Small Axe Books

So, it’s been a considerable time since i’ve posted anything, and the same holds true for everybody hereabouts. Just wanted to make a new year’s resolution to come out of my hibernation, and chat on a more regular basis on said forum. It’s been difficult for me over the last period, to get myself out of a strange, enforced exile, a shell which quite nigh smothered me. i had some idea of how to “get out there” with some stuff i’d been working on, but different set-backs and obstacles jumped up from the depths of my subconscious as well as the material world around me–but such is, as they say, “last year’s news.”

i’ve had some wonderful interactions with fellow mad artists and writers–notably Judith Haire, a fellow Chipmunka Publishing author–whom I’d encourage folks to check out–and my friend Jevon, a friend from the old Mad Tea Party here in Chicago, who has been putting up some great art on his own website. Check them both out–they’re links are on the “links” page.

I’ve been meaning to get in touch with some other great people, and do more work on other sections of our site here at Small Axe Books–and I resolve, new-year’s-wise, to get moving on those things. Check out especially the Solidarity page, which i will be putting up information on how to help Oscar Lopez, a great activist and political prisoner here in the United States for the cause of Puerto Rican Independence. Later today, I will include information there on how to let your voice be heard in helping his case. He comes up for parole this January, and as many signatures that can be gathered to support his release, the better!

Many things I could chat about, but this old contraption seems a little rusty, so i want to end it right here, by saying to everybody out there–WRITE STUFF! and, POST STUFF!! also, DRAW STUFF! and TAKE PICTURES! and PAINT! and MAKE MUSIC!!! This is not just my site, or the site of the folks who have posted lately–it is ALL OF OURS–MAD PEOPLE!!! Tell everybody about us, and let’s make this new year the craziest one yet!!!

Love y’all!

Sidney

Don’t Mind Me is published in paperback by Chipmunkapublishing http://www.chipmunkapublishing.co.uk and tells the story of my dysfunctional childhood and teenage depression, my abusive first marriage and experience of rape and domestic violence, my terrifying descent into psychosis, my experience of electro convulsive therapy and my recovery.  I wrote the book to help others as well as myself.  I have a website http://www.judithhaire.vpweb.co.uk

Don’t Mind Me is available from http://www.chipmunkapublishing.co.uk; http://www.amazon.com  or can be ordered in any bookshop.  You can read an extract from Don’t Mind Me at http://www.chipmunkapublishing.co.uk by clicking on Paperbacks and entering the book title in the search box.

(click on images to see properly sized)

(Click on the bottom two to see them properly sized)

1. false solomon’s seal, 2. trembling aspen (me), 3. vulture (you). the fourth thing is mixing metaphors, but it doesn’t get its own poem.

x

grit-mouth creep-sigg i slink
a clam slurping through sand
and it has not rained
dust-soil pulses up dry,
coats the throat.
work the jaw, squint
gasping through gills
slabs of air
layered, still,
and it has not rained

x

i am streaked with
soot
and dog slobber,
red-bellied turtle slime
and ax grime,

beet-juice bruises
stain my legs
and thick
summer snows of pollen
light sleepily onto my hair

x

mica rock words split and flake
and fall
and, wedged there,
bloom like spores in dark places