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Posts by J.L. Smith

I am a writer/political scientist based in Eagle River, Alaska. I hold a BA degree in English/Creative Writing and a MA in International Relations. Best of both worlds, I write everything from naturalistic poetry to Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Recent publications: Academic Nonfiction: The Syrian Dilemma: Moscow's Motives in the Syrian Uprising (2013). ISBN: 9781304283931 Creative Nonfiction: "The Important Things" - Alaska Women Speak - Winter 2015 issue Fiction: How to Eat a Bagel - 50-word Stories - Sept 15, 2015 The Devil and the White Room - Down in the Dirt - July/August 2016 Poetry: "Sara" - Grassroots - Fall 1999 "Femininity" - Cirque - Summer 2015 "Sitting in the Bathroom" - Yellow Chair Review - July 2015 "A Happy Poem" - Eunoia Review - August 2015 "Willow Rebuilds" "Spectators" "Fire Angels" - Alaska Women Speak- Fall 2015 "Dark Clouds Descend Low" - Three Line Poetry - Issue 33 - Sept 2015 "Da!" - Peeking Cat Poetry - 8th issue - Oct 2015 "Three times my baby's stroller passes by" - Eunoia Review - Oct 2015 "Babushka's Samovar", "If I May Speak", and "High Tea and Fancy Things" - Alaska Women Speak - Winter 2015 Issue "Joanna's Child" - Cirque - Winter Solstice issue 2015. "Away with the Bitterness!" - Peeking Cat Poetry - 9th Issue - Dec 2015 "Away with the Bitterness!" - Alaska Shorts (49 Writers blog) - December 22, 2015 "The Reflex", "The Drop Off", and "Crossed Eyes" - Eskimo Pie - Feb 2016 "The Fragments You Carry", "The Fireweed Dies", and "Crabapples" - 13 Chairs - Spring 2016

Excerpt – Medusa: The Lost Daughter

From “The Punishment”

One can seek forgiveness only if one
confesses one’s crimes. For without such an
admission, one cannot atone for her
crimes, repent, and accept her punishment.

Medusa is available for purchase at Politics and Prose at http://www.politics-prose.com/book/9781624291272

Excerpt: Medusa – The Lost Daughter

From “The First Temptation”

Temptations can come unexpectedly
after a time of one’s sacrifice and
self-restraint. How easy it is to resist
temptation when the indulgence is a
distant memory, not when it is fresh
to the raw mind.

Excerpt: Medusa – The Lost Daughter

From “The New Family”

Restless, Medusa slept the first night in
the temple, as she felt the great goddess
moving around her, touching her, feeling
her hair, telling her she could never leave.

Sign up for November’s Free Poetry Boot Camp

Taking signups right now for November’s poetry boot camp! It’s free. Will keep you motivated. And, what? There will be prizes??? Check it out!

https://jlsmithwrites.com/novpo-november-poetry-boot-camp/

Excerpt: Medusa – The Lost Daughter

From “Voiceless”

A king’s voice gets what a king wants and what
a servant can afford to pay, whether
that be in gold or a live sacrifice.

My book has finally arrived! Get your copy here at Politics and Prose!

http://www.politics-prose.com/book/9781624291272

Excerpt – Medusa – The Lost Daughter

From “The Departure’s Promise”
What possessions takes one when one cannot
return home again, to the home of birth,
family, and familiarity?
What of material nature is more
precious and sacred than the touch of a
mother’s, father’s, or sisters’?

My book has finally arrived! Get your copy here at Politics and Prose!

http://www.politics-prose.com/book/9781624291272

Excerpt – Medusa – The Lost Daughter

From “The Decree”
Revelations of secrets’ past blinds the
sight in the present, as the mind shifts the
blame to soothe the past for the present’s use.

My book has finally arrived! Get your copy here at Politics and Prose!

http://www.politics-prose.com/book/9781624291272