When I agreed to guest-edit a sci-fi edition of Failed Haiku, I had no idea what to expect. I wanted to see if there was a difference between science fiction senryu and science fiction haiku. And, wow, did Failed Haiku readers deliver! I read submission after submission, saying that’s great, that’s awesome, this is amazing, I love this so much. (You can ask my husband, I read your submissions aloud to him!) Science fiction senryu, in my opinion, is a strong poetic form in its own right, and Failed Haiku poets excel at it.

This issue has a dash of everything speculative – lots of aliens, black holes, tentacles, genetic drift, wayward algorithms, dragons (in space!), event horizons, multiverses, creepy bones, screaming beets, werewolves, symbionts, vampires, fractured fairy tales, and planets (even the demoted one). 

Enjoy the ride! Thanks for sharing your poems with me. And for those of you with previously unpublished sci-fi senryu in this issue, be sure to nominate your work for the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association’s Dwarf Stars Award in 2023. More info here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/dwarfstars.html

My thanks to Bryan, Kelly, and Mike for giving me the space to play. This was fun. 

Julie Bloss Kelsey

Guest Editor for Failed Haiku #74

CLICK HERE FOR ISSUE 74

ANNOUNCING THE RETURN OF ‘graceguts.com’ the wonderful site by Michael Dylan Welch. Almost lost due to a hosting issue it is back and completely reworked. CLICK HERE FOR ‘graceguts’

Also, Michael has added a site strictly relating to ‘Rengay’.CLICK HERE FOR ‘rengay’

Hi folks,

Well, it is now confirmed that my reverse shoulder replacement surgery will happen on Monday morning. This surgery is very common now and my surgeon and his team have performed it successfully many many times. I will be in the hospital a day or two and then home for the next two weeks doing almost nothing but my in-home rehab exercises. After that, I head into full rehab for six weeks. In six months I should have an almost full range of motion back and get back to normal activities fully for summer. It has been a painful few months, and COVID issues at the hospital (not me) have set back the surgery several times now. My heart is stable and my Doctors have stopped the crazy episodes I was experiencing, so that is great also. 

Although I will be in a sling for a couple of months, I will have use of my fingers and hands, but at a much slower pace on social media for some time as I recover. I will post some images when I get back home as ‘proof of life’, and no one should worry. I may be old and grey but I still have my piss and vinegar intact. 🙂

Abbey and Dae-Min (our cat) will be ordering me around and keeping an eye on me. All will be well.

Peace

Mike

PS You have two great co-editors who will take great care of you all, and I can’t wait to read your work as I heal. Thanks to Bryan and Kelly, and the guest editors who will be taking over!!!