Lanie Shanzyra Rebancos posted a review of Mice Verses Man yesterday of her blog. Thanks so much Lanie! I am very honored by the words you have wrote and glad you enjoyed my work.
Here is her review copy/pasted:
--------------------------------
Mice Verses Man
By R Jay Slais
Big Table Publishing Company
One Of A Kind.
Mice Verses Man by R Jay Slais is one of the best poetry chapbooks I’ve ever read. As a poet myself, I can see and feel the emotions set on every word Mr. Slais put into his poetry. He pictures every poem with vivid images that you can actually feel and touch the person on it. Every poem written has its own life, breathing its own beauty from one page to another.
Some of my favorite poems are Nice Guys Always Finish, Middle of the Night We Weep, Love Solstice and The Search. Somehow in these selected poems, I can relate. There were incidences in my life that I saw it all happened again when I read these poems. It made me sigh and wonder how I was able to cope up with those things. Then the next thing I know, I’m reading his chapbook all over again.
The words used on his poetry are like songs entwined with magic. Mr. Slais proved his talents and magical charisma on his first chapbook of poetry. It is a magical journey, digging deep into the person’s emotions. Getting Mice Verses Man poetry chapbook is one of the best things you can do in your life-no regrets.
Showing posts with label My Poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Poetry. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Mice Verses Man Released Today
My first book of poetry Mice Verses Man was officially released by Big Table Publishing Company today. Smiles!
If you're interested in getting a copy (you know you want it) travel here and either buy one from Robin at BTP or hit the Paypal button and I will send you a personally signed copy.
Thanks for reading and hope to hear from some of you. Thanks!!
Smiles!
R Jay
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
One poem at fourpaperletters
Many thanks to the fourpaperletters magazine editor Laura Isaacman for including my poem A Two Star Night in their January 1st issue.
This poem is part of my forthcoming book Mice Verses Man
It's a great new magazine, check it out!
Smiles!
This poem is part of my forthcoming book Mice Verses Man
It's a great new magazine, check it out!
Smiles!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Frosted Glass at Boston Literary Magazine - Winter 2009/2010
I have one poem just published in the Winter 2009/2010 issue of Boston Literary Magazine. This was accepted a few months ago and since then, the editor Robin has also accepted my Mice Verses Man manuscript for publication from her Big Table Publishing Company due out any day now. Thanks and thanks Robin and your BLM staff.
Smiles!
Smiles!
Monday, December 14, 2009
We All "Knead"
Knead
Love hate they say as if we are baking Sylvia bread,
head in an oven to watch the yeast rise.
Witness the moment the skin begins to brown,
when the odor wafts upon the window draft
like a ghost walking about room to room.
We look but can not see,
smell but do not inhale because we know inside
hate festers like pan drippings on the heating element;
you can not touch without getting burned.
After all, one who hates you perfectly,
moils without end to slice the lines that define you,
might be the one who can accept
everything you are made of,
the hard crust, the delicate insides,
and the crumbs that linger longer.
first published in Clockwise Cat Jan 2009
Love hate they say as if we are baking Sylvia bread,
head in an oven to watch the yeast rise.
Witness the moment the skin begins to brown,
when the odor wafts upon the window draft
like a ghost walking about room to room.
We look but can not see,
smell but do not inhale because we know inside
hate festers like pan drippings on the heating element;
you can not touch without getting burned.
After all, one who hates you perfectly,
moils without end to slice the lines that define you,
might be the one who can accept
everything you are made of,
the hard crust, the delicate insides,
and the crumbs that linger longer.
first published in Clockwise Cat Jan 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Latest Poetry Happenings
It's been a little slow on the poetry front mostly because I was putting a lot of time into getting my Mice Verses Man book ms and the galley perfected with the publisher so I wasn't submitting a whole lot during that time plus I have a few submissions that have been out for a couple months.
Anyway, I did hear back with a poem acceptance from a new lit mag called fourpaperletters for their January 2010 issue. Many thanks to the editor Laura Issacman. Looking forward to being a part of your magazine!
I also heard from editor Lori A. May from The Ambassador Poetry Project. A fairly new literary magazine based near the Detroit metro area named after the Ambassador Bridge. She accepted two of my poems for their March 2010 Spring issue. Thank you Lori! I hope to meet you some day too at a reading or whatever.
Since my last update, I also received two sets of rejections.
The publisher of my forthcoming book, Robin Stratton, shared one of the review excerps meant for the back cover of Mice Verses Man with me today. It's is from Steve Meador who has three fine poetry books out, all of which I own by the way, and also is the editor of the literary mag Hanging Moss Journal.
Here's his review. thanks Steve!
“R Jay Slais braids nature with humor and face-slapping reality that allows the reader to feel like a longtime friend. He is adept with language, structure and planting seeds of emotion, and one cannot help but feel lifted by 'January and all its newness is coming.'”
Steve Meador - author of Throwing Percy from the Cherry Tree
Winter is setting in here in Michigan. No snow here yet, but brrrrrrrr it is cold.
Smiles!
Anyway, I did hear back with a poem acceptance from a new lit mag called fourpaperletters for their January 2010 issue. Many thanks to the editor Laura Issacman. Looking forward to being a part of your magazine!
I also heard from editor Lori A. May from The Ambassador Poetry Project. A fairly new literary magazine based near the Detroit metro area named after the Ambassador Bridge. She accepted two of my poems for their March 2010 Spring issue. Thank you Lori! I hope to meet you some day too at a reading or whatever.
Since my last update, I also received two sets of rejections.
The publisher of my forthcoming book, Robin Stratton, shared one of the review excerps meant for the back cover of Mice Verses Man with me today. It's is from Steve Meador who has three fine poetry books out, all of which I own by the way, and also is the editor of the literary mag Hanging Moss Journal.
Here's his review. thanks Steve!
“R Jay Slais braids nature with humor and face-slapping reality that allows the reader to feel like a longtime friend. He is adept with language, structure and planting seeds of emotion, and one cannot help but feel lifted by 'January and all its newness is coming.'”
Steve Meador - author of Throwing Percy from the Cherry Tree
Winter is setting in here in Michigan. No snow here yet, but brrrrrrrr it is cold.
Smiles!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Test Flight
Opening The Door
It was a tough delivery,
he was almost lost.
That first day,
he grips my thumb,
his hand no bigger
than a newborn bird.
I always let him
steady himself
during his flights.
His is different
from the others.
The other children
sometimes tease him
because his hands shake,
his nerves un-feathered.
As he grows, he learns
to master the use
of each hand
with equal strength.
Our hands are the same
size now. His hands
still shake a little,
if you watch very closely.
Someday, his hands
will stop shaking
and mine will begin to;
I know he will be there
to steady me.
It was a tough delivery,
he was almost lost.
That first day,
he grips my thumb,
his hand no bigger
than a newborn bird.
I always let him
steady himself
during his flights.
His is different
from the others.
The other children
sometimes tease him
because his hands shake,
his nerves un-feathered.
As he grows, he learns
to master the use
of each hand
with equal strength.
Our hands are the same
size now. His hands
still shake a little,
if you watch very closely.
Someday, his hands
will stop shaking
and mine will begin to;
I know he will be there
to steady me.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Good news - My first book ms accepted by Big Table Publishing
Yay, now that I have signed on the dotted line and it is official, I would like announce that by year's end 2009, my first collection of poetry Mice Verses Man is to be published by Big Table Publishing Company Chapbook Series. BT Publishing is based in Massachusetts near Boston.
Eventually, it will be available at this link from the publisher or you can contact me directly at
RJay61 at comcast dot net
if you would like a signed copy.
Thanks a lot to the owner and Editor In Chief Robin Stratton for the acceptance and for being such a patient and knowledgable person to work with. The project is moving fast and it won't be long until it drops. It's going to be a 40 plus page chapbook, sort of a chap on steroids I guess, and it contains a lot of my best work including many previously unpublished pieces.
By the way, next door, I have started a new blog titled Mice Verses Man to help promote the book, print reviews, list readings or signings I will be doing in the future. Maybe I will see you here, or there, or there...thanks!!
Eventually, it will be available at this link from the publisher or you can contact me directly at
RJay61 at comcast dot net
if you would like a signed copy.
Thanks a lot to the owner and Editor In Chief Robin Stratton for the acceptance and for being such a patient and knowledgable person to work with. The project is moving fast and it won't be long until it drops. It's going to be a 40 plus page chapbook, sort of a chap on steroids I guess, and it contains a lot of my best work including many previously unpublished pieces.
By the way, next door, I have started a new blog titled Mice Verses Man to help promote the book, print reviews, list readings or signings I will be doing in the future. Maybe I will see you here, or there, or there...thanks!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
On the cover of OCHO 27
Thanks again Didi for including my portrait on the cover and my poem "Obscure" on page 20/21.
Smiles!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Poetry here and there
Having fun writing, doing open mic readings, and submitting these days. Some successes, including acceptances at
The Smoking Poet, one in Zinta Aistars magazine, Winter 09 issue forthcoming. Thanks Zinta, you and your magazine rock!
I will have a poem in Hanging Moss Journal forthcoming soon. This is Steve Meador's great lit mag, Buy his books btw, all three are Good Reads!! you will not be disappointed.
Got one accepted for the forthcoming issue of Boston Literary Magazine. Great mag and my second time sharing there (Summer 2008 also). Robin Stratton and her staff do wonderful work there. THANKS!
One poem will be in Didi Menendez's OCHO 27 forthcoming soon, thanks Didi
Two poems accepted and published at Troubadour21, a Detroit local magazine just starting out but making a name around town. Great people. I met Carla, Carl, Karma, Bill, and Paquita at open mic readings recently. See you all again soon. Thanks!
Recently I had three poems that were published in the latest issue of Leaf Garden. a superb magazine, thanks so much!! See the link to their free PDF on the right hand side of this page or go there and buy a hard copy.
All this was balanced by 9 sets of rejections including my fifth from Beloit Poetry Journal, oh well, someday. :) The editor wrote me a note a said he loved reading my poem (not enough to publish it I guess but hey...lol)
Big news on the horizon.... shhh, it's a secret. (for now)
Smiles!!
The Smoking Poet, one in Zinta Aistars magazine, Winter 09 issue forthcoming. Thanks Zinta, you and your magazine rock!
I will have a poem in Hanging Moss Journal forthcoming soon. This is Steve Meador's great lit mag, Buy his books btw, all three are Good Reads!! you will not be disappointed.
Got one accepted for the forthcoming issue of Boston Literary Magazine. Great mag and my second time sharing there (Summer 2008 also). Robin Stratton and her staff do wonderful work there. THANKS!
One poem will be in Didi Menendez's OCHO 27 forthcoming soon, thanks Didi
Two poems accepted and published at Troubadour21, a Detroit local magazine just starting out but making a name around town. Great people. I met Carla, Carl, Karma, Bill, and Paquita at open mic readings recently. See you all again soon. Thanks!
Recently I had three poems that were published in the latest issue of Leaf Garden. a superb magazine, thanks so much!! See the link to their free PDF on the right hand side of this page or go there and buy a hard copy.
All this was balanced by 9 sets of rejections including my fifth from Beloit Poetry Journal, oh well, someday. :) The editor wrote me a note a said he loved reading my poem (not enough to publish it I guess but hey...lol)
Big news on the horizon.... shhh, it's a secret. (for now)
Smiles!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Poetry Happenings
During these trying times of late, been writing when I can and submitting here and there. Some good news to brighten my days, 3 poems accepted for an upcoming issue of Leaf Garden, 2 poems accepted at Breadcrumb Scabs for issue 16 in Apr 2010, and 1 acceptance at Hanging Moss Journal due in Oct 2009 superbly balanced by four rejections from some excellent magazines that all sent personal notes with the response.
Thanks to all the editors for their responses and for smiling my day. Peace and love!
TGIF!!
Thanks to all the editors for their responses and for smiling my day. Peace and love!
TGIF!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
One poem in Oranges & Sardines
The Self Portrait Issue of Poets And Artists, the latest release from Didi Menendez and her creative magazine Oranges & Sardines is now live here: check it out!
The Self Portrait Issue - Poets And Artists
I am happy to have one of my poems titled "Happenstance" included (pg 43)
Thanks Didi!!!! It's a beautiful magazine with so many talented artists and poets featured in it. Lovely!!
If you would like the option of getting a hard copy, please bookmark this link. It should be available soon. I can't wait to get mine!!
https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3399083
Peace and love!!
The Self Portrait Issue - Poets And Artists
I am happy to have one of my poems titled "Happenstance" included (pg 43)
Thanks Didi!!!! It's a beautiful magazine with so many talented artists and poets featured in it. Lovely!!
If you would like the option of getting a hard copy, please bookmark this link. It should be available soon. I can't wait to get mine!!
https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3399083
Peace and love!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Love Solstice
Since it has been a little over a year now since my friend Tom, the editor at Barnwood International Poetry Mag first published this poem, I thought this was a good time to re-post it and share it here too because damn... I am so right here inside what this poem is speaking to right now. :(
Love Solstice
After her smile fades
a bee sleeps in my mouth.
The sunset has no teeth.
Lips are frozen;
a window thick with frost,
all night, the cold finds lost needles.
Widower in the wind,
horny fleas construct their brothel
on the wing of a flightless dove.
Breathing is a fierce storm
when the sky is full
of wet eyelids,
the language of torn dead leaves,
like the scurry of mice
around the feet
of a cold weathered monument.
Her loss is a suffering
that will never be carved
on the subterranean stone.
In the absence of flowers,
a bewildered man,
even the fault line shake
of morning wake
does nothing but loosen
the frail balance of growth.
A single seed,
endosperm cap weakened
to permit radicle emergence,
drowns in a rush
of Spring rain,
never to root in soil;
the echo of sad voice
despoiled by time and tears.
Waving at my shadow
on concrete,
a gaunt gray man,
lacking contour waves back.
That lonely walking dove
one eyes the sun
seeking nothing but warmth,
a voice, a seed to split.
We are blinded,
unable to find the threshold,
her name,
only a memory on my mouth.
Love Solstice
After her smile fades
a bee sleeps in my mouth.
The sunset has no teeth.
Lips are frozen;
a window thick with frost,
all night, the cold finds lost needles.
Widower in the wind,
horny fleas construct their brothel
on the wing of a flightless dove.
Breathing is a fierce storm
when the sky is full
of wet eyelids,
the language of torn dead leaves,
like the scurry of mice
around the feet
of a cold weathered monument.
Her loss is a suffering
that will never be carved
on the subterranean stone.
In the absence of flowers,
a bewildered man,
even the fault line shake
of morning wake
does nothing but loosen
the frail balance of growth.
A single seed,
endosperm cap weakened
to permit radicle emergence,
drowns in a rush
of Spring rain,
never to root in soil;
the echo of sad voice
despoiled by time and tears.
Waving at my shadow
on concrete,
a gaunt gray man,
lacking contour waves back.
That lonely walking dove
one eyes the sun
seeking nothing but warmth,
a voice, a seed to split.
We are blinded,
unable to find the threshold,
her name,
only a memory on my mouth.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Rose & Thorn current issue
I am very honored to be part of the current issue of The Rose & Thorn Magazine. My poem "If Asked One Can Walk On Water" was published in their magazines Winter 2008/09 issue.
Many thanks to the editorial staff for including me!!
Peace and love!
Many thanks to the editorial staff for including me!!
Peace and love!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
5 Poems up at Clockwise Cat #13
I am happy to see five of my poems are up at Clockwise Cat Issue #13. Thanks to the editor Alison Ross for including these poems, some of which are ones I still enjoy, in your magazine!
Smiles!!
Smiles!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bird's Eye reView #1 is out
A couple weeks ago, one of my poems "After The Fall" was included in the debut issue of a new lit mag Bird's Eye Review.
Many thanks to the editor Amy George for including me.
Check out the magazine here . There are a lot of great poems to be read there by some great writers.
Peace!!
Many thanks to the editor Amy George for including me.
Check out the magazine here . There are a lot of great poems to be read there by some great writers.
Peace!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Gutter Eloquence Magazine - Issue #1
For me, it's always exciting to be part of a new venture, to be on the ground floor in the mix when something brand new sets sail.
Yesterday, the premier Issue #1 of a new literary magazine Gutter Eloquence was published online and one of my poems titled "The Greatest Fear" is included along with many other fantastic writer's work.
My thanks to the magazine editor Jack T. Marlowe for including me with such a talented group of writers including several friends, a few local Michigan poets, and also some of my favorite poets to read. Happy New Year Jack. Best wishes for fine success with Gutter Eloquence!
Smiles!!
Yesterday, the premier Issue #1 of a new literary magazine Gutter Eloquence was published online and one of my poems titled "The Greatest Fear" is included along with many other fantastic writer's work.
My thanks to the magazine editor Jack T. Marlowe for including me with such a talented group of writers including several friends, a few local Michigan poets, and also some of my favorite poets to read. Happy New Year Jack. Best wishes for fine success with Gutter Eloquence!
Smiles!!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Dec 2008 Hanging Moss Journal
The December 2008 issue of Hanging Moss Journal dropped yesterday with two of my poems on board.
Thanks again to the editir Steve Meador for including me in his magazine. You can read "One Final Wish" and "Responsibility" here.
There's a lot of other great contributions there too, so read on his Guest Poets section.
Thanks again Steve!
Thanks again to the editir Steve Meador for including me in his magazine. You can read "One Final Wish" and "Responsibility" here.
There's a lot of other great contributions there too, so read on his Guest Poets section.
Thanks again Steve!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Poem up at The Pedestal Magazine
The December 2008 issue of The Pedestal Magazine dropped today with my poem "Finger Print" on board.
Thanks again to Poetry editor Arlene Ang and Editor In Chief John Amen for including me. I am happy to be a small part of their magazine.
Merry Christmas and happy holiday to you all.
Peace and love!
Thanks again to Poetry editor Arlene Ang and Editor In Chief John Amen for including me. I am happy to be a small part of their magazine.
Merry Christmas and happy holiday to you all.
Peace and love!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Poetry Update - acceptances
Here is my recent personal poetry news concerning recent acceptances and publications.
I had a couple rejections and one submission sent back with the editor stating he is reformating his magazine and going a new direction. I also had one poem accepted then pulled back a day later which I guess sometimes happens...oh well. Keep writing, submitting, and reading!
Three acceptances since my last note.
First, The Pedestal Magazine let me know that they will be using my poem "Finger Print" in their forthcoming December 2008 issue due to drop any day. My thanks to this month's poetry editor Arlene Ang and the Editor In Chief John Amen for the acceptance and for working with me to get me into their fine magazine. I am really excited about getting published in TPM and this poem publication also comes along with the pretty sweet cash payment, always a good thing huh!
Next, Hanging Moss Journal has accepted two of my poems for their next issue. I am a big fan of the editor Steve Meador so big time appreciation to you Steve for these acceptances. Steve's latest book "Throwing Percy From The Cherry Tree" has been nominated for a National Book Award and The Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Great stuff, I recommend everyone to pick up a copy of this book right away. It would make a great Christmas gift!
Finally, I am honored to be included in the forthcoming Issue #1 of Gutter Eloquence Magazine due to be published before January 5, 2009. The editor, Jack T. Marlowe, was kind enough to allow a slight re-write on my poem "The Greatest Fear" to get it to an acceptable level for their likes. I definitely appreciate you working with me on this Jack, thanks and I am excited about your new magazine's debut issue! Congrats!
Yellow Mama #11 dropped the other day with my poem "High Enough To Die" on board. Click the link to go and check it out. Thanks a lot Cindy for the publication. I really enjoy reading your magazine!
Happy holidays to you all. Thanks for reading today!
Peace and love!
I had a couple rejections and one submission sent back with the editor stating he is reformating his magazine and going a new direction. I also had one poem accepted then pulled back a day later which I guess sometimes happens...oh well. Keep writing, submitting, and reading!
Three acceptances since my last note.
First, The Pedestal Magazine let me know that they will be using my poem "Finger Print" in their forthcoming December 2008 issue due to drop any day. My thanks to this month's poetry editor Arlene Ang and the Editor In Chief John Amen for the acceptance and for working with me to get me into their fine magazine. I am really excited about getting published in TPM and this poem publication also comes along with the pretty sweet cash payment, always a good thing huh!
Next, Hanging Moss Journal has accepted two of my poems for their next issue. I am a big fan of the editor Steve Meador so big time appreciation to you Steve for these acceptances. Steve's latest book "Throwing Percy From The Cherry Tree" has been nominated for a National Book Award and The Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Great stuff, I recommend everyone to pick up a copy of this book right away. It would make a great Christmas gift!
Finally, I am honored to be included in the forthcoming Issue #1 of Gutter Eloquence Magazine due to be published before January 5, 2009. The editor, Jack T. Marlowe, was kind enough to allow a slight re-write on my poem "The Greatest Fear" to get it to an acceptable level for their likes. I definitely appreciate you working with me on this Jack, thanks and I am excited about your new magazine's debut issue! Congrats!
Yellow Mama #11 dropped the other day with my poem "High Enough To Die" on board. Click the link to go and check it out. Thanks a lot Cindy for the publication. I really enjoy reading your magazine!
Happy holidays to you all. Thanks for reading today!
Peace and love!
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