Rock & Sling Inaugural issue

My contributor's copy of the inaugural issue of Rock & Sling arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a new literary magazine out of Spokane, WA, edited by Chris Kristensen, Susan Cowger, and Laurie Klien, whose theme is "Post-Modern Christianity." Being a lapsed catholic, I have years of wondrous parochial school indoctrination to write from, and they took four poems. One of them, "The Judas Tree," (see below) was chosen for a highlighted commentary by one of the editors. It's one of several Gay Jesus Poems I wrote years ago during my "Ai phase," when her book Sin was one of my guidebooks for how to write a persona.

The journal has excellent production values: gorgeous engaging glossy color cover; clean and easy to read typography and layout; no typos. I am pleased to be included with fine poets such as Michael Bonacci, Rebecca Loudon, Laurie Lamon, and Lisa Roullard; and there is an interesting interview with Li-Young Lee.


The Judas Tree

(Tell me about the sin of pride
and I'll tell you
about the lie of forgiveness.
-- Ai, "Two Brothers")

Would it be enough to say
I was afraid? That I stood accused,
wrists bound, eyes blackened?
That centurions led me to a high balcony,
showed me the throng
swarming for Passover, and you
among them, riding a donkey?

You love him? they jeered,
and spit in my face. Then
kiss him, they hissed,
and knocked me to the floor.

Rose welts streaked the dawn
as I dangled. And later, red flowers
pierced my thorned limbs
in your honor.

To hell with dreams of silver,
with your magical fall that lifts us
from the muck. Without a lover
there is no beloved.


*

PS: Happy Belated-Easter! (wink grin)