The so-called resolution season, when the past year’s stories—regardless of themes, style, or content—are expected to work towards some kind of conclusion in preparation for the new page-turn.
Amusing. Hilarious.
Deluded.
What have I learned from the past year?
Simple: chaos reigns; order is secondary.
There are no neat conclusions. Sometimes you have to let the loose ends flap in the wind for the music they will make.
POSTCRIPT: “To those in the struggle we say: stay strong. And if you cannot stay strong: stay.” — from The Crossing, an editorial in the twelfth issue of Doek! Literary Magazine.
READ—Books, collections, anthologies, and graphic novels: The Magic Order Vol. 1, 2, 3, and 4 by Mark Miller | Long-form nonfiction: “Storycraft: The Short Story”, “The Short Story: Narrativa”, “On Mourning, Forgiveness, And Jobu Tupaki” by Junot Diaz (Storyworlds) | Poetry: “What Lesbian Porn Has Done For Me” by Destiny O. Birdsong (Poetry Foundation) • “In Jerusalem” by Mahmoud Darwish (Poetry Foundation) • “A Mighty Pulverising Machine” by Laura Da’ (Poetry Foundation) • “War Machines Dress Up As Drag Queens” by Mohammed El-Kurd (Poetry Foundation) • “Our Lady Of The Westside” by Antonio López (Poetry Foundation) • “I Swear I See Skulls Coming” by Mukoma Wa Ngugi (Poetry Foundation) • “My Grandfather And Home” by Mosab Abu Toha (Poetry Foundation) | Visual art: “Solitude” by Luigi Arnat (Doek!) • Index I, II, III, and IV by Emmanuel Iduma (Tender Photo) | WATCH—Documentary: The Soba Master Hand-Making Some Of The World’s Most Difficult Noodles (2023) • What’s Inside This Crater In Madagascar? (2023) • Why Israel Has So Many Palestinian Prisoners (2023) | Film: Entergalactic (2022) • Predestination (2014) | Series and miniseries: Beef (2023) • House Of Cards, season 1, 2, 3, and 4 (2013) • Slow Horses, season 1, 2, and 3 (2023) | LISTEN—Music, podcasts, and playlists: “Brutus” (original and instrumental version) by The Buttress • “Feel” (original, orchestral, and live version) and “Unavailable” by Davido • “Anxiety” by Sleepy Hallow featuring Doeiichi • “Maphupho Fezeka by French Fuse, Zandimaz, and Onset Music • “Jacob And The Stone” and “Jacob’s Prayer” by Emile Mosseri” • “Babel” by Gustavo Santaolalla • “Cold Outside” by Timaya featuring Buju • “Waloyo Yamoni (We Overcome The Wind)” by Christopher Tin featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Angel City Chorale, Prima Vocal Ensemble, the Lucis Choir, and the Soweto Gospel Choir • “Guitar Theme” by Christopher Young | PLAY: God of War (2022) | TRY: the triple R treatment—rest, relaxation, and reflection.