Featured Works: Week of Sep. 25 (Modern Life)
Throughout the ages, poets and writers have examined the times in which they lived. As this week’s contributors demonstrate, our modern lifestyle offers opportunities for both humor and reflection. “In Velvet” by Audrey El-Osta raises a sit-com scene to divine self-expression. “Princess and the 21st Century Space-Age Mattress” by Mat Labotka provides a humorous update of a classic tale. “Interior Monologue (Girl with Cell Phone)” by Frank De Canio turns to the sonnet form for a wry dissection of modern...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Sep. 11 (Rebirth)
Fifteen years ago, we were deep into our preparations for the first issue of Wild Violet, an online magazine blending high art (poetry, literary fiction) with pop culture (humor, reviews, interviews). Taking advice from a poetry professor who said it was our responsibility to make a place for poetry in the world, we wanted to make a place for the arts. Now, as Wild Violet comes back from hiatus — me having spent much of the past ten months dealing with my mom’s estate after her sudden death just before Thanksgiving — it’s a good time to...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Feb. 22 (Late Winter)
For those who might be unaware, the recent hiatus was mostly due to coping with my mother’s sudden death just before Thanksgiving. I hope to return to a more regular publishing schedule now, returning to doing the work I so love. This week, our contributors reflect the images and thoughts of late winter. “The Shield,” a poem by Llyn Clague, captures the reflection embodied by gray late winter days. “Centred,” a poem by Canadian poet Joanna M. Weston, presents a quiet moment of peaceful contemplation. “Snow Trails,” a poem by Larsen Bowker, takes...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Nov. 30 (Bright Peace)
Lighthouse by Vivian Irene Starr This week’s issue is dedicated to my mother, Vivian Irene Starr, who died this month. She was a nature lover, was kind to animals, was a talented artist, and loved cooking and gardening. Her name meant “Bright peaceful star.” In “I Try to Forgive Your Absence, Facing the Snake in the Kitchen” by Laurie Klein, the speaker vacillates between compassion and practicality while dealing with pests. “tiny fur snails” is a haiku by Donald Gaither, capturing a natural moment of transition. “Violet Jelly” by Lyn...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Oct. 26 (Other Worlds)
“Beginnings” by Lynda Bullock on Flickr For the week of Halloween, a time when minds turn to the imagination, our contributors take us to other worlds. “The Society” by Marla Johnson is a sequel to an earlier piece, also published by Wild Violet, about a young werewolf seeking vengeance. In “Robotomy” by Joe Andriano, two androids fall in love and kick off a robot revolution. “The Briar Speaks” by Gabriella M. Belfiglio provides a different perspective on a well-known fairy tale. In “Obsession” by Megan Sierra Smith, two girls bond...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Sept. 21 (Inspiration)
As writers, artists, musicians, photographers, we craft our works based on what inspires us. This week’s Wild Violet contributors let us inside the creative process. In “My Muse Sings Only Country” by Emory Jones, a “truck-stop troubador” takes a writing journey. Inspired by that country-singing muse, in his poem “Border Country,” Emory Jones tells a tale of Tennessee men and boys. “In the Desert of My Mind” by A.J. Huffman delves into the zen of writing. In “The Muse of Monterey” by Thomas Piekarski, the speaker...
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