Back in 2012, a couple things worth mentioning took place: first, the Higgs Boson was discovered; second, Jeannine Hall Gailey was a Featured Poet here on Atticus Review. I mention that because fans of Jeannine’s poetry know that, thankfully, I’m not the only science geek in this business. So this month, exactly (well, give or take a few days) four years later, we’re pleased to welcome Jeannine back for another round of concealed weapons, forged passports, and lovelorn anti-heroes set against the backdrop of planetary conjunctions and Roswell conspiracies.

I’ve been a big fan of Jeannine’s work for many years, but even more than her poems’ capacity for humor and wild imagination, what draws me to her work are those occasional moments of startling tenderness, as exemplified by Grieving. She’s also a poet who can turn a line like nobody else. If it’s proof you seek, check out the first stanza of “Introduction to Spy Narrative as Love Story.” Then keep reading, because alignments of Gailey and Atticus are rare events, and well worth treasuring.

SELECTED WORKS:

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Introduction to Spy Narrative as Love Story 

Intro to Spy Narrative

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Introduction to Conspiracy Theories

Intro to Conspiracy Theories

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Lessons in Emergency

Lessons in Emergency

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As Venus and Jupiter Converge, We Fall Apart

As Venus and Jupiter Converge

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Grieving

Grieving

 

For photo credits, click through to the poem.