CHAPBOOK NEWS: Thomas Fucaloro's 'Depression Cupcakes'
We are absolutely thrilled to announce we will be publishing Thomas Fucaloro's chapbook "Depression Cupcakes" in June/July 2016. The book will be designed by our YP Designer Ted Chevalier.
Here is a poem from his forthcoming book:
I wrote you a poem
It’s all I could do
Your depression is a single chrysanthemum
that blooms brighter and stronger everyday.
They say it’s a disease. They say it’s the result
of the society we live in. They say it’s a chemical
imbalance. They say anti-depressants can help.
They say anti-depressants help cure depression
because your body gets tricked into thinking
it’s working because your brain feels good.
They say street drugs can’t help. They say
street drugs can still help in causing depression
because your body gets tricked into thinking
it’s working because your brain feels good.
Well I say purple petunias to all of that.
They say therapy or just talking to someone can help.
I believe that.
Talking with someone
helps create
infinite connections
softens the heart
daisy’d
miraculous.
Talking with someone whether therapist or friend
or family or lover is a symbol of sharing.
You know what else is a symbol of sharing?
Giving someone a flower.
Flowers are a simple way of providing emotional health
triggering joyful emotions on the lapel of the sun.
The ivy around your throat
can be that single red rose of a voice
set in light, hope, motion—
The jasmine-lemon blossom-lily of laurel-lotus-orchids
will sing chimes so pure you will not only gain a voice
but you will harbor an island within your chest
and a small lifeboat to paddle you to every beautiful
crescent emotion imaginable.
I’m not saying flowers can cure depression
but it sure can be a purplish/blue honeysuckle
of a start.
I didn’t write you a poem.
I wrote you a garden.
Thomas Fucaloro is an NYC poet and editor for Great Weather for Media. He is the author of two Three Rooms Press poetry collections, Inheriting Craziness is Like a Soft Halo of Light and It Starts from the Belly and Blooms. He has been on two National Slam Teams and received his MFA in creative writing at the New School. He lives in Staten Island.
Ted Chevalier lives in Brooklyn, New York. He currently works as a Senior Multimedia Designer at Sales Graphics, where he manages projects for companies such as A&E Networks, Western Union and Disney. He received his BFA in graphic design at School of Visual Arts, with a minor in motion graphics. Ted is also the Web Editor and Digital Designer for Yes, Poetry. He often freelances design and illustration projects, having worked for musicians such as The Slackers and 100dBs. More can be found at his website.
