The Wrong Kiiid Died
Four o’clock in the morning before the world wakes up; freshness in the air, the light beginning to peek through the darkness of night, headlights on, radio off. Mumbling my lines, I drive reasonably fast. Sixty miles per hour is reasonably fast; no tickets for me. Wind tossing my hair, gray by now, slight elevation of spirit, a sense of purpose in the air, driving to work; not any kind of work. Film work, the movie business, so different from the usual notion of work, offers a certain degree of adventure that most jobs do not. Meanwhile, plenty of time; nerves aren’t frazzled,...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Oct 5 (Biography)
Everyone has a story to tell, and through listening to them, we can learn a lot about other people’s dreams, emotions and experiences. This week’s contributors share pieces related to biography and autobiography. First, in her essay “Biography Year,” Margaret Montet takes an innovative look at what she learned from a year of reading biographies. William Miller’s poem, “Lowell’s Briefcase,” illuminates the last moments in the life of American poet Robert Lowell. “Talone’s Yard” by Amy Barone provides a vivid snapshot of childhood and...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of March 30 (Contemplation)
Coming back from a lengthy hiatus, Wild Violet is resuming a weekly schedule, because in these days of quarantine and self-isolation, we need the arts more than ever. This week’s contributors write about quiet moments, about connections with nature and with each other. “Kindness” by Carole Phillips shows how a solitary moment becomes an opportunity for solace from a stranger. “Where the Skin Breaks” by Raymond Philip Asaph ponders how the immutable beauty of a peach can become spiritual. “Overcast evening” by Ayaz Daryl Nielsen, a haiku, captures the feel...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of March 3 (Aging)
As Winter gradually ekes away and spring’s renewal approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on life cycles, and in particular, aging. “Recognized” by Michael Keshigian reflects on the nature of aging. Literally. In “Old Clyde and Mrs. Hill,” a short prose piece, David Sapp recalls elderly neighbors from childhood. “The Blurring of Edges” by David Sapp traces the changes in thinking from youth to maturity. “The Garden of Ramanatom” by Thomas Dorsett is a lyrical look at how nature’s life cycles mimic our...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Jan. 14 (Finding a Voice)
One of the best ways to learn and grow as a society is by listening to those whose voices are often overlooked. This week’s contributors do just that. “Eight Days in Prison” by Nicholas Chittick chronicles roughly a week of experiences in a medium-security Illinois prison. “Own” by Brooks Lindberg is a poem from the point of view of a young person dealing with family strife. “Dissolution” by Julie McNeely-Kirwan follows a man as he strives to get a lawyer to help him secure an unusual...
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