It would be a beautiful garden, Linda
Bethet
If I could forget
My pain, I’d take all your tears
And plant a garden
Bayou Renaissance Man
Alan Garrigan
He was the Res Idiotica
Of Whom we would call an Abednego
He stood as our moral vanguard
We still refer to his Revolutionary embodiment
There'll never be another one like him
And Whoever he was
He still burns like a Lake of Fire
He gives us what we always wanted
A memory with images
Reams and reams of subterfuge
An act without words
You would implicate this man in particular
Impossible to describe him
His want of spectacle,
And so our curse might be lifted then
As his thought can shatter and transform
When he appeared like Cerberus,
None of us wanted to be there
Because he brought the pain upon himself
His Dark element
Forever an eye.
He spoke of Blues and Socialism
He said that God did in fact exist
He said, that the gang protects, the apostles afford,
And that our Love fed off heinous abjection.
And his complicity with taking,
In Only his symbols,
the infusion of opposites.
He came from Appalachian Ghosts
And old Wolves which stand in the way of control
Forget the continuity, look to the simulacra
And when he sang,
Darker than the deepest sea
These Mountain spirits
Norse Runes on a Rouen cathedral
​
About the Author
​
Alan Garrigan is a poet, author and musician. He is currently studying an MA at University College Dublin. He is influenced by the Southern Gothic and writers such as Charles Henri Ford and Frank Stanford. His interests include shamanism, mythology and tarot.
​
forever together
Margarete Schulz
my other half, mother’s milk to my hell fire, you make me laugh
take the corner, crazy laughter and you keeping company, riding under goldfish bursts, street lights like naked flames
your heart up for sale; let me buy it, take good care of it, promise
I do something stupid; you’re still there for me
bring you hot chocolate, and I think it’s cute, too; you smile, don’t pull a face, and that’s how I know
I love you, love you, love you more
lose my mind and you’re on level ground
bring me back down to Earth tonight, hold me tight; we’ll ride through the night and find a new day
sunrise bright, your eyes lock with mine and I know we can do anything because you love me, because we’re together
and we will be, for forever
​
forever together was first published by Gay Flash Fiction.
​
About the Author
​
Margarete Schulz is the pseudonym of a writer from Victoria’s Wild West. She enjoys reading, chocolate and Hello Kitty. Her favourite biscuits are Kooka’s Country Cookies. ;)
Two
Julia Travers
From across a field,
two recognized each other,
and the ground between them
filled with flowers.
​
About the Author
​
Julia Travers is a writer and artist living in Central Virginia, USA. She writes poetry, fiction, essays and news. Her creative works have been published with The Journal of Wild Culture, Ecological Citizen, On Being, The Mindfulness Bell and others.
​
An Interview with GabbieMcC
GabbieMcC
Hi! We're Maltrop, an ezine published by Budding Light Press and today we're speaking with gamer GabbieMcC.
​
Us: Welcome, GabbieMcC. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
​
GabbieMcC: Yeah...nothing.
​
(She is shy.)
​
Us: How did you get into gaming?
​
GabbieMcC: I started playing video games on the PlayStation 2. I used to watch other people playing Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. It was so very interesting to me. Eventually, I got my own PlayStation console and was able to play video games myself.
​
Us: What is the first game you played?
​
GabbieMcC: It was The Sims 2.
​
Us: What are some of your favourite video games?
​
GabbieMcC: Out of all of the games I’ve played, The Sims franchise and its expansions are my most favourite. It doesn’t matter if I stop playing Sims for a while, I just keep coming right back to it. My favourite is The Sims 2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is my second favourite video game. Saying that, I have fond childhood memories of playing LittleBigPlanet and Shrek Smash n' Crash Racing with friends. Also, I like Minecraft. ;P
​
Us: You mentioned The Sims. Are simulation games one of your favourite type of games?
​
GabbieMcC: Yes, they are.
​
Us: What is your favourite simulation game?
​
GabbieMcC: My favourite simulation game is The Sims.
​
Us: Why do you prefer to play The Sims over other simulation games?
​
GabbieMcC: I like Sims because it can take me away from where I am. I can play as whoever I want and do whatever I want. If I want to be a doctor, I can be a doctor. If I want to work for NASA, I can work for NASA. In the Get to Work expansion, you get to go to work and experience having that job.
​
Us: If you could play any simulation game right now, what would you play?
​
GabbieMcC: I’d play The Forest. I haven’t played it before and it sounds like fun.
​
Us: Do you like playing on your own or with someone else?
​
GabbieMcC: I like playing on my own.
​
Us: If you could play on any console you wanted, which would you like to try out?
​
GabbieMcC: The Nintendo Switch because then I could play Animal Crossing.
​
Us: Why do you like gaming?
​
GabbieMcC: As I said, it helps take me away from reality. Like if I’m really stressed, it helps take me away from my situation. And it’s fun.
​
Us: If you hadn’t gotten into gaming, what kind of things would you do for fun?
​
GabbieMcC: I don’t know.
​
Us: Is there anything else you do for fun?
​
GabbieMcC: I read books and fanfiction but they aren’t as immersive. They can grab my attention for a little while but video games hold my attention.
​
Us: Do you think you’ll be sticking with video games into the future?
​
GabbieMcC: Definitely, yes.
​
Us: Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
​
GabbieMcC: Nope. XD
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Us: Lastly, please share with us your favourite snacks to enjoy while gaming.
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GabbieMcC: Flavoured chips, Pocky and milk tea. Milk tea is awesome!
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Us: Thanks for your time, GabbieMcC. It was great chatting with you. Happy gaming! 👾
The Ravens Have Arrived Now
Margarete Schulz
Caw! Caw!
The ravens have arrived, now, at my door
I freeze, I’m afraid
My hands are shaking, quaking: Who was it bade
Those birds come to my door, and peck at my window?
Was it you, my beautiful child? Was it friend or foe?
Is it a message from beyond the grave?
Do I hide, or do I stand tall and be brave?
If I open that door, who will I see standing there?
Will I see you, my baby, or just thin air?
My hands are shaking, my body’s quaking
What do I do? How can I stop from waking
Before the dream has ended?
I’m in need of closure and you’re the only one who can cure my affliction, the only one who can take my heart in your hands and mend it.
The morning has come but I shut my eyes tighter, banishing the light of day
Please, please let this be the end! I pray
It’s time I said ‘goodbye;’ it’s time I opened my eyes to a new day, the life I’ve all but forsaken
You never would have wanted this for me, I know; I’m shaken
I’m breaking down, I need to see you one last time
Where are you, my baby? The big, old clock in the hall gives a distant chime
And threatens to wake me
Here I am, waiting—I feel I could cry—but you’re not where you should be
You’re not here
And the future’s so unclear.
​
The Ravens Have Arrived Now was first published in Shortly, a collection of young adult short stories by Margarete Schulz.
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About the Author
​
Margarete Schulz is the pseudonym of a writer from Victoria’s Wild West. She enjoys reading, chocolate and Hello Kitty. Her favourite biscuits are Kooka’s Country Cookies. ;)