Malak Mattar, Untitled (detail), 2024, charcoal on paper
strength
it repeats the names of stone & water
like lost religions.
it has hidden its pearls behind clenched
teeth.
the childs hand tightens to a fist;
each knuckle is an acorn put there to get
strength through the winter.
that a diamond survives not because its beautiful
but because its hard is a sad song, but
it is the only one that strength knows
Poetry
Vanished Qilou Building, Bali by Yang Biwei
Translated from the Chinese by Liang Yujing
Poetry
W. Bent Nicholsen is seeking a publisher for his first book, By Word of Mouth. (updated 1974)