Ripped Genes Promo

Pet-store patron purchases unborn human fetus from avian shopkeep.

Swimming instrumentalists mix horns, strings and hormones.

Draughtsman seeks amphibious splice for erotic tryst.

Editor’s namesake awakens to smells of blood, rot, more blood.

Wolfboy’s hired hand lights path, but does he know the way?

Labor pains with explosive implications.

Half-terraformed planet’s native inhabitants cross the border.

Insurgents spring ally from DNA-hacking overlords.

Copycat comes to terms with surroundings and selves.

Spaghetti-slurping journalist learns true meaning of pharmacovigilance.

Guerilla clinic guinea pig invests big in immunity.

Anthropomorphism: a matter of profit vs. principle.

Enamored animal activist meets familiar face.

Previews of Ripped Genes stories, for the Morpheus Tales #18 online supplement.

Bar Door Poetry

A narrative poem from spring 2005

This poem was written for an introductory level creative writing class in early 2005. I was 19 at the time. If I remember correctly the assignment given was to visit Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and compose a poem based on any one work present there. I was particularly struck by John Singleton Copley's painting, Watson And The Shark. Here is my poem of the same title:

How many times did I tell you young Watson?
We’re patiently awaiting the captain’s arrival.
But alas, you continued on and on:
a pestilence, incessant as the sailor’s itch itself…

Fine then, enjoy your swim, orphan boy.

I shall never forget the look in your eyes
at that dreadful discovery of deadly demise
approaching: horrifying surprise.
I assure you, our desperate screams onboard
echoed the sentiments of your cries.

But quicker than shifting tides
came the miracle winds of hope.
Reach for his hand, son. Grab the rope.
You shall not fall victim to that blackened throat.

And with the helping hands of fate,
good will, and faith in the maker’s strength,
may I be damned if you did not make your escape.

May the Lord curse these murky seas
and beasts that lurk within the deep.