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reviews

MAIN STREET RAG Volume 8, Number 2, Summer ‘03.  M. Scott Douglass / Editor, 4416 Shea Lane, Charlotte, N.C. 28227. 96pps. Perfect bound.

  Opens w/a shaking. Douglass’ editorial “The Gulf Between Us” is right on target, tsk-tsking the “Christian American Chauvinism” that is shoved down our throats (and in our pockets, public restrooms, local bookstores, etc. .. Oh wait, that’s the Mormons!) But it sings our own Super Star Complex - or, as Michael Jackson (& friends) once sang.. “We Are The World” - NOT! Look around. Religion is not the answer, it’s the cause! It’s like Earth is just one big arena and we’re all on teams. Our Captain? God, (under his many aliases) and we’re all out to win for the gipper. Anyway, read his. I’m just commenting.  There are interviews (David Slavitt by Okla Elliott), photography (and great cover art by Michael Swisher), essays, fiction, and poetry. First by Slavitt, following suit w/his anti-state idealism “Prologue To A Play”. Samuel speaks “By politics do all men become strangers.” His poem “Cain” is a plea for defense w/an interesting view.   Further in, Janis Greve relates early libido escapades w”/hips jutting sideways in a sulk,” waiting for the bad boyz of night. Karen Lodge gives a slick kiss-off in “See Ya” and Sampson Starweather writes the most beautiful poem about price tag sex I’ve ever read, picking up a woman who “looked like the/reason I was born.”. They “made love to the Coltrane in my head” and he “felt two bumps/Which might have been the beginning of wings.” on her back and finally, dispelling her her statement (and poem title) “Whores don’t kiss”. There are reviews and contributor notes to finish off this masterful publication. $7.00 sample. $20/4 issue subscription
-cheryl townsend

STAPLEGUN #16 / Summer 2003, Scott Gordon / Editor, POB 190184, Birmingham, AL 35219 www.staplegunpress.com

A zine that subtitles itself "Poetry that humps your leg" & headlines such works as "How to shave your balls", "Cloning made simple" ..."and other things that burn when swallowed", alongside a front cover photo of 4 spiffy looking dudes is, right off, A-OK w/me. The editor "foreplay's" us w/news of his new daughter (w/photos.. and no, this is NOT the prelude to sappy, yappy poetry) and dives right in w/a Todd Moore poems. Also within is a humorous (tribute)? to Robert Pinsky by Nathan Graziano, referring to a reading he attended wherein Pinsky shares his poetic creations through everyday touch, leaving Graziano to ponder "if there was a poem / in his new collection called "Nutsack." / Does Robert Pinksky touch / his nutsack while writing poems? // I often do." Some kick-ass work by Charles P. Ries. Alan Catlin's bar scenes always amuse.. one having a "self-inflicted / alcoholic satori-a place / of nebulous dreaming -" and Christopher Cunningham packs a wallop w/his short verse ""Punch" .. and there is also artwork, reviews & listings. Nice, clean & well laid. $3.00. It's a steal!