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      May 8, 2019Petrarch Looks for Laura at Holiday WorldStephen Harvey

      High noon and ninety-nine in Santa Claus,
      Indiana. Before I start to melt, I spot
      some sorry bastard sweating off his balls
      in costume. Ho-ho-ho-ly shit, it’s hot!
      I whisper when the kids can’t hear—he’s not
      amused. I take the rickety applause
      of wooden roller coasters that slingshot
      my pain-in-the-ass nephews through bendy straws
      of rotten lumber. I gorge on Dippin’ Dots
      and look for you in crowds even now because
      that’s what I do. Dusk. Santa blows a snot
      rocket in the shrubs, abandons his post.
      I’ve totally gotten over you almost.

      from #63 - Spring 2019

      Stephen Harvey

      “As a formalist, I’ve always been intrigued with Petrarch but can’t quite stomach the mushiness of the Canzoniere which, some critics argue, is written in persona. I borrowed his concept a couple years ago, using Laura as a stand-in for whatever longing I can’t come to terms with. It took a little tinkering, but soon I discovered the voice of a modernized Petrarch bumbling through brothels, the White House, and other disreputable establishments. The hard part now is getting him to shut up.”