Thoth to Isis

Thoth to Isis

Isis, you request accountability,

Perhaps deserve an answer;

I’m pure as a virgin’s bedside manner;

Gods who hang with baboons

Need no supervision to

Shape-shift on command,

Conceal desire, then eat like an Ibis.

Isis, Egypt remembers my connections

My contributions; rolling dice,

I won five extra solar days yearly from the moon

Lifted your mother’s curse, provided more

Hours to menstruate in an unfertile universe

Created from dirt inside a bottle-cap; like

Cosmetics, now humans wear each age longer

Oh Isis, you know Ra’s eye

Kept watching me; torn out by Set, I

Restored it, named “the whole one” Wadjet; she

Sent me a Nubian twig and beer can pull-top,

Future remnants of skyscraping pyramids;

Houses exalting material wastelands, ignoring my

Coffin Texts, supernatural spells, renewal

Isis, your birthright sinks like a

Papyrus cradle drifting down the Nile.

It’s always been about personal needs

My magic gave you life, quenched the desert thirst

While your wings breathed life into a corpse

Long enough to seed another Horus; the

Waning moon foretelling our waxing light

Isis, clutch your ankh like a holy relic,

Universe’s forgotten us both;

My scribbles take flight off dusty scrolls

Crumble and fall through fingers true, when

Scales no longer distinguish the ingenuous and unworthy;

Society now devours them both in a world of feathers,

Twittering its way into a commercial afterlife.

—TieDye

E-Val

The darkness. The bitterness. The coldness. He stood alone, he always stood alone. His blade stood upright, forged in the boulder across from him. He never claimed to be a hero, never wanted to be seen as one. His actions were heartless which created a heavy sense of loneliness. His blade, rightly named inJustice, was the only friend he knew. inJustice’s last slaying was that of a thief. The thief apparently was running with a wallet in hand. inJustice effortlessly severed the thief’s throat, allowing blood to gush out. Violence was the only answer; violence solved everything. inJustice made him bitter. Made him resentful. inJustice controlled him, manipulated him, but without inJustice his was nothing. He yearned for inJustice, despite the hatred. The power…it felt invigorating…the power to take lives was addicting. inJustice gave him this power. He craved it, wanted it more and more. inJustice allowed him to escape his emotions, allowed him to be heartless. He was lonely, he was bitter, but he had bloodlust.

He didn’t understand why he was considered a hero. He killed countless people, probably innocent people. Perhaps he was seen as a vigilante, but he knew inside, he was devoured by darkness.

Empty Victories, Heroic Enemies…

Freedom Dollar

What is freedom but the ability to make choices? Between courage and cowardice, duty and love, or even heaven and hell. The nature of the choices we make define us as human beings. Ultimately we choose the world we inhabit. Only 33 yrs yet already sporting wrinkles of someone twice her age Deborah had not the luxury to accentuate the rather attractive woman beneath the dirt and grime. As second in command in the PLA (Peoples liberation army) she carried much responsibility that made her wonder how she got it. It was through she was strong as steel but she wished this war would be over so she could once again be a woman not some G.I Jane freedom fighter. She sometimes wondered what would of happened if she had gone along with the majority, in truth how important was the freedom she was fighting so hard to secure.

Before the rebellion she worked at the World Bank as an administrative assistant to the President. The crash of 2009 followed by the swine flu outbreak left the world in financial ruins. The world’s top economists from the G20 advised that sometimes you must prune undesirable things in order that the entire organism survive, with that the poverty and diseased stricken in the developing world and the developed world were left to die. Deborah had never seen corpses pilled so high, it was as if some one gave the world an enema and the rest was left to smell the stench and clean up the shit. After the population reached an acceptable and manageable number Draconian measures became the norm. Groups that were high risked to disturbed the status quo was dealt with cruelly. Forced sterilizations became frequent food and water were distributed to the population in rations you were only given the necessary. Everyone was forced to wear the same kind of clothes and no matter your profession you were given the same pay.

Still no one sad anything, it was like we became a world of sheep being led willingly to the slaughter. It is true though you can only push people so far before some faction decides enough is enough. In 2050the entire world went cashless the dollar was no longer circulating everything operated by credit. This cause riots in the streets, the strength of the military could not be undone and every riot or protest was quelled by violence and blood. So it was in the land of brave did liberty die? Until Deborah sicken to her stomach funded the alliance with the grates gift she could give a printing press design to spew money in the thousands every hour. The PLA was truly enriched a dollar was more than just a dollar it signified tings about the people’s fight and struggle to achieve great things. It also reminded us that out there in the universe there’s something bigger than man.

The underground mint fueled new hope around the world as rumors of the US rebellion printing money reached hopeful hearts around the world. However the media or the mouthpiece of the government silenced these as propaganda. It became clear people would not rally against the governments if there was no symbol to light there way. So it was that this night in the dark underground the decision was made to have six strong souls run across borders to deliver a one-dollar bill so as to inspire people to fight. Deborah closed her eyes against the guilt at bringing the printing press as she watched her only son gear himself for his path in the mission. “Josh” she said “please cut your ponytail off it’s illegal you know that” he gave her a look as if to say “ I won’t forget so stop fussing”. He was so happy to be chosen by Alexander, Deborah new however why Alexander had chosen Josh. Josh was his illegitimate son and Alexander leader of the rebellion was married a direct descendant Ben Franklin one of the founding father’s .In her veins ran a symbol of American freedom that inspired the rebellion in the states, no other country had such a link as those things that associated with the past were eradicated without prejudice. Deborah as betrayed and fearful for her son’s if as she felt could not risk the rebellion. The horn blew for everyone to assemble. There Alexander addressed the 6 brave men and women who choose to do this. When he was done they exited the underground hideout under the cover of night. Deborah gave her son the most affectionate smile she could. She new at 15 he would not appreciate her hugging him in front of the other’s he already had to deal with the “ He’s so young bit “.

It’s been two months and Josh wasn’t aware that the other five hadn’t even come close to their destinations, they had to travel all the way to Berlin. Each supposedly coming from different entry points in hope that one would get through with their precious cargo. The Germans were the only fraction that had a broad cast radio system, All other fraction could only hear what they were reporting if a dollar bill any off them arrived they could verify it to the worldwide population. Josh arrived in Berlin scared but determined The broadcast said that an agent from the radio would be waiting at the point where the Berlin wall stood every day at 11am until noon to verify. The agent would be identifiable by the one red socks he would be wearing under the standard dress code. Josh sees him across the street and proceeded to head for him the street was crowded with people and soldiers going to and fro, when Josh thought he was almost there the unthinkable happened a man knocked him hard and his hat fell of revealing his long ponytail. Everyone stopped to steer the soldiers yelled “ you there stop your under arrest” Josh could only think of one thing get the dollar to his contact. He started running.

Across the street Hans sees the boy running thinking what this might mean, he starts reporting through a hidden radio in his coat. “I see a boy running he has a long ponytail, the police are chasing him he’s pulling something out of his pocket”. BANG BANG, gunshots silenced the air as people all over ducked. Josh sees the dollar a few inches in front of him his bloody hands reached for it and held it tight. Some where in the distance he hears the words “ They shot him, they just killed him”. As the sound of his heartbeat crawled towards the long dark call of death his hands relinquished its treasure. People were running now; around him, over him as the police proceeded to drag his body away. A little boy shoes appeared in front his empty eyes and the bloody dollar bill stuck to the underside of it. Deborah screamed and her knees buckled, as the agent reported her son’s body being dragged, no dollar bill to be seen.

Later that night Khan’s mother cleaning his shoe saw the bloody dollar bill under his shoe. The words “ In God we trust” shone serenely, not knowing its value and what it stood for; promptly threw it in the fireplace.



What is freedom but the ability to make choices? Between courage and cowardice, duty and love, or even heaven and hell. The nature of the choices we make define us as human beings. Ultimately we choose the world we inhabit. Only 33 yrs yet already sporting wrinkles of someone twice her age Deborah had not the luxury to accentuate the rather attractive woman beneath the dirt and grime. As second in command in the PLA (Peoples liberation army) she carried much responsibility that made her wonder how she got it. It was through she was strong as steel but she wished this war would be over so she could once again be a woman not some G.I Jane freedom fighter. She sometimes wondered what would of happened if she had gone along with the majority, in truth how important was the freedom she was fighting so hard to secure.

Before the rebellion she worked at the World Bank as an administrative assistant to the President. The crash of 2009 followed by the swine flu outbreak left the world in financial ruins. The world’s top economists from the G20 advised that sometimes you must prune undesirable things in order that the entire organism survive, with that the poverty and diseased stricken in the developing world and the developed world were left to die. Deborah had never seen corpses pilled so high, it was as if some one gave the world an enema and the rest was left to smell the stench and clean up the shit. After the population reached an acceptable and manageable number Draconian measures became the norm. Groups that were high risked to disturbed the status quo was dealt with cruelly. Forced sterilizations became frequent food and water were distributed to the population in rations you were only given the necessary. Everyone was forced to wear the same kind of clothes and no matter your profession you were given the same pay.

Still no one sad anything, it was like we became a world of sheep being led willingly to the slaughter. It is true though you can only push people so far before some faction decides enough is enough. In 2050the entire world went cashless the dollar was no longer circulating everything operated by credit. This cause riots in the streets, the strength of the military could not be undone and every riot or protest was quelled by violence and blood. So it was in the land of brave did liberty die? Until Deborah sicken to her stomach funded the alliance with the grates gift she could give a printing press design to spew money in the thousands every hour. The PLA was truly enriched a dollar was more than just a dollar it signified tings about the people’s fight and struggle to achieve great things. It also reminded us that out there in the universe there’s something bigger than man.

The underground mint fueled new hope around the world as rumors of the US rebellion printing money reached hopeful hearts around the world. However the media or the mouthpiece of the government silenced these as propaganda. It became clear people would not rally against the governments if there was no symbol to light there way. So it was that this night in the dark underground the decision was made to have six strong souls run across borders to deliver a one-dollar bill so as to inspire people to fight. Deborah closed her eyes against the guilt at bringing the printing press as she watched her only son gear himself for his path in the mission. “Josh” she said “please cut your ponytail off it’s illegal you know that” he gave her a look as if to say “ I won’t forget so stop fussing”. He was so happy to be chosen by Alexander, Deborah new however why Alexander had chosen Josh. Josh was his illegitimate son and Alexander leader of the rebellion was married a direct descendant Ben Franklin one of the founding father’s .In her veins ran a symbol of American freedom that inspired the rebellion in the states, no other country had such a link as those things that associated with the past were eradicated without prejudice. Deborah as betrayed and fearful for her son’s if as she felt could not risk the rebellion. The horn blew for everyone to assemble. There Alexander addressed the 6 brave men and women who choose to do this. When he was done they exited the underground hideout under the cover of night. Deborah gave her son the most affectionate smile she could. She new at 15 he would not appreciate her hugging him in front of the other’s he already had to deal with the “ He’s so young bit “.

It’s been two months and Josh wasn’t aware that the other five hadn’t even come close to their destinations, they had to travel all the way to Berlin. Each supposedly coming from different entry points in hope that one would get through with their precious cargo. The Germans were the only fraction that had a broad cast radio system, All other fraction could only hear what they were reporting if a dollar bill any off them arrived they could verify it to the worldwide population. Josh arrived in Berlin scared but determined The broadcast said that an agent from the radio would be waiting at the point where the Berlin wall stood every day at 11am until noon to verify. The agent would be identifiable by the one red socks he would be wearing under the standard dress code. Josh sees him across the street and proceeded to head for him the street was crowded with people and soldiers going to and fro, when Josh thought he was almost there the unthinkable happened a man knocked him hard and his hat fell of revealing his long ponytail. Everyone stopped to steer the soldiers yelled “ you there stop your under arrest” Josh could only think of one thing get the dollar to his contact. He started running.

Across the street Hans sees the boy running thinking what this might mean, he starts reporting through a hidden radio in his coat. “I see a boy running he has a long ponytail, the police are chasing him he’s pulling something out of his pocket”. BANG BANG, gunshots silenced the air as people all over ducked. Josh sees the dollar a few inches in front of him his bloody hands reached for it and held it tight. Some where in the distance he hears the words “ They shot him, they just killed him”. As the sound of his heartbeat crawled towards the long dark call of death his hands relinquished its treasure. People were running now; around him, over him as the police proceeded to drag his body away. A little boy shoes appeared in front his empty eyes and the bloody dollar bill stuck to the underside of it. Deborah screamed and her knees buckled, as the agent reported her son’s body being dragged, no dollar bill to be seen.

Later that night Khan’s mother cleaning his shoe saw the bloody dollar bill under his shoe. The words “ In God we trust” shone serenely, not knowing its value and what it stood for; promptly threw it in the fireplace.

Days of Darkness

At a glance there was nothing strange about Mandingo,it was just another little village cut off from the rest of the country.Inside it’s bondaries there were no paved road or concrete structures,just a muddy track that would travel the length of the village.Inside the first little shack a little girl yelled "ouch" as her mummy tried in vain to remove chiga lavas from her feet by candle light.It was just 4pm ,but already the tiny village had a feel of midnight.All children were told to be in by 3pm.Life was simple; yet deceivingly treacherous on the islands in the 1920’s .There were worst things to worry about than sailors taking advantage of little village girls.Things unexplained that went bump in the night, that no village hunting party could hunt down and destroy.Against such perils, the only recourse was to keep your “Picnis” inside after 3pm less ;“The Duoens” would find them.Duoens were said to be children who died before they were blessed come back to steal unattended children from their parents.

Children were precious in those days,many were lost along with their mothers during childbirth.The ones that survived, were protected with a ferocity that one would attriute to a crazed lion looking over her cub.Yet inspite of that ,every year dozens of children went missing. Many a mothers and fathers stood on the boundary of Cayey forest, calling for children who would never return home.Cynthia was one of 14 children who lived in the village , like her peers she loved the freedom and simplicity that village life brought. She like the others new what was expected of them ,and there was only one rule “Doh leh 3’ o clock meet yuh outside”.

Cynthia however was like most children her age,curious. And always the very young don't always do what their told. So it was one evening ;she found herself with four other's down by the pond ,that lies at the edge of the village.It was dark not because the sun did'nt shine but because it could not pierce the thick canopy overhead.Each one had within their hands ,a small jar in which tiny fishes could be placed and taken home as pets.Uncle Shaboneau came out of the nearby bushes with a bundle of lucky bush in one arm and a sickle in the other." Ltittle picnis" he shouted " hurry up and go home".He approached Cynthia and wiped under her nose " Look how yuh dutty yuh face,yeh muddah go cut yuh tail". He said his piece, then vanished into the bushes again.The children played in the pond some more, before Cynthia's voice reached them from the other side of the pond." Alyuh hear de children dem ah callin"the other's turned to look at her, utterly perplexed by whom she was reffering to." who yuh ah talking too de Cynthia " Said Simon looking more and more concerned.Before he could say anything more she took off through the bamboos calling.The other's tore after her ,but it was as if she vanished into thin air.

That night the village was somber,another one gone. Igard Cynthia's father was beside himself ."Not meh child,not me child ah go find she" Miriam Cynthia's mother tried in vain to console him. " I will find dem Duoens"abruptly he got up and backed a small bag and he too disappeard in the forest.After 2 days Igard was about to give up their was no sign of his daughter,till a tall dark figure caught his attention up ahead.Without making a sound he followed the figure to a nearby hut in a clearing deep .It was a part of the woods not even he had ventured ,he waited out side until the figure emerged and was revealed under the moonlight. It was Shabounea, but what was he doing here ? For he lived in the village, he ventured inside the hut only to be stopped dead in his tracks by the sight.

Skulls dozens of skulls hanging on the walls,from the looks of them they were children.On the table at the far ends was the remains of his daugter,she had been skinned and her fat scraped out. His breathing grew rapid anger and grief pulsed in his veins,he grabbed the sickle from off the table,gripping it tight in his hands.Soon he heard footsteps on the grass outside and like a man with a mission he went through the doorway. A horrific scream shattered the night air.After 5 days Igard re-enterd the village his wife ran out to meet him seeing his empty hands she knew there was no hope of ever seeing her daughter again.Her eyes wet betrayed the anger in her voice whan she asked " Yuh find dem Dueons"? He looked at her and the now small gathering of people who came out to see." Yeah i find dem ,no more picnis will go missin no more.

Quillen's "Slip" (poem version)

It sensed my face,
knew I watched spellbound by
its confusion—its pain,
absorbed and defining a nightmare existence.

“Slip,” a fiberglass sculpture
shaped like an engorged “S”
through a looking glass . . .
Eyes blinking top and bottom,
vulgar vertical lips breathing sighs,
uttering sounds
almost inaudible,
almost sensual,
always searching.

“Wow-wow; low, low, low, low.
Oh no! Oh no! Where did you go?”
gave form and measure—
meaning to its multimodal essence,
across the museum:
Grieving, foreboding, apocalyptic.

Maria listened—
no eyes, mouth, nostrils—just
Skin draped with cascading black hair.
Unpainted, like an unfinished manikin
on canvass,
Maria could only imagine how
“Slip” appealed to all senses.
Like an abstract conversationalists,
they communicate.


Sterling Warner
Summer 2009

Life Aghast

It was awful. It was terrible. The images that I’ve witnessed will be burned into my head forever. I walk away now truly understanding the harsh reality of what war really is. What I just came out of can only be described as the most gruesome cut throat battle ever witnessed. It all happened so fast. One minute we were standing frontline watching them ride over the horizon; in the next moment I’m in the middle of a whirlwind of blood from all angles. All I could hear was screaming, and chaos as the gun powder filled the air. I’m not sure how long the battle lasted. All I can remember is the last moments of one of our fellow soldiers. After the field cleared I saw him, waddling in a pool of his own blood, gasping for air, until slowly fading to rest before I could even react. He just laid there motionless.

I was at a total loss for words. I had to sit down for a moment. I couldn’t believe it. I always wanted to join the army but for this? I myself came out completely unharmed but I just as well could’ve been shot, because that’s how I felt at the moment. I couldn’t even bear to look. It was too devastating. As the cold wind blew through the air we returned to our base where I stayed awake all night with my mind racing.

I didn’t know if I even wanted to continue at this point. At times I forget what exactly I’m fighting for to begin with, but there’s no way I can quit. We just have to continue on, but each day is harder. It’s a shame things had to end up like this but we’re all forced to search for light at the end of the tunnel. I wonder if justice will truly prevail. I also wonder how my family feels right now. However one thing I do know is that after what I’ve seen, every breath taken is one worth cherishing.

Eovl & Ecaep, Xes, Sgurd fo Sare Eht

Bell Bottoms, big hair, is that weed I smell?
Funkadelic colors, tie-dyed shirts, loving so good that it hurts
Sniffing snow, eating caps, tripping out over all this crap
JFK, Yellow Submarines, is that a Bee Gee I see?
Fight the Power, Black Panther, Peace & Love, let’s all hug
Far Out, Groovy, Abbey Road, Let’s all get blowed
Flashing lights, slick moves, John Travolta with a funny do
I’m starting to combine eras, but I don’t care, Watergate treated Nixon unfair
Vietnam, Rocky & Apollo Creed, Man on the Moon, who would’ve believed?
It’s almost the end of this song, Feminism started to boom
Let’s end on this note, the 60’s and 70’s had a lotta fucking smoke




(It’s better if I read it, I can make it sound like it actually rhymes, by alliterating specific syllables)