Today, poetry forum Mad Swirl published my poem “Like Hitler’s Diary.” You can read it here.
Poetry
“Two Pages in the Book of Death” and three other poems in Danse Macabre
Online literary journal Danse Macabre features “noir coloratura letters by authors from around the world and beyond the grave.” The magazine’s new issue #109 is just out today. It includes four of my poems: “Two Pages in the Book of Death,” “The Subway,” “The Great Thief,” and “Djinnie in the Rain.” You can read them here.
“Lift Cap to Hand” published at In Between Hangovers”
Underground poetry blog In Between Hangovers publishes a selection of poems each day. They recently accepted a batch of stuff from me, which they seem to be rushing into electronic print. Today, my poem “Lift Cap to Hand” joined the chorus of underground voices. This is from the “surreal rant” style pieces in my stash, which sort of rely in strings of outrageous similes to create a blur of images. This one always makes me laugh when I get to the line “lurching like a bee stung circus convoy in Mexican heat.” You can read the whole thing here.
“Whistling on a Wire” published in Le Scat Noir
The 228th issue of old school avant garde journal Le Scat Noir was just released today. An homage of sorts to the humorous art movement of Le Belle Epoque France (circa 1880) called the Incoherents and their nightclub and journal Le Chat Noir, the modern day LSN combines humor, art news, Trump mockery, word play, literary experiments, cartoons, color graphics, and literature in translation, all in a dynamic, visually appealing layout. One of their many amusing taglines: “LSN continues to set standards where none exist.”
This issue also includes my poem “Whistling on a Wire,” which many other journals have rejected, presumably because of its scatalogical nature–in it, an oragutan pees on a crowd of National Zoo-goers. You can read it by following this link.
While the previous issues have been free, I regret to say this October 2017 installment costs $5. But if you peruse just one of the previous ones, you’ll see that it’s a good deal.
“One a Day Rides Again” and four other poems in Synchronized Chaos
I just learned that online literary magazine Synchronized Chaos published its September issue on the first of the month; its theme is “Peace and belonging.” The issue includes five of my poems: “One a Day Rides Again,” “Acapulco Beach Down Midnight,” “Let God Alabama,” “Noman on the Run,” and “Thunderbird Has Landed.” You can read them here.
In her introductory comments, Executive Editor Christina Deptula wrote, “This month’s contributors write about peace and belonging – their hopes for these things, where they can find them and where they don’t.” She then notes how each contributor’s work fits that theme. About my pieces, she said, “Jeff Bagato’s poetic speakers belong where they are, immersed in their environments in these rich, atmospheric pieces.” It’s always interesting to read someone else’s impression of my work. In a way, it’s nice to have some explanation of what it’s all about! LOL
“View from the Park Bench” and two other poems in Outlaw Poetry
Outlaw Poetry magazine seems like an encyclopedia of outsider, “outlaw” poetry. Just check out the long list of writers published in the journal. Naturally, I’m very pleased to be part of it again. This time, three poems appear in the journal: “View from the Park Bench,” “Please Disregard This Alarm,” and “A Maggot for the Time.” You can read them here.
“Kidd’s Work Is Never Done” published by In Between Hangovers
Underground poetry blog In Between Hangovers has a batch of my poems they are trickling out into the world a little faster than I expected. The latest installment, “Kidd’s Work Is Never Done” made it to the blogosphere today. 18th century privateer William Kidd makes an appearance in this one. Another highlight is the new photo! You can check it out here.
Flashback: DC Poetry Slam and Reading at 15 Minutes Club
The 90’s called. They want their poetry slam poster back!
I found two copies of this double-sided flier in a folder of old literary correspondence. I used to regularly attend the open mic readings at 15 Minutes Club, on 15th Street in DC, run by Art Schuhart (editor of GYST journal). I developed my “surreal rant” style work to present there, reading those pieces as loud and fast as possible.
Poetry slams were a big thing in the 90s, like the grunge rock of poetry. I can’t remember if I ever participated in a slam, though. Schuhart also ran the slam team, and once asked if I wanted to join. But in my opinion, poetry is not a competition. Besides, the people who won always seemed to rap, talk about their sex lives, or tell jokes. I don’t mind any of that stuff, but my own writing never seems to come out that way.
The “reading” side may spark some interest for featuring punk poet Jim Carroll on Sept 7 (exact year unknown). DC poetry geezers may remember Dean Blehert and Miles David Moore, two prominent local writers in what you might call the “Federal School”: bureaucrats turned poets. Reston, VA-based Blehert issued a monthly newsletter promoting his own work (and lots of puns), while Moore hosted a long-running reading at Arlington’s Iota Club.
“Liver on the Town” published by In Between Hangovers
One more published by underground poetry blog In Between Hangovers–“Liver on the Town” describes a motorcycle gang made up of various bodily innards. Or something like that. You can read it here.
Video stills in Angry Old Man Magazine
New online poetry magazine Angry Old Man just released its first issue today using one of my video stills as cover art. It also includes four other samples of my visual poetry. AOM #1 is a large issue encompassing textual and visual experiments to expand the notion of writing and written messages. You can check it out here.
jeff bagato 