Hi everyone! Please enjoy some new poetry from regular Insignia Stories contributor, Maria S. Picone. This post shares 2 poems, ' A Costly Mistake' and 'At the Elementary School Field'. A Costly Mistake Maria S. Picone She escaped the dark sorcerer who sought her schoolgirl soul by hiding in her skincare bottles: pure essence of... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #28: ‘The Divine Beasts’ by Yukari Kousaka
Hello friends, hope everyone is doing well! After a 6-month break, I'm pleased to be able to relaunch our poetry series, INSTINCTS, with a fantasy poem by Japanese writer, Yukari Kousaka. The Divine Beasts Yukari Kousaka The Azure Dragon shook the Kiyomizu Temple After one tail-wag, extinguished the forest The spiritual creature flew with great... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #27:‘Equipment Checklist (for a Yōkai P.I.’s Stakeout from behind a High Privacy Fence)’ by John H. Dromey
New haiku (with illustration) by John H. Dromey! Enjoy 🙂 Equipment Checklist (for a Yōkai P.I.’s Stakeout from behind a High Privacy Fence) John H. Dromey Sticking her neck out. The rokurokubi said Scratch the periscope John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #26: ‘Torrid Turnabout’ by John H. Dromey
Please enjoy this month's INSTINCTS poem, 'Torrid Turnabout' by regular contributor, John H. Dromey! Torrid Turnabout John H. Dromey Slay a ryu or go Out in a blaze of glory Goku’s plan backfired He turned tail and ran The dragon’s breath scorched the seat Of Goku’s trousers John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri,... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #25: ‘Defiance’ by Amrita Valan
This month's poetry feature is by the talented Amrita Valan! Amrita is also a contributor in Mythical Creatures of Asia and the upcoming Mythical Beings of Asia anthologies. Defiance Amrita Valan The Apsara most adamant about herVisitPetitioned mighty commander Indra in vainAboard Indian Spaceship SuvarnarekhaDocked at space station Swarga. waiting in the netherworld dimensionsA swarthy... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #24: ‘The Akashic Yatra’ by Sultana Raza (3/3)
Today, it's my pleasure to present Sultana Raza's final poem, ‘The Akashic1 Yatra2′. Read her first two poems here: #22: ‘Inter-dimensional Classified Ad’ by Sultana Raza (June 10th, 2021) #23: ‘Quantic Chance’ by Sultana Raza (June 14th, 2021) Which poem has been your favorite? Let me know in the comments. ~Kelly~ THE AKASHIC1 YATRA2 We could havesaved our skinby goingto... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #23: ‘Quantic Chance’ by Sultana Raza (2/3)
Continuing on with our featured poet this month, please enjoy Sultana Raza's second piece, 'Quantic Chance'. And if you missed her first poem last week, you can catch up here: #22: ‘Inter-dimensional Classified Ad’ by Sultana Raza (June 10th, 2021) QUANTIC CHANCE The young guyfound all the alphabetsrelated to his needsto solvethe enigma of the... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #22: ‘INTER-DIMENSIONAL CLASSIFIED AD’ BY SULTANA RAZA (1/3)
It's my pleasure to introduce a new poet to our INSTINCTS series, Sultana Raza. She has graciously shared a series of three interlinked poems, in both English and the original French! What a treat! The second and third poems will be published next Monday and Thursday. Please enjoy! INTER-DIMENSIONAL CLASSIFIED AD Lines found scribbled in... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #21: ‘Mebu’yan Writes a Letter to an Old Friend’ by Alton Melvar M Dapanas
A new poem today, by Filipino poet Alton Melvar M. Dapanas. Enjoy! Mebu’yan Writes a Letter to an Old Friend You are here with meas a daydream in a languagelong gone, like poetry, a birdsong, or a ritual to appease. Mapping you out in inconstant terrains—a looming mountain range,the still mangroves from a distance,the ninth... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #20: ‘No Man is an Island’ by Ismim Putera
Time for more poetry! This is the second piece by Malaysian poet, Ismim Putera. Read his previous poem, 'Si Tenggang the Sailor' and other excellent Asian speculative poems on the INSTINCTS Poetry page. No Man Is An Island Ismim Putera I am an islandI float using the air in my balloon-like bellylegs and arms straighten... Continue Reading →