The time between the writing of the original introduction for and publication of this issue has brought horrendous news in the U.S.A., and we refuse to be tone deaf. This issue has been specifically curated to guide you with the sympathy and empathy so unique to poetry. To ease you in, we offer the welcoming arms of two solemn reflections on separated selves and places. Then, a healthy bit of whimsy backed by a mellow but playful tune will make you chuckle at the absurd path of living. Emboldened from experiences survived, an autobiographic tale of several triumphs will lift you up while tickling your sides. To round out the issue, two ruminations regarding our animal kindred help us laugh at ourselves and walk forward with a lighter heart.
One note: we officially have our very first submission to The Grab Bag! But since The Grab Bag requires at least one other submission in order for the poets to trade poems, the Nigerian poet mentioned in the editor’s note at the beginning of the issue will appear hopefully next issue after more people submit their work to be read by another. Thank you so much for listening and contributing. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed bringing it to your ears.
Issue #2 – Playlist
00:00 – 01: 35 A message from the editor
01:40 – 02:41 “The ocean in my pocket” by Giovanna MacKenna
02:46 – 05:51 untitled by Ivan de Monbrison
05:56 – 08:17 “Falling up” by Gregory Schwartz
08:22 – 10:26 “And Even If I Did So What” by Damian Rucci
10:31 – 15:54 “Animals As They Are” by Gregory Schwartz
15:59 – 19:46 “Planet Cow” by Gregory Schwartz
Issue #2 – Individual Contributors
Poem: The ocean in my pocket
Poet: Giovanna MacKenna
Bio: Giovanna MacKenna has been recently published by Black Bough, Nine Pens, iamb, SWC, Robida, Abridged, Dreich, SouthChild Lit, Brag and Tether’s End. Her first full collection, with The Museum of Loss and Renewal Publishing, will be available from June 2022. Find her work, and information on the launch of How the Heart can Falter, at www.giovannamackenna.com and follow her @giovmacpoet.
Poem: untitled (The living room has not been swept for a long time.)
Poet: Ivan de Monbrison
Bio: Ivan de Monbrison is a French poet and artist living in Paris born in 1969 and affected by various types of mental disorders, he has published some poems in the past. Instagram. Twitter.
Poem: Falling Up
Poet: Gregory Schwartz
Bio: Pollak Theater Monmouth U, Moscow 89; Rolling Stone: picture Bamboozle Poet 2010; Street Team Innovation, Headcount Volunteer; 2007 Poet Laureate Asbury Park, Hartke Systems Bass Space; Featured in the Steve Forbert Video “Sandy” Instagram. Twitter.
Poem: And Even If I Did So What (originally published in the anthology And Even If We Did So What)
Poet: Damian Rucci
Bio: Your favorite band’s favorite poet. Unofficial poet laureate of every 7-Eleven in New Jersey. Instagram. Twitter.
Poem: Animals As They Are
Poet: Gregory Schwartz
Bio: Pollak Theater Monmouth U, Moscow 89; Rolling Stone: picture Bamboozle Poet 2010; Street Team Innovation, Headcount Volunteer; 2007 Poet Laureate Asbury Park, Hartke Systems Bass Space; Featured in the Steve Forbert Video “Sandy” Instagram. Twitter.
Poem: Planet Cow
Poet: Gregory Schwartz
Bio: Pollak Theater Monmouth U, Moscow 89; Rolling Stone: picture Bamboozle Poet 2010; Street Team Innovation, Headcount Volunteer; 2007 Poet Laureate Asbury Park, Hartke Systems Bass Space; Featured in the Steve Forbert Video “Sandy” Instagram. Twitter.
Stanza Cannon 