Neuroscientist, musician, and poet Michael Smilovitch explores the poetic qualities of bio-science in obscuritysquared, his first chapbook with The Blasted Tree. By importing the lexicon of brain chemistry, biology, and psychology into his verse, Smilovitch toys with commonly accepted notions of perception and subjectivity. obscuritysquared is fast-paced, funny, surreal, and smart. Most of this collection is previously unpublished, and three poems are available exclusively in limited edition chapbooks from The Blasted Tree Store!
Poetry Longsheet - Adventure Time by Jake Byrne
Jake Byrne is a gifted poet with searing vision and a sardonic tongue lithe beyond his years. The Blasted Tree is pleased to reprint his first published poem, Adventure Time, into 50 limited edition 4.25" x 11" longsheets. Adventure Time, a poem made of love, omens, and surrender, is printed on beautiful Classic Laid paper, and copies of the longsheet are now available from The Blasted Tree's Store.
READ ADVENTURE TIME
Poetry Leaflet - Infinite Palindromes by Anthony Etherin
The work of UK-based experimental author and publisher Anthony Etherin explores new poetic forms and constraints. Infinite Palindromes features three short, palindromic phrases which, when strung together across multiple lines, can be repeated ad infinitum. 50 limited edition 4.5" x " 7" folded leaflets were printed, copies are now available from The Blasted Tree's Store.
READ INFINITE PALINDROMES
Poetry Leaflet - In Memoriam, Bob Cobbing and Jennifer Pike Cobbing by derek beaulieu
Acclaimed experimental poet derek beaulieu memorializes influential concrete and performance artists Bob Cobbing and Jennifer Pike Cobbing with his 2-part visual poem, In Memoriam..., published by The Blasted Tree in a limited edition 7.5" x 6" folded leaflet. 50 copies of the visual poem were printed on bright satin paper, and the leaflet is now available from The Blasted Tree's Store.
VIEW IN MEMORIAM...
Poetry Leaflet - In Montreal by Mia Poirier
Mia Poirier's poetry is always a welcome departure from the common pretensions of lyrical verse. The Blasted Tree is pleased to present their new poem, In Montreal, which speaks to the unexpected changes we undergo moving to a new city, in a limited edition 4.25" x 4.25" folded leaflet. 50 copies of the poem were printed on top quality Classic Laid paper, and the leaflet is now available from The Blasted Tree's Store.
read IN MONTREAL
New Poetry Chapbook - PRAY / LEWD by Kyle Flemmer
The selected first poems of Kyle Flemmer presents his best work from a variety of projects. PRAY / LEWD includes several poems which have appeared in print, some from ongoing projects, and a few which are new to the world, making an excellent cross-section of Flemmer's early explorations into poetic form, space, and subject. A limited edition of 50 chapbooks have been published, 20 of which are available for purchase from The Blasted Tree Store.
BUY PRAY / LEWD
Featured Art - base currency by Kyle Flemmer
The Blasted Tree is opening a new line into the worlds of art and poetry! Beginning with this series, we will be making and selling artist prints on behalf of emerging Canadian artists. base currency is a series of concrete or visual poems by Blasted Tree author and editor Kyle Flemmer. The series works within constraints imposed by the analog machine to investigate the social and political significance of money. 20 numbered and signed artist prints of each part have been produced on quality card stock, and the entire series is available from The Blasted Tree's Store.
VIEW BASE CURRENCY
Featured Poetry - Lunar Flag Assembly Kit by Kyle Flemmer
Experimental poetry at the intersection of science and modern mythology, LUNAR FLAG ASSEMBLY KIT is the first of its kind at The Blasted Tree. Kyle Flemmer tells the story of six flags planted on the moon by Project Apollo, translating the rigorous procedures of space exploration into textual and visual poetry that celebrates the audacity of such a technical feat. 10 limited edition chapbooks of the collection are available for purchase, each printed on high-quality paper, hand-sewn, and numbered by the author. Lunar Flag Assembly Kit available from The Blasted Tree Store.
READ LUNAR FLAG ASSEMBLY KIT
Featured Story - Choke by Herman
CHOKE is a collection of brief vignettes, each focusing on a different time the protagonist loses his breath, arranged to tell a wider coming-of age story. Sent in by the mysterious Herman, Choke is the 13th installment in our Short(er) Fiction series and the first work on The Blasted Tree published under a pseudonym. (Be prepared for physical trauma and sexually explicit content with reference to a minor.) Take a deep breath, then read Choke using the link below.
READ CHOKE
Featured Author - Ted Elliot
Ted Elliot is a burgeoning force in Montreal's literature scene. In addition to his own writing practice, Elliot co-produces a monthly poetry series at Café Lucci in Montreal. His verse bears an elevated polish and a close attention to detail, and we're pleased to bring you four new poems by this adroit young author. Elliot's work, featured now on The Blasted Tree, includes BACKPACK, XXXI, NEVER A DULL MOMENT ON ELGIN STREET, and FAREWELL PRELUDE. Read these poems, then check out Elliot's bio using the link below.
VIEW TED'S PROFILE
Information about the next Café Lucci reading event (March 4, 2016) can be found HERE.