February 29, 2008
Week 133, May Leap Day Be With You All Year 'Round
Download and fold your very own Chris Toll mini-chap -- I'm Having Some Shape-Shifting Problems. It's free free FREE. But wait, there's more... He's thrown in an extra poem -- an outtake in fact -- ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SPECIAL OFFER.
Meanwhile, if you're in Baltimore, or close to it, this Saturday (March 1), you'd be a DAMN FOOL to miss Justin Sirois' Book Release reading at the i.e. reading series -- get the info below.
And meanwhile meanwhile, enjoy our song of the week from Liam Finn. Or more aptly, WE DARE YOU NOT TO ENJOY IT.
ALL CAPITALLY YOURS,
Rock Heals
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
February 21, 2008
Week 132 and Explication is Cheaper Still
Three short poems from someone who is Not Lisa Jarnot and music from Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea -- now 10 and one of the best albums ever recorded. No, seriously.
Consume. Digest. Mobilize.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
January 30, 2008
Week 131 Is Just as Effective as that Echinacea You're Taking
and Baltimore lives on
Pam Martin brings us our annual report from Sundance -- her second, our third, and the best so far by far. Sara Mumolo, from fine Oakland CA, balances it out with some poetry. And since "light activity" is the best path to getting over that flu that surely has you puking bedside like everyone else in the world this week -- do enjoy an amazing new bit of get-on-your-feet music from The Black Kids.
Keep your chin up kid. You're gonna make it. And holy crap, next Tuesday is Super Tuesday already... look out for some post-results reactions from the Robots!
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
January 23, 2008
Week 130 Is Unaffected by the Strikes
and we learned about trains, too
After a weekend of great reading after reading, we come back with a healthy crop of the poetry from Dustin Williamson. Not to mention, Ask a Robot is back for the first time in forever and ready to talk election hopes; and the song of the week comes from that Burial guy.
Get down. (Get down.)
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
January 16, 2008
Week 129 Is Liberal with the Ingredients
Narrow House be a nest of busy beavers and this week we bring you our latest -- from Joey Cashiola's multi-media chapbook (is that what we should say it is?) Lips of the Cherubim to the first issue of SUCCESS! -- a Narrow House Occassional edited by Lauren Bender and weighing with 73 pages of love from writers and artists you know or should know.
So enjoy a few nips -- poetry from Joey Cashiola and Richard Kostelanetz; artwork from David-Baptiste Chirot; a collaborative piece from Megan McShea and John Eaton -- and then follow the links and download the complete goodness.
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:00 AM
December 13, 2007
Week 128 Wishes It Had Feet So It Could Sport Those Voltron Reeboks With Its Four Best Friends
But isn't just about any picture in Buffalo going to look like December
Chris Nealon is a treasure whose treasureness is magnified further still by his coast-hopping, globe-trotting, elsewhere-teaching nomadic ways. So with each Yeti-rare sighting we swarm him with "whatcha been up to"s, and whilst making sure his ear tag is secure, extract precious poetry. Savor it, for like the McRib, we don't know when we will be able to get more.
And a video from Blaqstarr to remind you that Baltimore will fuck you up and/or save hip hop. Take heed!
We'll stop overwriting now.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
December 05, 2007
Week 127, You Say Modicum of Consistency; I Say Momentum
Hoboken brews a perfect December morning
We aren't afraid to love a whole lotta poetry from Changming Yuan. We ain't afraid to love the Manchester Orchestra. And we definitely ain't afraid capitalism. We may, however, have some trepidations with regards to Mr. T.
And don't sleep on the link below to an audio file of allies Michael Ball, Lauren Bender and Justin Sirois reading poetry and talking up a storm on WYPR (it's that thingy we mentioned last week).
'Tis the season, yo.
Posted by Rock Heals at 09:00 AM
November 28, 2007
Week 126 Is Molten and/or Molting
Look at that -- 2 new issues in 2 weeks. It's like it is 2006 all over again, only with hope of a new President of the United States peaking over a less distant horizon.
So... do enjoy an excerpt from a longer Frank Sherlock poem; a recommendation for a wonderful daily; and a hypnotic song on love (or maybe just about sexing) from the Animal Collective.
And don't miss Narrow House comrades Lauren Bender and Justin Sirois with Narrow House valued-ally Michael Ball as they stop in on "The Signal" an arts and culture radio program on Baltimore's WYPR.
Friday, November 30; at 12noon and again at 7pm
Listen here
And then check back next week and see if we can extend our streak to three.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
November 21, 2007
Week 125 Is from the Flames
'Tis the week for gorging oneself in these here United States of America. But we've been away so long, so we're offering a nice tasting menu to ease you back into our fantasia.
Poetry from Changming Yuan and Aaron Belz; a Bollywood video by someone who's name I would misspell if I knew it; and a great commercial for a little Baltimore event Narrow House is sponsoring with many other this Friday (Nov. 23) in Baltimore. Dig in!
A note on downloads: You may have noticed an "interruption in service" on our file downloads (songs, PDFs, etc.)... we're working on it and should have it resolved in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for bearing with.
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:00 AM
October 18, 2007
Week 124 Is Holy Shit Talking Eggs
Sacre bleu!
Sont toutes ces bonnes. We don't care if 2004 was the year of the mash-up -- good is good wherever it grows. From StSanders to DJ Lile to deer overrunning a New Jersey School.
Ceci est short, mais oui. Mais may we ask you to enjoi. Scroll down and roll out, notre petit chou-chou.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
October 17, 2007
Germany Is Concered
To the Editors,
Are you becoming a Thursday weekly instead of Wednesday?
I can't lie, I have a anxious citizenry on pins and needles.
Holler,
President Horst Köhler
---&&&---
Dear President Köhler,
Definitely not. We are just going through some staffing issues and find ourselves continuously behind. I'm sure you understand.
We hope to have this week's issue out tomorrow and to have our internal wrinkles ironed out real soon.
Thanks for your patience in the meantime -- and our heartfelt apologies for the stress we have caused your lovely nation.
We hope you can enjoy the archives in the meantime.
Love,
The R-to-the-H
Thx Trace for the staff photos -- I thought this one was best. You can see in his eyes how sorry he is we aren't on time, again.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:03 AM
October 10, 2007
Is Week 123
This is not my beautiful house
Back. Poetry from Gina Myers and
an intercepted memo from The Grope Group and
a few words on the new Radiohead album.
Go forth. Army strong.
Week 123 Contents
7.11.07, a poem from Gina Myers;
internal memorandum ten, intercepted from the Grope Group; and
Some words on the new Radiohead album (faux song of the week)
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
September 26, 2007
Week 122 and You and You and You
Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear
Another anisette. Anonymous brocades. Animal Collective. Amidst détente. Already entry. Announced falling. Asymptomatic ghost. After hirsute. Anyone ingenuity. Antebellum joblessness. Antiquated keystone. Andrew Lundwall. Any moon. Awesome nepotism. Anticipated oranges. Aggrivated penalties. Apt robbery. Actually standing. Ancillary tread. Amassed unwillingness. Anteroom viscosity. August xenophobe. Actuary yielding. Appropriated zig.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
September 19, 2007
Keep Your Eyes Forward, Week 121
The week that was nearly a month in the making.
No seriously, we're sorry. We'd like to say we were taking a luxurious French-style vacation -- lounging away August under the sun, in the sand, by the sea. But that was not to be.
Back with a vengeance we have a great short story from NYC-to-Baltimore transplant Michael Kimball. He's written so much in so many fine places -- get on it via Google. And we have the story in muchos des formats -- html, pdf, and audio. It's how we start trying to make it up to you, loyal reader.
And because we want to reiterate that Baltimore will fuck you up, our Song of the Week is from you'll-know-him-soon Jason Dove. What? He's playing a Narrow House-hosted night of music and poetry and the Baltimore Book Fest on September 28? Sweet. (flyer below)
And we wrap this yawtch with a trailer for the Brothers Cashiola's debut film Pitch and Tone avec an anecdotal tidbit from Justin Sirois.
It's a lot cuz we're sorry a lot. And we're redoubling efforts to not let you down again (between now and December).
official book fest site
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
September 14, 2007
22 Days Without New Stuff...
What We Did This Summer
Posted by Rock Heals at 02:17 PM
August 23, 2007
Week 120 Was Less Dependable Than Intended
the shade = 87 degrees
This week features some great poetry of Adam Robinson -- you can tell that Scooter was still on his mind and ours heading into the week. Just as interesting as his work, is the "outdoor journal" he runs Baltimore Is Reads -- basically posting/publishing poetry in random places around town. Very cool stuff.
And the song of the week is from The Besnard Lakes. And if you don't like it, than just maybe, we don't like you.
Go forth and love one another.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
August 15, 2007
Week 119 Rolls With the Punches
That's soccer. Mr. Beckham's MLS debut, in fact. And then there is baseball and candy below. It doesn't make any sense. It's August.
Yankee shortstop and legendary announcer Phil Rizzuto passed away earlier this week. And all the obits are sure to mention of a volume of poetry, O Holy Cow! The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto. To what you might think, WTF?. Tom Peyer and Hart Seely chopped up Rizzuto's oft-free associated game announcing into profound verses -- seemed like something you shouldn't miss out on, so this week we borrow and share.
And speaking of flaunting copyrights... the Song of the Week is from Velvet Underground. You may have heard of them.
Be well.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
August 08, 2007
The Humidity Will Make It Feel Like Week 118
We're back, but we have more to share than say... three poems from Kirstin Richardson for instance. And a song from The Kooks that'll brighten a summer day, so go buy it, throw it in the car and drive fast with the windows down.
And while you are getting out of the house (where out of the house = the DC metro area, fromAugust 8 and 26, 2007) be sure to catch "A Devil in His Own Words" -- a great staging by the Taffety Punk Theater Company (more info below).
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:00 AM
July 25, 2007
Week 117 Ponders the Metaphysics of Sundries
we'll have to do it again and again until n
Back in April a buncha folk did poem-a-day projects for that whole National Poetry Month thing -- posting them as they came to a unique blog for that purpose. A blog with a pre-determined endpoint. Like Jane's Addiction. Mel Nichols was telling us about it at a bar after a reading. Our boy Jamie Gaughran-Perez, in his age-honored tradition of "I should be writing more" self-flagellation, decided to pick it up of May and try to get the touch passed from month to month. In June it went to Adam Good. In July Ryan Walker assumed the mantel. To whom will he pass it? Only time will tell (where time = 6 days from now).
This week we grabbed a poem from each -- enjoy. And with each you'll find a link to each month-blog, too.
Enjoi, et rester accordé (à quelque chose).
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
July 18, 2007
Week 116 Puts the Vision Back in Division
He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me...
Who shall be divided among us? An incredible mist rolled in off the ocean and blanketed the town. From the dunes you couldn't see the water, but you could hear it. Around 5pm it burned off.
But for this, Rock Heals will keep it brief this week. First is a piece sent our way by the Grope Group published under a one-time license with all rights reverting to the Grope Group, Inc. following publication.
On its heels a drawing from J Hunington Chase who happens to go by "Hunt" in standard conversation. And our song of the week? "All Fires" from Swan Lake -- who've been occupying my CD player like the Allied Forces in 1945 Germany.
Beat the heat and who shouldst 'scape whipping?
Week 116 Contents
internal memorandum nine (after CH), from the Grope Group;
8.07.06 017, a drawing from J Huntington Chase; and
Song of the Week: "All Fires", from Swan Lake (the band, not the ballet)
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 PM
July 11, 2007
Week 115 and Will Baseball Save Healthcare?
take me out __________
This week celebrates the MLB All-Star with the first of the year's all-ball issues.
"Rock Heals," you may ask, "If I'm not a baseball fan, will I enjoy this week's issue?"
Why of course you will, Timmy. With great work from Aaron Lowinger, Michael Kelleher and Mike Grau, you will soon find that when one examines baseball, one examines one's very soul. You'll see the same of our Song of the Week from The Mountain Goats.
Dig in. Peanuts optional.
Week 115 Contents, all-ball
BB, from Aaron Lowinger;
Zombie Haiku (with Julio Franco), from Mike Grau;
Geometry, from Michael Kelleher;
Zombie Haiku (with Manny Ramirez), another from Mike Grau;
E7, a second from Aaron Lowinger; and
Song of the Week: The Mountain Goats
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
July 04, 2007
Week 114 On This, The Fourth Day of July
A little song and dance courtesy of Unk and Bob Fosse and Judi Cutrone? A couple poetic love notes from Geoffrey Gatza to his fellow Buffalonian? How else would one celebrate this weird mid-week speed bump of a day-off day?
Week 114 Contents
Tawrin Baker, a poem by Geoffrey Gatza;
Walk It Out, Fosse, a little video mash from Judi Cutrone; and
eight narratives out there (for Kevin Thurston), another from Geoffrey Gatza
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
June 27, 2007
Week 113 Has a Picture of San Diego Up Front
A little bit of everything this week with contributions from Rock Heals favorites W.B. Keckler and Ryan Walker. And you said the song of the week was from Low? Get on with it all and then go melt somewhere.
AND this Friday (6/29) is the Ric Royer/John Berndt CD+Book release party. Scroll for details and/or check out the Baltimore City Paper review.
WHOOPS!
We screwed up the titles on jAsON gLoVeR'S pieces a couple weeks back... the correct titles are:
Door Ring; and
Winter Scene Fauceto
And they should'a been attributed to Jason Spacestation. We really botched all that. Go find more from him / about him / and harass him on myspizzle.
Week 113 Contents
From the Desk of Ryan Walker;
Graveside, a poem from W.B. Keckler
Song of the Week from Low;
From the Desk of Ryan Walker (2); and
a reminder flyer for the June 29 Ric Royer/John Berndt Book/CD Release Party
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
June 20, 2007
Week 112 Is Like Keanu Reeves In My Own Private Idaho
All wrongs melt to the Earth before my pink, plush glory.
We were going to make light of our extended absence by getting our in-house robot to roleplay as Rock Heas and then grill it mercilessly. But when we turned it on it said, "i'm afraid of zombie haiku, this conversation is so interesting that i hate that." The morale of the story? Everybody hurts.
So suffice to say, we are back to get in touch with our adoring fan. And intend to do it big.
First, Joey Cashiola sent these great polaroid + poems that reminded us of why we got into this racket in the first place.
And persistent badgering of Ryan Walker for a review of the recent and great Chris Toll-Buck Downs split-book resulted in a review of the recent and we-haven't-read-it-yet-but-he-did-and-thinks-it's-hot chap from Mel Nichols.
More you say? More? The Song of the Week is from the Broken Social Scene, and if you have managed to go this long without hearing, I worry for you. For everyone else, worth a reminder.
Not to mention the fact that the Narrow House empire is about to unleash a fabulous Ric Royer-John Berndt book-CD with a release party on June 29 in Baltimore and events to follow worldwide (or at least East-and-West Coast-wide). We're sure to have more related cool in this space soon -- in the meantime scroll on, scroll on for the flyer.
There is so much great work at RH-HQ right now -- if we'd stop doing all this vacationing, and working, and traveling for work, and chilling, and playing music, and reading out-of-character spiritual texts, and listening to music, and skateboarding, and eating, and sleeping we'd be getting it all out to you. Instead, we hoard. But we're on it man, nous promettons.
Week 112 Contents
Sky Log (August 29), from Joey Cashiola;
A review of Mel Nichols' The Beginning of Beauty, from Ryan Walker
Sky Log (September 3), again from Joey Cashiola;
Song of the Week for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl (Broken Social Scene); and
Sky Log (November 11), the last from Joey Cashiola
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
May 31, 2007
Week 111 Was a Bad Boy
Please calculate ratio of nature to nurture based on available data.
Short and sweet is both short and sweet. Artwork by Jason Spacestation; a pome from Mike Grau; song of the week by The Pipettes.
But this is also one of two or three weeks of actual Spring weather you will get this year... so read up and get out. Squander this weather and you lose out on accumulation of "back when we could go outdoors without protective suits" stories for your grandchildren.
Week 111 Contents
A Door Ring, artwork from Jason Spacestation;
[4], a poem from Mike Grau;
Song of the Week: The Pipettes; and
Winter Scene Fauceto, another piece of art from Jason Spacestation
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:00 AM
May 23, 2007
Это Есть Песни Отпуск (and Not Week 111 Just Yet)
We sometimes think Rock Heals is more Tony Soprano than Tony Soprano.
We'd hoped to have one in the can to roll out today from vacation. Alas one is not in the can despite so much awesome in the wings. But fear not, this is not the 4-week French vacation we wish it was. See you in 7 days.
Posted by Rock Heals at 09:17 AM
May 16, 2007
Week 110 Finds Itself Midst Flood
Click the image for all its glory.
You wouldn't believe the stream of good stuff coming our way. Where "stream of" is really a "trickle" but is being compared favorably to the average rate of submission-receiving. Do your part in maintaining said flow: submit at rockheals dot com
And so, this week we share a quiet and beautiful video from Katherine A. Gorman. What's more she's promised more to come this summer.
Add to that one of two killer pomes we got from Brad Liening, who kicks the jams within a surprisingly straight-ahead traditional approach to poultry. Not sure if he is or has MFA'd it up, but this should remind you to give a few hours a year to those poets and that poetry that you've previously classified as, "come on, are you kidding?"
Round it out with the Song of the Week from Cloud Cult and you have yourself a party!
Week 110 Contents
Conversation (a video), from Katherine A. Gorman;
Hate to Say, poetry from Brad Liening; and
Song of the Week: Summer Jam For the Broken-hearted, Pining and/or Unrequited
Posted by Rock Heals at 06:30 AM
May 09, 2007
Week 109 Is Mute in a Fashion
This week we're featuring a selection of poems from Changming Yuan. We'd never run into him or his work before, but he's published just about everywhere it seems across a number of countries. But what we love most about his bio he sent is how it opens, "Changming Yuan authored three books before moving to Canada." Now, y'all know we've been loving on some Canada lately and will continue to do so, but that's just great. Though I guess that could be taken as a ringing endorsement?
COME TO CANADA
We Will Rid You of That Poetry Problem
Read and enjoy. Sorry, no song this week, but that'll be back in our next star-studded issue on newsstands next Wednesday.
Week 109 Contents
Three poems from Changming Yuan
Siamese Stanzas: On the Highway
Earthling Calling
Elm's Agenda in Autumn
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
May 02, 2007
Week 108 Is Available for A Short Questions and Answers Period
Yes, the ducks are back.
Justin Sirois has been writing like a madman, shaming peers far and wide. He happens to be part Narrow House's juicy core. But I say fuck off to your vanity press catcalls because what he serves up this week is just that good. And the Song of the Week is from Blonde Redhead. And we got an email from a robot... oh shit!
Oh yeah, and you know we love some boxing. Consider yourself reminded that Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather may put on the best fight of the decade this Saturday, May 5.
Until then, excelsior!
Week 108 Contents
we'll stare at this until it speaks, a poem from Justin Sirois;
Song of the Week from Blonde Redhead;
not a labor movement – a thief in the Torrent, also from Justin; and
ATTN! from Support Team Robot
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
April 25, 2007
Week 107: Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
Je suis le canari.
When we were in Buffalo recently, we met a buncha swell Cannucks, and one of them was this Rob Read fellow. He does many things, but among them are these Daily Treated Spam poems that we get by daily (duh) by email. Thought we'd share some. There is also a collection of the first few years of the project in print: O SPAM, POAMS: Selected Daily Treated Spam 2003 - 2005 (Book Thug, 2005), find out more about it all.
And we round out glorious Week 107 with an visual work, including some from W.B. Keckler, and a remix of Metric from MSTRKRFT as our Song of the Week.
We're working on our first Rock Heals All Baseball issue, but no promises on when we'll get that wrapped. And we do have a fair use issue on its way that would have more appropriately matched this weeks title, but just not ready yet.
Week 107 Contents
4/2 Daily treated spam: Cialis soft just for you, from Rob Read;
Objects Also, an illustration from W.B. Keckler;
4/4 Daily treated spam: That’s interesting!, is another from Rob;
2 Photos: DC-Baltimore;
4/17 Daily treated spam: do myself repeater, again from Rob;
4/23 Daily treated spam: No herself throat, is the last from Rob; and
Song of the Week is one of many MSTRKRFT remixes
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
April 18, 2007
Week 106 Has Three Gears
In case you're feeling a little dark and dreary like us right now, we wanted to open with a little Bjork and Diddy nugget that found its way into our little hands.
And it's been a while since we've heard from The People’s Peaceable Assembly Line. Many worried they may be locked up somewhere. Or perhaps they were stuck in a security line with their shoes in hand. Wherever they are hiding, they had access to email long enough to get us the missive we share this week.
Song of the what? Check out a little ditty sung by Bertolt Brecht to wrap up this week's installment of your favorite don't-call-us-a-blog site o' miscellany.
And on the horizon? Your submissions and other awesome. Get on it!
Week 106 Contents
Bjork and Ditty Sitting in a Tree;
total information awareness, from The People’s Peaceable Assembly Line; and
Song of the Week: Mack the Knife, from Bertolt Brecht
Posted by Rock Heals at 06:30 AM
April 11, 2007
Week 105 Restores Earth Elementals
Time for baseball, people.
Spring is here, but damn if a couple nights of frost didn't wreak havoc on the Rock Heals Imperial Gardens. Crap that.
So while we were inside watching so many former Red Sox where uniforms that said something other than "Red Sox" on them, we decided to touchbase with our friends for a little Ask the Robots.
Let's heap onto that an old classic from Okkervil River for our song of the week; and a zombie haiku from the always fabulous Tyler Peterson.
We've got a heap of great submissions to get through, but we'd love another heaping. And some more caffeine.
xoxo,
Mom
Week 105 Contents
Ask a Robot: Iraq Revisited;
Song of the Week from Okkervil River; and
Zombie Haiku from Tyler Peterson
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
April 04, 2007
This Is Week 104, But Jesselton is Kota Kinabalu
This is the skyline, and Kawaputra says it is free to be used.
Friday we ("the NH Empire") dragged our undersized white asses up to the Buffalo Small Press Fair -- buying, selling and trading, spreading the words and mesmerizing the Buffalo Poetry Gods with our honey-tongues. Longtime friend of the NH Empire Kevin Thurston and new ally Chris Fritton turned this mutha out. We'll be plugging the hell outta the 2008 Fair in 8 months or so.
We'll have much more from the fair in weeks to come, but the following list, while unrelated to the fair comprises money, shared herein for replenish your spiritual capital:
Evolution Markets, by Greg Fuchs
Song of the Week: "No Way Out," Love of Diagrams
Zombie Haiku (Mr. Ball's World), from Michael Ball; and
Back to Rehab for a Refresher with Amy Winehouse
Spend spend spend as if your soul has no bounds for tomorrow we'll all be rich as shit (and/or dead).
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
March 28, 2007
Week 103 Is the Root Cause of Countless Personal Bankruptcy Filings
A crazy week ahead. The Narrow House hive is going to divide and conquer. One team will head north for the Buffalo Small Press Fair (March 30 - 31). A second will keep it real with performances and more at the 4th Annual Transmodern Festival in Baltimore (March 29 - April 1). Look out for us and our wares (especially in Buffalo) -- lot's of free stuff, no doubt. This is a takeover people!
So now's your chance to get ahead -- drink deep of this week's font voluntarily -- we will notice, and we will remember when rolling out the new world order.
We gotz Bob Mezewski's fabulous look inside a hospital near you, complete with AARRGHH! photos; a song of the week from Amy Winehouse that takes on a Betty Ford Center near you; and a Zombie Haiku from Ryan Walker that touches on that age old question in preventative medicine... does the protection outweigh protection from zombies?
I think this all adds up to some kind of health & medicine-facing theme?
Your co-pay? $0.00
Week 103 Contents
Song of the Week: Rehab, by Amy Winehouse (on video);
Emergency Room, a poem by Bob Mezewski accompanied by photos from others; and
A Zombie Haiku, from Ryan Walker.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:07 AM
March 21, 2007
Week 102 Won't Ask You for the Time of Day
Spring is coming! Spring is coming!
Any other year, the mild winter would have been seen as a boon -- with chance after chance to trade coat for jacket. But with climate change on every mind, no warm day was without a little voice inside saying, "This is a harbinger of your doom."
But now it is actually Spring now and warm weather can be shamelessly enjoyed once again. Mix up some palomas, take your plate outside and enjoy. But first...
We've been remiss in sharing Zombie Haiku -- and since studies have shown that the coming season carries the highest incidence of zombie encounters (35% over Summer, the next highest) it seemed the perfect time to catch up and share work from Tyler Peterson, Mark Wallace and Nic Coivert.
And add to that a Song of the Week from Idiots! that's perfect for shaking your moneymaker, singing while driving with the windows down and all the other staples of Spring.
Week 102 Contents
Lament (A Zombie Haiku) from Tyler Peterson;
Content (A Zombie Haiku) from Mark Wallace;
Zombie Haiku from Nic Coivert; and
Song of the Week: Prime Meridian (from Idiots!)
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
March 14, 2007
Week 101 Is Not a Core Requirement
This photo was taken next to a green screen
With that whole 100-issue warm up thing behind us, we're ready to kick the shit outta somebody. A new look. New ideas. New stuff. We just keep on coming...
This week mixes selections from Ken Rumble's new book Key Bridge (Carolina Wren Press, 2007) with our song of the week from the Gena Rowlands Band.
Eat it up, this shit's weekly, yo!
Week 101 Contents
from Key Bridge, Ken Rumble;
Song of the Week: Love, For Want of a Lesser Word, from the Gena Rowlands Band; and then
more from Key Bridge, Ken again
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
March 07, 2007
Week 100 Exists in the Belly of a Lion in the Belly of a Golden Pig
This week is devoted to a proverbial boatload of awesome from K. Lorraine Graham. Because Lorraine can write some shit. Because Lorraine has travelled extensively. Because Lorraine speaks many languages. Because Lorraine has a new CD out. Because Lorraine can photosynthesize, read minds, fly and is just better than the rest of us.
Listen, read, listen, read, read, listen before she melts your brain.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
February 28, 2007
Week 99 Is Carried by Its Brother and Is Less Than Heavy
Rock Heals makes a triumphant return with a fan-fuckin-tastic piece from Bob Massey -- the latest in our series of correspondence with this East Coast-to-L.A. transplant. It's longer than what you'll usually find here, but reference fan-fuckin-tastic above for explanation.
And sure if we weren't staffed with a bunch'a renobs, we would'a had this piece up last week as a timely run-up to the Oscars. In atonement, we've donated our Rock Heals paychecks to the Britney Spears Fan Club's "Give Her a Sec, Jeez, Let a Girl Collect Herself" image campaign. We're sure they'll use that check for $0.00 wisely.
And after Bob's piece, Cheryl DeWolfe's latest Zombie Haiku is a sweet sweet mint on your pillow.
Eat it up beetches. Issue 100 next week.
Week 99 Contents
Ignore The Deluxe Soundstage Behind the Curtain, from Bob Massey; and
My Zombie Parents, from Cheryl DeWolfe
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
February 21, 2007
This is Not Really Week 99
I need one of those. Gimme!
Oh Week 99 we aren't ready yet for your love. Please oh please wait one more week while we assemble our proverbial shit.
In the meantime, y'all, continue on for some nuggets that have recently crossed out path. We spent a lot of time with those crazy FLARF KIDZ!(tm) this weekend, and it may have nuttered a few bolts.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
February 14, 2007
Week 98 Skips the Saintly Tradition, This Time
'Reagan National Airport is closed -- they ran out of chemicals for clearing the runway.'
Possible discussions include Ana Nicole Smith, the delectable free-fall of the Duke men's basketball team, Iraq, identity theft, Nature vs. Western Civilization, Oscar nominations and win predictions, et c.
When you need a break from all the discussing check out the latest we have to offer: Alessandro Porco mixing it up, Lauren Bender throwing down a gorgeous bit o' the painting, J.S. Lohr serving some Zombie Haiku, and of course a little illustrative love from Jon Lee.
In the coming weeks we'll be checking in with some robots re the biggering pool of candidantes presidentiale, sharing more sets of faves, and no doubt a lot of poetry and conspicuous love.
Week 98 Contents
In Which: A Short Novel of Ethical Pornography from Alessandro Porco;
A painting we really dig from Lauren Bender; and
Special Friend (A Zombie Haiku) from J.S. Lohr
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
February 08, 2007
Week 97 Is Audio and Puts You There (for kari edwards)
for kari edwards
On January 27, 2007, a number of folks got together in Baltimore to pay tribute to kari edwards (who passed away December 2, 2006) -- reading her work, reading work for her, sharing stories of remembrance. Listening to others read her work, work for her and share stories of remembrance. Talk to one another. Share food and drink. And live on but remembering.
Justin recorded the event and we share it here. Hope you'll get something from it -- as we surely did.
Thanks to Michael Ball for pulling the event together, CA Conrad for hosting the evening, all the readers (named throughout), and all those who came, listened, and paid tribute. And thanks to kari for all the writing and all the experiences, we'll carry it forward.
And headsup, the recording volume is a little low.
Week 97 Contents
(all audio)
Introduction, Michael Ball;
Emcee's Kick off, CA Conrad;
Chris Nealon reads from from iduna and others;
CA Conrad reads a remembrance from Frank Sherlock;
Jamie Gaughran-Perez reads three of kari's poems;
Miriam Stewart reads poems for kari;
"Embarassment of Riches" by Tim Peterson, read by Conrad;
Mel Nichols reads from iduna and obedience;
CA Conrad reads from Bharat jiva;
Rod Smith weaves pieces from a day in the life of p. and obedience;
Michael Ball reads from obedience; and
CA Conrad wraps with a piece from diary of lies
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:30 AM
January 31, 2007
Week 96 Examines the Migratory Patterns of Hollywood Tribes
We had a wicked time at Sundance last year. So when we heard the lovely Pam Martin would be braving the throngs of brand-new No Face parkas and weather-endangered body enhancements, we asked her to send along her notes. She did. We share.
And in a rare moment of Rock Heals Thematic Unity, we bring you a Zombie Haiku from Daniel Bradley, dealing with similar subjects.
Do enjoy. And look out next week for audio of the recent i.e. reading tribute to kari edwards hosted by CA Conrad and with readings from a buncha great folks including Chris Nealon, Miriam Stewart, Mel Nichols, Rod Smith, and Michael Ball.
Week 96 Contents
A Very Special Sundance, from Pam Martin; and
Zombie in Hollywood, from Daniel Bradley
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
January 24, 2007
Week 95 Looks to the Year Ahead
¿Cómo dices "the things you fear"?
Last night the President of the United States delivered his State of the Union address. Who -- but Rock Heals -- would you expect gather the response of the Robot-American Community?
But first, Kemeny Babineau sent us an excerpt from his recent book VDB Wordlist(BookThug 2007). The introduction to the book notes, "In 1634 Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert traveled with two other Dutchmen into the Mohawk and Oneida territory of the Six Nations in upper New York State. He kept a journal and made an extensive wordlist. Iroquoian linguist Gunther Michelson added an English and modern Mohawk translation." When he's not pre-occupied with blowing your mind, Kemeny runs the small Laurel Reed Books in the so-very-fair Canada-land.
And wherever we may wander, Zombie Haiku be not far behind. Bring it David Durst. Bring it.
Week 95 Contents
from VDB Wordlist, poetry from Kemeny Babineau;
Ask a Robot:The State of Our Union; and
Zombie Haiku from David Durst
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
January 17, 2007
Week 94 Is Not Looking For Trouble
I thought I saw a pussycat
Winter is finally upon us? Stop wasting your time on introductions and get to the meat of the matter... a new Hot House 5; a poem from oft-contributing W.B. Keckler; a Zombie Haiku from the great Thomas L. Vaultonburg.
Week 94 Content
Hot House 5 for the New Year;
How It Claims Us, a poem from W.B. Keckler; and
Zombie Haiku, from Thomas L. Vaultonburg
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
January 11, 2007
Week 93 Notes, Surely There Is Something You Regret
Rock Heals: I called to ask what you thought about our new issue?
Yet to be Named Robot: not so much, but i have you been up to lately?
RH: We've been out collecting a bunch of great stuff, actually. This week we've got an audio recording of a great new poem by David Franks -- you know him?
YtbNR: that's great! what you are trying to say.
RH: Um OK, and we have the next installment of Zombie Haiku, this one from Gopal Lahiri, cool stuff huh?
YtbNR: i'm graduating from high school very smart, i think.
RH: Anyway... we'll talk again soon.
YtbNR: anyway, be well. we'll talk again soon.
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
January 10, 2007
Week 93, Where Are You?
| Of course we resolved to publish on time this year. And of course the only constant of any new year resolution is that it will be broken. Rock Heals will be available tomorrow though with a new poem from David Franks (including audio!), zombie haiku, and all the love you've come to know and respect. Any of the following contributed to the perfect mess that delayed publication: We appreciate both your patience and your continuing patronage, The Management Please be distracted by another of Jon Lee's lovely illustrations. |  |
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:25 AM
January 03, 2007
Week 92 and he was buried him into a covenant of them.
See corny symbolic photo above.
Crap, we are getting 2007 off on the wrong foot with late publishing... but only hours late so that's ok, right?
So let's get on with it and get the new new out the door. We look back to a slew of great zombie haiku -- they run deep, they run funny, but most zombie don't run at all. And we look forward in asking for some Robot New Year's Resolutions.
Get on it and look out for a lot of great stuff in the year to come.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
December 27, 2006
Week 91 Does Not Recognize Your Timepiece
We note that Pengo is the only ice we've seen this winter.
And I believe we invite certain doom.
This is the week we recharge our batteries, reflect on the year past, and think about the last things. Voulez-vous rechargée avec nous?
Sit on down and enjoy some looking and reading and thinking whilst you sup on our boundless outpouring d'enerjoi. First a visual poem from Helen White, all the way from Belgium. FOR YOU! And then a poem from Alessandro Porco. All the way from Buffalo. ALSO FOR YOU!.
Random French fact that may not be true: French playground jokes utilize Belgians and french fries in the way 70s U.S. playground jokes utilized Polish people and money. If you find yourself stranded on a French playground, surrounded by hostile French playgrounders, dig into your bag of Polish jokes and substitute "Belgian" for "Pollack." Yes, you will be offending someone somewhere, but at least you'll survive to apologize. A good example would be the "round room / penny-in-the-corner" one.
Week 91 Contents
like music is like light print, a visual poem from Helen White; and
The Minutes (Pt. 2), by Alessandro Porco
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 PM
December 20, 2006
Week 90 Is All About the Love
Feel it, people
We understand that you are feeling sluggish and not getting much done. We know that the shortened days have you depressed and struggling. We feel your piled-on stress with family, work and obligations after obligation.
So have a little love on us. Or more exactly, read Lauren Bender's poems that show some love for a friend of hers. And pick up on said love by proximity. Like collateral damage -- but all warm and cozy instead of ouchy and bloody.
The whole set of 'em are called:
+++
(for a.g.)
- - -
Enjoi and hang in there kitten!
(And thanks again to Jon Lee for spot illustrations)
Week 90 Contents
+++
(for a.g.)
- - -
by Lauren Bender
(for a.g.)
"anchor." (for a.g.)
"ANCHOR!" (for a.g.)
"[ang-ker]" (for a.g.)
"anger" (for a.g.)
"Said 'anchor.'" (for a.g.)
"Say, Anchor?" (for a.g.)
"[ ]"
(for a.g.)
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
December 13, 2006
Week 89 Celebrates (a) Life
Saturday before last (December 2), we lost a fine person in kari edwards, who passed away on her 52nd birthday. We won't pretend to have been some close friend of kari's, but we met her earlier this year and had followed her work long before that.
Never afraid of a cliche, we want to take this time to celebrate her life. And her writing which gave more than she ever owed. Keep on keeping on, only a little better.
Week 89 Contents
kari edwards from obedience (audio); and
for kari, from Michael Ball
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
December 06, 2006
Week 88 Was Handed a Mandate to Refute Common Myths
never work
Tis the season of dressing appropriately. Heed our warning.
This week brings three pages(?)... pieces(?) from Daniel f. Brady. Something about these stuck in our craw a little, so we kept on reading and re-reading. Maybe it was the gender politics. Whatever it was it made us think. And thinking is good. And maybe you are, too.
thanks Jon Lee for the end-piece illustration
Week 88 Contents
Three Poems from Daniel f. Bradley's T=I=D=Y language
haven't changed the developing world...
integrity is a hard show when found...
just before our hot bubble walked past...
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
November 29, 2006
Week 87 Is Back, Bad, etc.
This is how we do
Late fall, indian summer and swollen bellies. Twenty-siz shopping days until Christmas. Colds and flu.
Chris Toll lobs three takes on that classic little love song we call the sonnet. We love him. He loves you.
Love, love, love.
Week 87 Contents
All Chris Toll. All Sonnets.
My Apotheosis
Strange World (I'm Too Sad); and
Lost Moon
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
November 22, 2006
We Give Thanks Not Week 87
November, Patterson Park (Baltimore)
Have a good Thanksgiving, or a great fourth week of November if you are outside the U.S. We're off to bundle up against the cold and do thankful things.
Do take a gander through the archives for 86 previous weeks of lovely.
See you soon.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:03 AM
November 15, 2006
Week 86 Does It's Best to Not Mention 2008... D'oh
Good evening, Charm City (thx to Trace for the photog)
Been a crazy couple of weeks 'round here -- and we're sure you've been going through the same wherever you are. Unrest, change, success, failure, hope, pain, more of the same? Our best advice is to buckle in, make sure your blinkers and brakelights are working, and roll on.
Up ahead you'll find what the robots think we should do in Iraq in a new installment of Ask a Robot. And once you're past that take a look to your left for a new piece from the The People’s Peaceable Assembly Line. It'd been a long time since we'd heard from them. We were starting to worry.
Don't forget your personal items and we'll see you back here soon.
Week 86 Contents
Ask a Robot: What should we do in Iraq?; and
Letters to Norm: Karma Bomb, from The People’s Peaceable Assembly Line
Posted by Rock Heals at 08:30 AM
November 08, 2006
We Found Ourselves Surrounded by Week 85
It's just feet on pavement, yo
Did you vote? Are we glued to the projections? When you read this all the precincts where the computers didn't crash will have been settled.*
What does all this voting make us think of? Zombies! To hell with that hate them because they're popular knee-jerk. They're popular because they're relevant. And so... Marus Kyd. Point. Cheryl DeWolfe. Click. Diana Manister. Rinse. Blake Shoen. Repeat. Ric Royer. As desired. Apply illustrations from Jon Lee liberally, throughout.
*Except for areas where law requires a recount when candidates are separated by less than 1% of the vote.
Week 85 Contents
Zombie Haiku with Flowers, from Marcus Kyd;
Cats and Dogs, from Cheryl DeWolfe;
Are We Not Men, from Diana Manister;
Zombie Haiku with Blake, from Blake Shoen; and
Flesh, from Ric Royer
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
November 01, 2006
Week 84 Is All Up In Garrett Caples
circling Baltimore (thx Trace for the great photo)
This week is a Garrett Caples spectacular! Tracks from his new CD, his track by track commentary for the full album, a reprint of one of his earlier poems and musings on one of his many collaborators.
So don't let us hold you up, get right to it and enjoy.
(Full disclosure: Narrow House put out Garrett's CD, and Rock Heals is a Narrow House weekly. But we're doing all this because we think the album is killer.)
Week 84 Contents
Surrealism's Bad Rap by Garrett Caples, (info + audio);
Same Mesa Boogie Woogie, one of his poems;
The Director's Cunt: Mrs. Garrett in Surrealism's Bad Rap, his track-by-track breakdown; and
Pop on the Easel: the Art of Jeff Mellin, a piece he wrote about one of his collaborators
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
October 25, 2006
Week 83 Is For Striped Pants People
Ryan found this bitty little frog; we, in turn, stole this picture
Hey U.S. citizen readers*, that voting thing is coming up -- don't forget. But while you wait, we caught Megan McShea at the i.e. reading series in Baltimore a little while back -- and managed to snag a great one from her. We've been remiss in updating you / telling you what you should care about, so we've thrown in a Hot House 5. Some hotness coming just over the horizon in the form of many things Garret Caples (audio, poetry, stuff-stuff, oh my!) and all sorts of drawings from Jon Lee to accompany oodles of Zombie Haiku. So do come back.
* Non-U.S. citizen readers, thank you for bearing with our general belligerence.
Week 83 Contents
IV., a poem from Megan McShea; and
Hot House 5 for October Cometh, by Jamie Gaughran-Perez
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
October 18, 2006
Week 82 Keeps Its Friends Close
You never know when it will happen
Some times we fuck you up short. Julie Ann Strand hails from Milwaukee and drops in with something small and delicious. Milwaukee has treated us well lately. Joseph Young falls in line next with something smaller but no less delicious... not to mention zombie-fortified. Dress in layers. It's getting chilly.
Week 82 Contents
accessories, a poem by Julie Ann Strand; and
After Issa (a zombie haiku), from Joseph Young
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
October 11, 2006
Week 81 Has Learned to Live With the Bomb Before
Life on Harford Road under the specter of a nuclear North Korea
It appears Kim Jon-Il is ready will to proceed with his nuclear aspirations -- flying boldly in the face of the robots Rock Heals spoke with last week. While I'm sure they are prepared to comment on the developments, we felt it best to lay off them a little while and let them gather their thoughts.
And so what must our readers do to be good citizens? Shop! Watch TV! Read!
Daniel F. Bradley and Kevin Thurston drop science. And Letha Kirby is up to something. We're not sure what. And we think she's a robot. No really we do. Then we wrap with zombie haiku from Monsieur J.S. Lohr.
Remember, duct tape and plastic sheeting is the new duck and cover.
Week 81 Contents
Academic Rigour 2, a collaboration from Daniel F. Bradley and Kevin Thurston;
In the Newborn's Weight and Possible Death Oven, from Letha Kirby; and
Opportunity (A Zombie Haiku), from J.S. Lohr
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
October 04, 2006
Week 80 Warns That The Silver Lining May Be Irradiated
Every day is like sunny (in California)
Earlier this week we were discussing this killer new poem Michael Provost had sent our way. We mentioned that we just couldn't get away from all this art that dealth with the war. Was Rock Heals becoming a war-art haus? He noted, "when one stifles dissent, it comes out in art."
Often we find that being a writer is born of being generally slow on the uptake re the obvious, and then being in utter awe of said obvious when finally coming around to it. How many poems, stories, novels even, could you rewrite with the statement, "Holymotherfuckingshit I can see now that the sun is up!" without losing too much in the translation.
Meanwhile, our second installment of Ask The Robots marries this whole "war thing" with a love of the well-coiffed by polling the forced-worker set on the latest from North Korea.
We wrap with a little blues in this week's Zombie Haiku from Thomas L. Vaultonburg.
And next week we'll solve World Hunger.
Week 80 Contents
Ordinarily, subject is prepared for a rendition, a poem from Michael Provost
Ask a Robot: How Would You Respond to a North Korean Nuclear Test?; and
Got Those Zombie Blues from Thomas L. Vaultonburg
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
September 27, 2006
Week 79 Was a Good Year
Don't be disoriented. If this photo appears blurry it's because it was taken
when fewer people hated us.
Raymond Hsu counts (from Anglo-French cunter, counter, from Latin computare, from com- + putare to consider).
Ken Rumble reads (from Old English r[AE]dan; akin to Old High German rAtan to advise, Sanskrit rAdhnoti he achieves, prepares).
A simple question is posed (from Vulgar Latin *pausare, from Late Latin, to stop, rest, pause, from Latin pausa pause).
We'll make sure to get back to zombies next week. For real.
Week 79 Contents
Concordance, by Raymond Hsu;
from St. Apples (audio), Ken Rumble; and
A Word from Our Sponsors
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
September 20, 2006
Week 78 Will Take Names at a Later Date
WE LOVE FALL. A few days back Joseph Young sent us these gorgeous little poems -- and we know we had to get them in front of you damn quick. But we don't recommend reading them quick. Meanwhile, Buck Downs, one of the last people on earth to use snail mail, sent us a found poem. We took some liberties with it and then jammed it between Joseph's poems. And then we have a Zombie Haiku (from Mike Edwards), now illustratively enhanced by John Shanchuk. We think you'll dig... and more to come. All this shit kills.
Get those submissions rolling -- writing, artwork, recipes, doodles, videos, whatever... Remember, if it is good then we gotz room for it.
submit at rockheals dot com
Week 78 Contents
Bijou, a poem from Joseph Young;
Look Mom, I Found a Poem, from Buck Downs;
Music, another from Joseph; and
An Age-Old Story (Zombie Haiku), from Mike Edwards w/illustration by John Shanchuk
Posted by Rock Heals at 07:00 AM
September 13, 2006
Week 77 Says POW to the People
Thx Ursula for the great cover that reminded us of a great song.
We love Fall. We love that yesterday David Wilson rode into Rock Heals HQ on the back of a majestic white mare to hand deliver his fabulous manuscript on the best of the Telluride Film Festival -- and that we share with you today. We love that Michael Provost sent us a freakin' motherload of Zombie Haiku back when -- and that we likewise share with you today. We love Fall. Praise Jesus. Amen.
Week 77 Contents
Hot House 5 from 9,000 ft (The Telluride Film Festival), from David Wilson; and
Zombies Are Stupid (no. 15 of 17), by Michael Provost
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
September 06, 2006
Week 76 Is Something of a Looker
Giant dogs? Romantic ideals? Just a little mist?
We've taken our long weekends and now it's back to labor.
But we'll do our best to ease you in to easing into Fall. Starting with the follow up / second part to Ira Joel Haber's Fuck This AIDS Shit Already doodles of last week.
And because multi-parted pieces from/by/about visual artists is the new black, we bring you the first part of Jon Lee's interview with D.C.-based painter Matt Sesow.
And that's that, all right! Zombie haiku... interviews... all kinds of good shit on the horizon.
Week 76 Contents
Goddamn This AIDS Shit Already, from Ira Joel Haber; and
Slash Circle Slash: Drinking with Matt Sesow (Part 1), an interview by Jon Lee.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
August 30, 2006
Week 75 Makes Some Noise for the Underdogs
Were you the least of our troubles...
We start off with a portfolio of doodles (his term) from Ira Joel Haber. AIDS has been in the news a few times lately -- discussion of the one-pill regiment and unreal levels of HIV infection among African-Americans. Amazing how long it'd been since we'd heard a story that mentioned AIDS without mentioning Africa or the "developing world."
And we launch our new feature Ask The Robots -- where we pose today's pressing questions to our servants-to-be-overlords. This week, the one-year anniversary of Katrina is on our mind -- check it out and look forward to more in the future.
Next week there should be music, madness and more. Celebrate Labor. Start school. Get ready for fall.
Week 75 Contents
Fuck This AIDS Shit Already, drawings by Ira Joel Haber; and
Ask the Robots: Does George Bush Care About Black People?
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
August 23, 2006
Week 74 Remembers the Quiet Things
the last thing you will see...
Were we in France, everyone would be on vacation. Unfortunately we're not and people seem content to be blowing shit up, crashing planes, shooting each other, and running the rat race. We are not immune to these East Coast urges.
For weeks you've seen amazing drawings from in these "pages," and now we throw down with his W.B. Kecklerwritten work. Do enjoy. Or if you are French person and not in France because you are on vacation, then enjoi.
Italy is close to France (relatively) and is home to Claudio Parentela who brings another of his wonderful paintings. We haven't decided whether the word we're looking for is disturb or unsettle.
And a subtle shift of gears takes us to this weeks Zombie Haiku from Tyler K. Peterson...
Read on and treat yourself to a 30 minutes vacation of sorts.
Week 74 Contents
Thought for Today, by W.B. Keckler;
An Untitled painting, by Claudio Parentela; and
Dismembering TKP's Zombie Haiku, from Tyler K. Peterson
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
August 16, 2006
Week 73 Rings the Edge and Looks Inward
Which one of these things is not like the others?
What separates a quality online-quasi-magazine-published-with-a-blog-tool like Rock Heals from a shoddy rag like the New York Times? Quality foreign correspondents. People who are willing to put themselves in harm's way to get the real story.
Past issues have brought you stories that channeled ancient religious cults in the Dominican Republic; roll-stopped the siliconed hills of L.A.; mined cybernetic consciousness in Japan; tripped something fantastic but not-so-much light in Italy; and now we do it again...
From our Asia bureau, Katherine Gorman reports back from South Korea where she has scaled heights of pop culinary enlightenment.
But even before that, from our holy-fucking-shit desk, CAConrad slogs the real hazard pay sending in his dispatch from PHILADELPHIA. Whaddup!
And of course, the week wouldn't be complete if we didn't visit the undead shores with a little Zombie Haiku. This week's comes from Mark Wallace... and as the title implies, there are more from him to come.
Sometimes we catch ourselves asking, Why?
These shoes ain't gonna tie themselves.
Week 73 Contents
The Night River Phoenix Died, a poem from CAConrad;
Perfect Food (Korea), a video from Katherine Gorman; and
One of a Half a Dozen Zombies, a haiku from Mark Wallace
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
August 09, 2006
Week 72, Can't You Taste It?
Know the true EVIL
Is it a weird live we're living where an issue with four separate pieces in it seems huge?
Back in July, Boog City's Renegade Press series in NYC featured our kind overlords, Narrow House -- readings, music, a meat packing district gallery. While there we met Greg Fuchs, who'd sent us these poems just one night earlier. Odd. Greg has great glasses, does great things, and is working on a secret Rock Heals project that is going to kick ass.
Meanwhile, the always gallant, always alert Jon Lee just happened to have a nifty camera phone with audio at the right time and be in the right place to catch some cool sounds on the street.
And we share another Zombie Haiku -- this one from Cheryl DeWolfe. Somehow this is a set up for a new Rock Heals contest that we'll kick off perhaps next week... if we can sort out all the details.
Where are you going to find the time to consume all this fine finery? Baby steps, Bob. Baby steps.
Week 72 Contents
Thanks to Ryan Adams, a poem by Greg Fuchs;
Why can't we have this much fun all the time?, a video by Jon Lee of a buncha street drumming;
Friday becomes a Saturday, another from Greg Fuchs; and
Zombie Haiku with Crunching, from Cheryl DeWolfe
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
August 02, 2006
Week 71 Lays Waste to Previous Records
Count to three and we will be gone.
This week Heather Rounds brings us something between short fiction and prose poetry -- we love the places in between. Eat it up.
A quick selection from Where The Clothes Hang -- remember those? This page of the coloring book seems to have been pre-colored.
And we round things out by getting to back to some Zombie Haiku... well one at least... from Blake "Fifty Points" Shoen. I missed the zombies, too. We won't be so negligent going forward.
Stay safe.
Week 71 Contents
When They Are Older They Will Pass This Place In Their Cars and It Will Seem Smaller and Boxier by Heather Rounds;
The Hang In There Kitten by John Shanchuk, Corin See and Jamie Gaughran-Perez; and
Ugh! another zombie haiku? by Blake Shoen
Posted by Rock Heals at 04:30 AM
July 27, 2006
Week 70 and Strife Proliferates, Sir
Summertime on Harford Road, Baltimore, USA.
What the hell is going on here? (If you haven't watched the news in the last few weeks, do not pass Go.)
And so, we bring you more poultry with war on it's mind with a piece from Ken Rumble. We heard him read from this series in D.C. a little while back. Great on the page and great on the ear -- if you see him, remind him that Rock Heals is asking for an audio recording of that shiznit.
And another great drawing from W.B. Keckler. He's damn-near the house illustrator I think. We love ugly fish.
There will always be more.
Week 70 Contents
from St. Apples by Ken Rumble; and
Mother Insists She Knows the Way by W.B. Keckler
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
July 26, 2006
Week 70 Will Be Here Tomorrow (Thursday)
While you wait check out this classic from the Rock Heals archives... (Week 22, August 2005)
Tickle Torture
Justin Sirois
Tickle Torture combines text and images to describe what might be happening in major cities in Iraq or elsewhere. It is about torturing civilians within the confines of international law and the Geneva conventions. It is about soft fascism. It is about soft tacos. Click on the provinces to enjoy the poem.
Posted by Rock Heals at 06:30 AM
July 19, 2006
Week 69 Is Not a Joke
Get up. Get get down. Lady 9-1-1 wears the late crown.
We're wiped and overworked and underslept and generally fucking with the rhythms of life. We'd like to tell you that this is some kind of planned experiment intended to shake up our world view and usher in some much needed alignment. Nope.
But luckily we had a smidgen of foresight on some past day, and have this wonderful piece from Jessica Smith that has been patiently waiting for the right moment. It's the second in a set she sent us a while back -- you saw the first in late June.
Apparantly some folks find it important to note Michael Basinski when seeing what Jessica is up to in this/these. Yeah the dude is totally rocking. But we've said it before that we're no slave to the new and could go on and on about that. Here's the short-short version: there's still a lotta love left over in life for a good cover. And we think if rocks.
Enjoy it all. Enjoy. Enjoy.
Week 69 Content
Sidewalk from Jessica Smith
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:06 AM
July 12, 2006
Week 68 Wishes It Came From the Swamp Rather Than Living There Day In, Day Out
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind the sun or the rain -- we can be like they are
Come on baby
We have a Zombie Haiku winner! Plus read about our last minute rule changes! We're so happy! W.B. Keckler sent us a pile of new and lovely drawings -- so check out the first from those, too. Short and sweet, like your mother.
And do know, though the contest is officially over there is always room for more Zombie Haiku. Send 'em our way (along with whatever greatness you want to share with the world) to
submit at rockheals dot com
Week 68 Contents
Zombie Haiku: We Have a Winner! (feature);
The Winnning Zombie Haiku from J.S. Lohr; and
Something I Told Myself About You, a drawing from W.B. Keckler
Posted by Rock Heals at 09:00 AM
July 05, 2006
Week 67 Smites Those Who Fear Relaxation
Bethany Beach 2006. Hit it and quit it! [from Justin]
It was time to head off to some vacation -- that's the excuse for this week's tardy publication. Much fun has been had and will continue. Three more World Cup games to enjoy -- hopefully all as great as yesterday's Italy-Germany match. But enough of the dives already!
It hasn't been all fun -- hours and in-depth research and back-breaking effort has gone into a Hot House 5: Vacation Survival Guide. It will keep you in-step with the latest and greatest for the season.
And we'll celebrate with our Italian friends through another great painting from Claudio Parentela, who is apparently Italian.
Before moving on to a little something-something poetic with a piece from Jason Wilkinson. Wasn't going to have any of that poetry stuff this week, but this one grabbed me by the balls -- felt it was only fair that I share.
And lest you need a little more patriotism for your 4th of July week -- take a look at 45,000 bottle rockets being launched in roughly 2 minutes. Beats the shit outta 100,000 Fireflies, and that ain't easy to do. [thanks to jinkies/tracey]
PS Judging for the Zombie Haiku is on! We're currently sifting through 70 wonderful entries and making shortlist after shortlist. There can be only one!
Until then samples, samples, samples!
Week 67 Contents
Hot House 5: Vacation Survival Guide;
(Another) Untitled Painting, from Claudio Parentela; and
Trans-Galactic, a poem from Jason Wilkinson
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 PM
June 28, 2006
Week 66: Give 'em a Cubit and They'll Take an Etzbah
Don't mess with the bull, young man. Paul Gleason (1939 - 2006)
After 40 days and 40 nights of rain, reaching you via a satellite array we jury-rigged on the Rock Heals Ark, we wonder if anybody is out there?
Just in case, seek refuge in this great piece of visual poetry from Jessica Smith or higher ground, if you can find any. Jessica tells us that these handwritten guys are a new thing for her. We have a second from her to run next week(ish).
And to follow it up, a letter we received from Galina/Galia S. Will she have survived the flood? Is this the last piece of mail we'll receive from her? From anyone?
And Zombie Haiku due by Friday, June 30. A lot of great stuff has come in over the past 7 days. Don't miss out!
Next week Rock Heals travels to the coast to survey damage and continue the search for survivors. We hope we can serve as a beacon of hope in these trying post-deluvial times.
Week 66 Contents
poetry is like music, a visual poem from Jessica Smith; and
A Letter from Galina, from Galia [sic] S.
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
June 21, 2006
Week 65 Is Aware of Your Presence
"They're dead. They're all messed up."
Bob Massey checks in with us -- and just in time to overlap with the Zombie Haiku contest. How better to complement the undead than with a little L.A. -- whose weather is as much an abomination as those adorable little brain-eaters.
So we also have another brief sampling of Zombie Haiku to show off yet more of this thought-provoking pursuit.
And sandwiched between a great piece from Italian artist Claudio Parentela (found through our "Oh Lovely World We Will Conquer and Subjugate Your Peoples" work program). His bio is as long as my arm -- but suffice to say his work gets around. We have two more pieces from him to come in the near future, at which point we may share more details about this shadowy figure.
Week 65 Contents
So Very Los Angeles, from Bob Massey;
Untitled Painting, from Claudio Parentela; and
A Third Sampling of Zombie Haiku from a variety of writers
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
June 14, 2006
Week 64 Takes a Dive in the Box
Somewhere, someone is dreaming about winning the World Cup.
How is the world, you ask? Here's a quick run down:
- Stephen Hawkings Says Space Colonies Are Needed
- Bogus Hurricane Aid May Top $1.4B
- Daryl Hannah Arrested at L.A. Urban Farm
- Some Ohio Families Refuse to Claim Bodies
Unfortunately, writing about the goings-on in Iraq won't get old until the goings-on cease to be going on. I'm sure Tom Orange agrees, and this week we bring you a piece of his on the subject from a while back. We wish it were no longer relevant, but ... yeah.
Hopefully another drawing from W.B. Keckler will lend to the dementia.
And in local news, Baltimore's fine fine i.e. reading series is moving to a new home -- read all about it.
Week 64 Contents
The War is Unwinnable, an excerpt from a longer piece by Tom Orange;
Pet Sleeping; a drawing from W.B. Keckler; and
An announcement for the June 17, 2006 i.e. series reading
Posted by Rock Heals at 05:00 AM
June 07, 2006
Week 63 Is No Slave to the New (Next Week, TBD)
There was an accident. We shared a banana at the coffee shop nearby.
Breakfast at Tiffany's got it done in about 100 pages. Economy I tell you! And so we look to Truman, Holly and all their friends to be on watch while we wring love from a mere 290 words, 2 illustrations and 1 photograph.
Another selection from Where the Clothes Hang -- a coloring book. Our last one of those for a while, we hope you've enjoyed all you've seen of it so far.
But wait there's more another. A second wave of Zomibe Haiku, which you'll no doubt ejnoy.
Some great submissions have been streaming in -- keep them coming (both zombie haiku and "other stuff"). Expect more excitement just past the horizon.
Week 63 Contents
Mixed Precipitation, from the coloring book Where the Clothes Hang, by John Shanchuk, Corin See and Jamie Gaughran-Perez; and
Zombie Haiku Contest Update: Second Wave with another helping of entries.
Posted by Rock Heals at 02:00 AM
May 31, 2006
Week 62 Puts Your Needs First
You were always on my mind. You were always on my mind.
Watching baseball highlights. Reading the paper. More TV. Lost Finale. Shower. The Materials bring the rock. Zombie Haiku. Submit. Submit. 715. Gun shots in Rayburn? Orange Juice. Taking pictures. Put on some shorts. Prose from Ted Pelton. Hot, hot is all I heard. More Iraqi civilians killed. A Congressional show down. Edit. Edit. Edit. Get paycheck. Drawing from W.B. Keckler. Advertisement for an SUV inspired by sports car design. Catching up on email. So many people. So much love. So much humidity. Enjoy.
Week 62 Contents
Zombie Haiku Contest Update: First Wave with a sampling of what we've received so far;
Herman Melville from Ted Pelton; and
Vote! from W.B. Keckler
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
May 24, 2006
Week 61 Is In the Thick Of Things
There's always room for hard-hitting investigation.
Narrow House Recordings just rolled out a new 'chapdisc' from Buck Downs. It's smokin' hot, so we have a couple tracks from that for you.
Plus they threw us an extra copy to give to "someone deserving," so we decided it was time for another content (so soon? you ask). So check out the (utter lack of) rules and deadline for our Zombie Haiku Contest. Little, yellow, undead.
And our third pitch is a change up and yet no less strange. We leave off with a poem from W.B. Keckler. We don't know this guy from the wall, but he sent us a heap of goodness that we'll be dribbling out over the next few weeks.
Week 61 Contents
Two from Pontiac Fire, by Buck Downs;
Write Zombie Haiku and Win! a Rock Heals contest; and
NOTE: SOMETHING TO TELL THE ANALYST, from W.B. Keckler
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
May 17, 2006
Week 60 Is for Marvelous
(anything else would be un)civilized
Marvelous Marvin Hagler turns 52 this coming Tuesday (May 23, 2006) and we, at Rock Heals, take a moment to honor a man who gave so much and received so little in return.
So this week brings contributions from the two dudes who would be our official boxing correspondents if we had the budget to send them to fights on a regular basis -- Ric Royer and Kevin Thurston. Both have helped us carve out a space to enjoy the sweet science in this cruel cruel world. Let the work they share today helps you do the same.
And Marvelous, our hats are off to you -- we hope you are enjoying your retirement knowing the world has pulled its head out of its ass to realize you are one of the greatest to ever set foot in the ring. Happy birthday.
Week 60 Contents
This is my sock, and this is my body..., from Ric Royer;
Brother Frederick, 1988..., also from Ric;
a mix-up between 'marvelous' and 'fabulous', from Kevin Thurston;
As in to lessen the force or effect of..., one last one from Ric
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
May 10, 2006
Week 59 and the Sundance Kid
We will avoid boring you with talk of baseball for as long as possible.
Donald Illich is yet another Maryland find who sent us this fine fine work. Find more of his work around the web with a little searching, or in numerous print pubs.
And then we wrap things up with a selection from Where the Clothes Hang -- a coloring book intended to teach children about gay people. Remember those Social Studies lessons on cultures and countries? Like that. Kinda.
Read. Enjoy. Go outside and play.
PS: Before going out to play, share your work with Rock Heals. We're always looking for the new and the good.
Recently, our crack team of search optimizers nabbed a great MSN ranking on "prose about ninjas." Any submissions that can help push us to further heights in that category would be most welcome.
Week 59 Contents
Enemy Fireworks, poetry by Donald Illich; and
When Reason Needs Sitting, from the coloring book Where the Clothes Hang, by John Shanchuk, Corin See and Jamie Gaughran-Perez
Posted by Rock Heals at 12:00 AM
May 03, 2006
Week 58 Will Fuck You Up Good
No soy una pepita!
Spring! Again! Bob Massey steps up to cleanse your palate with the latest word from L.A. As usual, Hollywood is keeping him on his toes -- and as usual, he does his best to return the favor.
Then we dish up with this month's Hot House 5. What happened to last month's? Did we promise one every month or something? Maybe April was just light on the awesome beyond the writing we shared? I mean, they didn't give a Pulitzer for Drama for the whole damn year.
We're gonna go enjoy four days of good weather before D.C. reverts to its swampy, swampy self.
Week 58 Contents