Mermaids and other noir poetry

JAN BROGAN: We feature a lot of different writers here at Jungle Red. Most of them are mystery writers, but not all.  It's August, so why not try something completely different. What haven't we posted much of? 


Poetry.

James Hutchings lives in Melbourne, Australia.  He specializes in short fantasy fiction. His work has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, fiction365 and Enchanted Conversation among other markets.  He blogs regularly at http://www.apolitical.info/teleleli.

When James Hutchings contacted me about his new e-book, The New Death and Others, a collection of dark fantasy short stories and poetry, I asked to see the poetry. As far as I'm concerned, there isn't enough accessible poetry in the world, or maybe, I don't make as much effort as I should to find the accessible poetry in the world. In either event,  I loved Jame's work and thought I'd share two of his poems.  The first, is especially, perfect for August.  







 Heard the Mermaids Singing

I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
T. S. Eliot.

I heard the mermaids singing
and wished I had not heard.
I heard the mermaids singing
a song that has no words.
I heard the mermaids singing
"Come, walk into the sea,"
and all the waves that break are like
white horses sent for me.

I heard the mermaids singing
and wished I could forget.
I heard the mermaids singing
and walked away, and yet
I heard the mermaids singing
and hear them singing still.
As water to a wall of sand
their singing to my will.

IF MY LIFE WAS FILMED

If my life was filmed, it would
go straight to DVD
and someone who was famous once
would have the role of me
and if five stars meant 'excellent'
you'd give it two or three
and most of those who rented it
would watch ironically.

Years later they would track me down
and do an interview.
They'd say "I heard you died," and I'd
say "Yeah, I heard that too."
"Is any of it fictional?"
"Perhaps a scene or two.
There weren't as many ninjas, but
the rest is mostly true."


The book, The New Death and Others, by James Hutchings touches on such topics as:: Death gets a roommate...An electronic Pope faces a difficult theological question...
A wicked vizier makes a terrible bargain...

There are 44 stories, 19 poems and "no sparkly vampires."Amazon:

You can find his poetry at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q8Q8DY

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92126

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-new-death-and-others-james-hutchings/1106579897

DriveThruFiction:

http://www.drivethrufiction.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=4616

If you have any questions about poetry, or James's apparent prejudice against sparkly vampires (and more importantly are muted vampires, okay?), he'll be checking in!