left held right: chapbook now available

Jeffrey · 04-03-2009, 12:51 AM

“The riddle does not exist. If a question can be put at all, then it can also be answered.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." - a father in Judea

Called "an astounding voice" by poetess and culinary artist Gina Ruiz, Cuitlamiztli Carter has released a chapbook entitled left held right.

Inspired primarily by Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian mythology (especially the Aeneid) and modern songwriters (especially Lennon/McCartney, Springsteen, and John Waite), left held right is a riddle in four parts, presented via individual yet interconnecting poems of both structural and non-structural verse. It is recklessly self-indulgent.

It is available both as a print copy and a download at Lulu.com, via a private access address. The poet is not self-publishing under the assumption that the work is so great as to be drowned in a public list of self-published material, but to provide access for the ones who inspired the project: his friends and family.

Special thanks to Lee Modlin for inspiring the project. The poems are a bit gray in tone overall, and it's undoubtedly riddled* with typos that escaped several revisions. Regardless, I think you all will enjoy it. It features renderings of three segments from the Aeneid, by the way. It's really not meant for minors. This doesn't mean it's full of naughty bits (it's much cleaner than Ezekiel 23, though it has no claim on divine inspiration), simply that the subject matter (not the content itself) is aimed for the voting age crowd.

Feel free to distribute the book - meaning, if you pay for the download (a PDF file), feel free to send it along to others. Before shipping, the print copy should be seven bucks. I apologize for Lulu's shipping costs. The download should be one dollar. I also apologize in advance if the cover comes out blurred. It looks fine on my original draft copies, but you never know with these things. If I have to revise the cover, your copy will be Ultra Rare (TM). Disclaimer: that will likely give you no net benefit.

It's four sections of sixteen poems each, with two poems framing the work (one at each end) and an additional poem afterwards in celebration of 2009. At the very end is a prose vignette in the spirit of my last chapbook.

* Haha.

**Mr.Zachcore** · 04-03-2009, 01:00 AM

what exactly is the front cover, jeff? i want to buy one. Like I said I would with the last one but actually do it this time.

Jeffrey · 04-03-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Zachcore

what exactly is the front cover, jeff? i want to buy one. Like I said I would with the last one but actually do it this time.

A smaller version of this image. You have to download it, because CGR's preview squishes it nasty style. I can take a photo of the draft copies to show how it turned out. It looks slick on the actual cover, like the PNG file when viewed full size.

**beanbag** · 04-03-2009, 01:31 AM

cool! I liked the last one you released. is there a special way to access the download one, or do we just follow the link?

Jeffrey · 04-03-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanbag

cool! I liked the last one you released. is there a special way to access the download one, or do we just follow the link?

Follow the link, and it should offer both for purchase.

**Role Modlin** · 04-03-2009, 12:18 PM

I haven't forgotten my original proposal to you. Robin has her first pay day today and I am looking for jobs. I will keep my word.

Jeffrey · 04-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Role Modlin

I haven't forgotten my original proposal to you. Robin has her first pay day today and I am looking for jobs. I will keep my word.

I will never turn down money, because I as any other have financial challenges. But using Lulu.com allowed me to get this out without costing anyone up-front costs. We'll chat about our options.

Jeffrey · 04-03-2009, 03:26 PM

Already I have found (minor) typos. I may revise the file tonight, but it will only impact small things ("likes" instead of "like," for instance).

Jeffrey · 04-06-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Zachcore

what exactly is the front cover, jeff? i want to buy one. Like I said I would with the last one but actually do it this time.

Do it. Buy the heck out of it.

If anyone here doesn't have a means to pay for an online order, you can send me the cash and your address and I'll have it sent to your home.

poorprince87 · 04-23-2009, 01:31 PM

This came in today. Looks great! Lulu did a sturdy packaging job. I'm looking forward to solving the riddle (yeah, right...). Have you ever thought about putting your first chapbook online?

Jeffrey · 04-23-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorprince87

This came in today. Looks great! Lulu did a sturdy packaging job. I'm looking forward to solving the riddle (yeah, right...). Have you ever thought about putting your first chapbook online?

I probably should repost it. I'd have to re-read it and see if I like it.

The riddle may be intensely simple, or impossibly complex. Or...