The Joshua Tales
The Joshua Tales by Andra Simons, £9
Andra Simons‘ debut collection is a startling and magical poetry sequence. A poet and his shadow – in the form of a boy-child called Joshua – board a plane to uncover who they are in the universe. Poetic fables start on an abandoned mid-Atlantic isle and journey to the Oval Office, to a brief meeting with God, and to the dining tables of aunts and uncles, lunatics, jazz singers and whores. This is a rich tale full of wit and allegory about life on a small island, about discovering the world beyond its shores and, ultimately, about returning home. The poems have a precision and mystery that are mirrored in Kendra Ezekiel’s meditative collagraphs.
Order a copy of The Joshua Tales here.
“Throughout the book, the tensions between the individual and history will visibly divide the page, yet collide upon it.” Sophie Mayer, Chroma arts blog
Read an extract from The Joshua Tales
Joshua Meets the President of the USA
Auntie and uncle took Joshua on a trip to America (on different planes of course) and left him in Washington. He had a colour TV ticket to the White House and a Pocarojan passport.
The President showed him his square penis in the oval office and in their secret said: “I’m going to fuck you now… in red in white in blue minutes”
Joshua, a student of diplomacy, pulled down his star stripped pants and showed him his tongue where his little round penis once grew. The President wanted to negotiate treaties. Joshua licked the President’s asshole instead*.
*Note: Joshua returned home sick; the doctors suggest he shouldn’t ave drank the water.
About Andra Simons
Andra Simons is a Bermudian writer and performer living in London. He is recipient of both the Bermuda Gold Award and the Golden Inkwell for his poetry and plays. Andra has published and performed in Canada, the Caribbean, the UK, Bermuda, and the US. Visit him here.
