Arthur Schopenhauer once said for an individual to suffer was not to merely “understand” what the other was going through; rather to truly experience empathy is to take on the other’s suffering, to literally be crucified with another as opposed to simply carrying their cross, and  Draper’s novel Out of my Mind seems to focus on the latter in this powerful novel.  Following a fictitious autobiography of Melody, a young girl with a disability restraining her to the confines of a wheelchair and the inability to express any words whatsoever, the book seems to invoke some primal emotions that force one to no longer simply “read about” the character, but actually experience life with her.  There is much to say about whether Draper is justified in writing this kind of work; however I find that discussing topics of that nature take us away from the whole point of the book and I’m much more concerned about what the book has to say then whether or not she should have said it.

To begin with, I really appreciated the existential element to Draper’s narrative method.  The book did not have a rigid structure which it adhered to, and consequently it became quainter as the story revealed itself, quite akin to a blossoming rose.  This particular style would appear to be quite vexing insofar as it has no logical point that it could end per se.  Any ending would appear disappointing to a reader in its lack of a formal conclusion.  However, the open-ended style of the book is what gave it all its charm.  The lack of any sense of ethos from Melody’s contemporaries did not derail the whole book; rather following the main character through her struggles and sharing in her perseverance seemed to endow her with stoic nobility.  The inexcusable lack of justice experienced by her colleagues made me reminisce of the Aristotelian tragedy: one that is not viewed as to depress, but to reify certain virtues in the audience.  This is what I was speaking of earlier with the modes of compassion and primal sensations: as incomparable misfortunes strike Melody and her family, she seems more whimsical than pathetic.

Christopher Williams is an editor with Synchronized Chaos Magazine and may be reached at cwilli10@ashland.edu. Visit www.sharondraper.com for more information about the author.

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when the man you don’t know jumps right next to you

and you can remember his outline pressed against
the swaying bridge
tenderly as a cauliflowered ear

fried against the world,
tonguing foam at the horizon
at the seized Chesapeake twilight.

So I missed it / something felt bright in the dark
noisy ideas slept in my mouth
and I slept in my mouth
like disappearing footsteps
rushing a volcano in silence.
Follow them quickly.
And as he stood there, he was bright as lava
diving through island lights

just a layer
over the Chesapeake
just a blue heavy hand wide
on the fat of a stomach
with one cateracting eye closed.

and the flab moves fast
bursting black foam’s
wish after wish
against the trestles,
and his smack climbed
like sediment squirming up
the bay’s blue throat and it has made it this far,
taking its years to grow back into a voice,
he’s howling his way up that ledge,
just behind your lips.

Andrew Rahal is Co-founder and Editor of poetry and non-fiction for the Nashville Review. He can be reached at Andrew.rahal@gmail.com.

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In the last few weeks, I have been given the opportunity to read not one, but two, poetry books by writers from California. Though both writers originated in the same state, that is all they have in common.

The first book I received was “Hayward Hometown Poetry” by Bruce Roberts. This was a collection of poetry about his hometown, though saying it is only about the town is not completely accurate, as it is also about the residents of the town, and how the writer remembers the area. Mr. Roberts took a freestyle approach to his poetry, making it slightly more difficult to understand for a novice poetry reader. Some of the images that were brought forth in his writings made this reviewer wonder if he really loved the town, or if he loved what the town used to be, but is no longer.

I was moved by one of his poems entitled, “Night School,” where he wrote about a former student of his, a woman whose 11 year old son had murdered a man. It described the writer’s disbelief of and heartache in the situation – also the questions he asked himself while facing the step-mother of an 11 year old killer. This poem would a cause reader to think and ponder the question ‘where is my baby at?’ Though I did not find his work to be especially emotionally moving or gut-wrenching, Mr. Roberts did do what he set out to do and successfully painted a clear, poetic picture of his views of Hayward California, his hometown.

J’Rie Elliott may be reached at dixiepoet@gmail.com.

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[Reviewed by Gloria Balderas]

Last weekend, Opera San José unveiled its production of The Barber of Seville. I attended the afternoon performance on Sunday, February 13th. Conductor Bryan Nies opened with the familiar overture…that is, familiar to opera experts as a classic masterpiece and to opera apprentices as a background to classic cartoons. However familiar one may be with the piece, it was a sincere joy to hear in person.

As most of us are aware, an opera just isn’t an opera without romance, drama, and scheming and conniving characters. The Barber of Seville has all of these elements along with a whole lot of humor and silliness (e.g., hypnotism by way of a carrot or the intentionally poor mimicking of playing a musical instrument). It was all quite entertaining.

All of the performers were very engaging and memorable in their own ways. The wit and charm seemed to come natural for Adam Meza as Figaro, the local barber and jack of all trades who offers to help bring Count Almaviva (Chester Pidduck) to his beloved Rosina (the vocally impressive Cathleen Candia). Scene-stealers included Kindra Scharich as Berta and Paul Murray as the quirky Basilio.

Overall, I had a delightful experience watching the The Barber of Seville and I would encourage others to catch one of the remaining performances, which continues this weekend until Sunday, February 27, 2011. Click here to learn more about Opera San José, or here to purchase tickets for an upcoming show.

Gloria Balderas is an editor with Synchronized Chaos Magazine and may be reached at globalderas@gmail.com for questions or comments.

The February issue draws upon the rawness, sensitivity, and complexity of corporeal existence. The mind and body are as often artistically explored as they are scientifically explored, from their organic and simple qualities to their abstruse elements.

Writing contributions: Contributions this month focus on flesh, blood, and intense emotions. We hope you enjoy reading the poems and shorts stories by some of our past and new contributors like Bruce Roberts, Sam Burks, Harmony Riedman, and Michael E. Swain. Emotional and physical consequences of love and heartbreak are explored in the writings by Michael Priv, Iris Grace, and J’Rie Elliott. The body connects with spirit and embraces physical surroundings in Laura Robert’s poems.

Art installations by Seiko Tachibana, Owen Schuh, and Dana Hemenway focus on the fundamental elements of the physical and natural world. Their work is very eye-catching and detailed as are the elaborate paper cuttings from Béatrice Coron.

Images are juxtaposed with dissimilar subjects in the unaltered photography of Jack Androvich and multi-dementional paintings by Robert Minervini and Frost Newton.

Paintings by Kristen van Diggelen and JJ Miyaoka Pakola are rich and intense. The artists experiment with linking concurrent ideas and paths. Michelle Waters’ paintings are also very visually rich and colorful, but also in a humorous and satirical manner.

Winthrop Prince and RUBYSPAM use abstract methods to express real-life occurrences in their artwork. Cathy Lu’s work signifies the equally ambivalent ways in which we go about our daily lives, from our physical experiences and interactions to our internal beliefs.

Paintings by Leila Cartier and Geoffrey Kington are not as superficial as one might suggest at first glance, but are rather sensitive and emotional.

Inspired by collected images with unknown history, Adele Crawford alters past photographs to create new stories.

Eco-friendly: Check out the environmentally-driven artwork by Tree Rivera and Christopher Reiger. If natural accessories are your thing, see the artistry behind Shanna Leino’s books and accessories, and check out Project TransAction.

We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue!

Gloria Balderas
Creative Facilitator/Editor-In-Chief

Béatrice Coron is a worldwide traveler and artist who began her career in New York, NY. Coron’s work has been featured in major collections and as public art, including the NY subway system.  She describes paper cutting as “…hidden secrets behind the surface. The technique of papercutting creates dimensional drawings where the drawing is also a structure.”

Click here for upcoming exhibition information.

“My art fuses my love for animals, concern about the welfare of the planet and twisted sense of humor. I call my work ‘environmental surrealism.’ Influences include kitschy portrayals of animals from mass-marketed popular culture, the nightmarish imagery of Hieronymus Bosch, Beatrix Potter, Maurice Sendak, the writings of Edward Abbey, and my work as a wildlife rehabilitator.”

To see more of the artist’s work, visit her website at http://www.michellewatersart.com/index.html

OR contact the artist by email at michelle@michellewatersart.com

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