Blaze: A Quarterly Literary Zine

Flash Interview: Ira Sadoff

Ira Sadoff: The Poet's Gaze and Gift

Ira Sadoff, the Dana Professor of Poetry at Colby College, shares his views on poetry, teaching, and living a life steeped in literary creativity. His insights offer a window into the mind of a poet who finds richness in music, conversation, and the natural world, right down to the view from his studio on a hill overlooking the Kennebec River.

Poetry

Danny Rendleman's Observations of Life

Delve into the poetry of Danny Rendleman, whose work captures the essence of personal experiences and observations. From the reactive spider in "Bite" to the contemplative moods in "In Wartime," Rendleman's poetry resonates with anyone who has known loss or felt the pangs of solitude.

Dinah Berland: Weaving Emotion into Verse

Explore the heartfelt narratives Dinah Berland weaves in her poetry. "House of Lost Causes" and "Falling Out of Love" present layers of longing and the complexities of relationships, while "Exit Row" narrates an inner contemplation contrasting with the mundanity of travel.

Steven Rydman's Articulate Images

Rydman's poems, such as "At the Airport" and "La Fin du Monde," invite readers into scenes that meld the routine with the profound. His skillful imagery captures moments both luminous and dark, as life's experiences intertwine with travel's transience.

Jonathan Hayes and Athena Kildegaard: Diverse Poetic Voices

The varied forms and themes in the poetry of Jonathan Hayes and Athena Kildegaard offer a breadth of emotion and perspective. Hayes' "Like Eyes of the Tapster" and Kildegaard's "Fugue" unveil layers of meaning, encouraging multiple readings and reflections.

The Unique Lyricality of Joseph Lisowski & Rebecca Seiferle

With Lisowski's "Conscience Is Never Kind" and Seiferle's "The Warrior for Life," readers encounter lyrical journeys that challenge and inspire. These poets articulate their unique visions of existence, crafting verses that linger long after the page is turned.

Flash Fiction

Exploring Possibilities with Jnana Hodson

A snippet of life's magic unfolds in Jnana Hodson’s "Love Potion Tumbler Find," a story that takes us on a journey of romantic possibility and the unexpected encounters that can define or change us.

Photography

Visual Narratives by Peter Hobbs & Dong Soo Choi

The untitled photography of Peter Hobbs and Dong Soo Choi captures haunting moments suspended in time, offering visual echoes of the themes present in the zine's literary works. Their art underscores the power of imagery, both in word and photograph, to convey complex tales.

Bios

About the Contributors

Learn about the lives and previous works of Blaze's featured contributors. Teachers, critics, and award-winning writers and artists - these are the diverse voices behind the incisive poetry and fiction contained within this edition of Blaze.

Info & Submission Guidelines

Joining the Blaze Community

Blaze encourages submissions from both seasoned writers and those new to the literary scene. Detailed guidelines outline how to contribute poetry, flash fiction, photography, and more, fostering a growing community of voices and visions.

Editors, Links, Archives

Preserving the Past, Cultivating the Future

With a commitment to quality and continuity, the editorship of Blaze steers the publication into the future while honoring its roots. Archived works from Spring 2003 exemplify the enduring nature of the literary arts across time and change.