Welcome to Lightwood magazine Issue #16 at Lightwoodpress.com.
I quote a phrase that may have value to you: from E. M. Forster’s 1910 novel Howard’s End. “Only connect! . . . Live in fragments no longer.”
We, as human, are interconnected whether we want to be or not. Whether we believe this or not. And we must use this connection for the betterment of all people. We’ll continue to learn from each other. For truly, as has been said—nothing human is alien to us.
I add here a short quote from Horace:
“Littera scripta manet.” The written word remains.
We wish you a creative winter (or summer) season with the hope of peace. And a life of connection with yourself and others.
Enjoy this 16th issue and the previous ones and spread the word about Lightwood. We’re always looking for interesting pieces to publish. And any donation helps to continue to support other writers and artists.
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Welcome to Lightwood Winter Issue #16
Welcome to Lightwood magazine Issue #16 at Lightwoodpress.com. I quote a phrase that may have value to you: from E. M. Forster’s 1910 novel Howard’s End. “Only connect! . . . Live in fragments no longer.” We, as human, are interconnected whether we want to be or not. Whether we believe this or not. And we must…
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TRAVERSE/ a book of image and words by Laurence Carr and Power Boothe/ now available
TRAVERSE is collaborative book of images by artist Power Boothe and texts by Laurence Carr, published by Lightwood Press and available through this magazine and online sources. The book retails for $40.00 USD but through Lightwood the price is $32.00 USD with $5.00 for postage and handling, send within the U.S. Contact publisher Laurence Carr…
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Artists in Space/ Anne Gorrick
Anne Gorrick is an artist and writer. “As a writer exploring innovative forms, I was constrained early on by the limits of my laser printer and its 8 ½” x 11” page, so I began to leap the divide between the verbal and visual by studying traditional Japanese papermaking, bookmaking, printmaking, encaustic monotype, and cyanotype.…
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The Bob Dylan Bootleg Series: A Totally Subjective Retrospective Part 4/ music review by Mike Jurkovic
The Rock n Roll Curmudgeon Rides Again The Bob Dylan Bootleg Series: A Totally Subjective Retrospective (quattro) Let us make this penultimate installment a bit less clunky and long-winded as its three predecessors. And yes, there will be a fifth and, possibly the longest, essay speculating on the music still in the dark, dark vaults. Be it by…
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Two Poems from Joseph Cornell: The Man Who Loved Sparrows/ a book by Tana Miller and Jan Zlotnik Schmidt
///// Joseph Cornell Teaches me how to Write a Poem With no Words we sit in the tiny pack-rat dining room in his family house at 3708 Utopia Parkway Joseph Cornell tall craggy pours tea while his gruff matron-mother huffs- puffs in the adjoining kitchen and his brother Robert sits in his wheel chair forever…
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Mr. Bengt’s Wife/ a play by August Strindberg/in its first English translation by Malin Tybåhl and Laurence Carr
Now Available as an eBook Mr. Bengt’s Wife by August Strindberg in its first English translation by Malin Tybåhl and Laurence Carr For more information contact Laurence Carr: larrycarr521@gmail.com Published by Lightwood Press and available as an eBook on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook) and other streaming services. Mr. Bengt’s Wife by August Strindberg: A Synopsis Mr.…
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From My Journals, Part 2; a Zen essay by Roshi Gregory Hosho Abels
When asked, Is Zen Buddhism a religion? As a Zen Buddhist, I answer with the following: No, it is not. Do not be fooled by the candles, incense, bowing and chanting. Zen is not involved with belief in a God or Gods. Its Founder did not claim to be Divine. Its Founder did not claim…
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If This Isn’t Love/ poems by Susana H. Case/ book review by Karen Hildebrand
If This Isn’t Love/ Poetry by Susana H. Case/ Broadstone Books 2023review by Karen Hildebrand ///// The opening poem, “Love Stories for Girls,” tees up Susana H. Case’s newest collection with a popular premise that much romantic folly is due to certain expectations we are fed from an early age. Every distortion I learned about…
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another Harlem ghazal/ poem by Zigi Lowenberg
Brass-&-Wood doors shut on their own tonight Currents cross wood floors in brownstone tonight Harlem ghosts, friendly Caspers, all that jazz Tease away that workaday a’moan’ tonight Mr. Ron’s hurrah invocates to join his broom-swept stage & share the throne tonight Wipe office off your shoe, hang on stoop to greet, slow your keys and…
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A Poem for The Extraterrestrial/ poem by Guy Reed
When the alien descends from outer space, after we marvel at its ride,what will we offer?Einstein, Mozart, Shakespeare, Buddha? Trinkets of gold and diamonds?A virgin on a stone altar?A handshake with our robot, a missile, or a glass of water?Will we ask, do you know Yahwehor are you your own God?Do you have childrenand put…
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The Age of Winter/ poem by Ken Holland
There’s a brutality to this winter wind as if it’s personal, payback for some insult we’ve long forgotten. The day gives up its light like a mother her child, the long gray mourning in which they veil themselves. The house is a single flame of heat rising from acreage of static grass, the voice of…
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The Alone Show, episodes 14, 29, 44/ microfiction by Jess Nadelman
14 Recent ramblings of usually unresponsive ex-lovers led Rudy to places only the Roy Orbison lonely dared venture. The dirty fingernail of memory dug into the still festering lies he has told in the name of authenticity. Rudy visited the websites where dreams supposedly surface, seeking their next emotional victims. He chose carefully. Recently widowed,…
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I Slant Into Doubt/ poem by Lucia Cherciu
I slant into doubt like a car turning too close into the oncoming plow. I know I should veer far from it, lean into the snow banks rather than into the blade, and yet the whole day has been tilted into hesitation: how much fuel do I burn just staying on track? How much resolution…
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All My Monsters Are Dead or Why I Love Being Old/ poetry by Betty MacDonald/ book review by Laurence Carr
Betty MacDonald’s book of poems with a both whimsical and provocative title: All My Monsters Are Dead or Why I Love Being Old, (Codhill Press 2023) is a rewarding read in many ways. She is an author who speaks directly to the reader. One feels as if one is sitting down with Betty over a tea (as…
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maple goddess/ poem by Naomi Bindman
maple goddess inspired by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer bedecked in shimmering orange sari sparkled with interwoven strands shining like filigree, blushing crimson, hair ablaze of sun’s dying glory, her many arms reach skyward as if to hold that glowing orb aloft, a newborn, or offering for tomorrow— what can I learn from you about being rugged…
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One Hundred Visions of War/ poems by Julien Vocance/ translated by Alfred Nicol/ book review by Mary Beth Hines
One Hundred Visions of War by Julien Vocance, translated by Alfred Nicol, Preface by Dana Gioia, published November 2022, Wiseblood Books Haiku, traditionally subtle and nature-oriented, seems a miscast form for writing from the trenches of a brutal war. Yet Joseph Seguin, who wrote under the pen name Julian Vocance, used it to great effect…
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When the Leaves Are All Gone/ poem by Steven P. Klepeis
WHEN THE LEAVES ARE ALL GONE It’s when the leaves are all gone down to shrinking prints on bare black rock, and the close green of summer with long lovely arms retires its veil in longing. When the motes of autumn sand clear early, and cold wisps of the lawn dance you into the arms…
Lightwood 
Larry,
Another fine issue of Lightwood. I appreciate the kind review of Betty MacDonald’s Codhill title, and the Dylan was great. Let’s try to get together early in the new year, to talk shop and art. Happy holidays to you and Kay.
warm regards, David
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