Review of this Erie, Pa. Lit Mag

Bathtub Gin. Issue 18. (POBOX 178 Erie, Pa. 16512) Pathwisepress.hotmail.com http://www.pathwisepress.com

$5.

I got my review copy of “Bathtub Gin,” in the mail recently. The poetry here is not the standard fare, and some of us more conventional types may find it difficult. William Meyer, Jr.’s poem: “The Death of Poetry” looks at what the poet sees as the rise and fall of “Poetry” magazine: the well-endowed, and stuffy mandarin of literary magazines; with visceral, and evocative language:

“Today Poetry reports the news like Paul Harvey/chewing up the words of war and spitting pabulum/into near deaf ears. No transparent eyeball here--”

There are also short stories offered up, as well as intriguing abstract art. The cover art “Fluffy Kitten,” is by two and half year old Wheeler McMahon. From what I can see the kid’s a budding Jackson Pollack. “Bathtub Gin” includes one of the better “Letters to the Editor,” sections I’ve seen, and a commendable book review section. I was also interested to find out that Christopher Harter is going to publish (through Scarecrow Press): “An Author Index to Little Magazines--The 1960’s-70’s.”

So there is more to Erie, PA then the canal--there is also a thriving small press!

Doug Holder/ Ibbetson Update/ April 2006/Somerville, Mass.