in her Each different face Wheeled out as appropriate To fill each different space. Aria, hymn, pop or folk, She sings them all to order. The wise friend Succeeds the screaming shrew, With scarcely a pause The quiet gardener with trowel and […]
As part of its seasonal festivities, JStor Daily has a good (if brief) article by Hillary Waterman on spoken spellcraft entitled “Herbs & Verbs: How to Do Witchcraft for Real“. Ignore the title—the article is much better than that. Waterman examines Anglo-Saxon spells and a spell from Papua, New Guinea. Although separated by miles and […]
