We’ve changed the format of the Formal Dead Mule School of Literature website, at deadmule.com and we’re mighty pleased. If…
Kathryn Stripling Byer, Three Poems
Kathryn Stripling Byer has not forgotten her southern roots. True, she is the current North Carolina Poet Laureate. True, she has received accolades and praise. True, she is very, very busy. But when the Mule contacted her, asking for poems. she promptly said, “yes,” because she is as southern and polite as we are.
These poems come from Byer’s new manuscript, more mountain women’s voices.
Alexandra Melnick: Blade Running in the South
In 1990, at a public lecture series on art in Los Angeles, three out of five leading urban planners agreed…
Robert Klein Engler, part III, The River Trilogy
Parts I and II III. UN BALLO IN MASCHERA. The Maori of New Zealand say you shouldn’t start a story…
James A. Autrey: The Lord’s Work
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and due to the divorce of my parents, went back and forth…
America the Beautiful
CL Bledsoe: Feeding the Fish
Another in our Series of Memoirs by Mule editor CL Bledsoe. Read on, my mule readers … read on. Feeding…
Dead Mule
… the mule is coming back, we loaded the newest Mule issues here on thedeadmule.wordpress.com and we’re pretty skippy proud…
Tom Sheehan: The Day I Grew Up
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I have appeared in your publication, spent a recent vacation in NC, read in NC, worked in Tennessee…
Carroll Leggett: sis claire
Southern Legitimacy Statement: To start with, I can’t find your so-called “Southern Legitimacy Statement” on this website, so you can just…
Nelson Lowhim: Journal of the Dead
Southern Legitimacy Statement: Writer and veteran. Born in Africa, currently live in Washington State. Oh, it doesn’t really end there, but…
Geoff Balme: Dizzy Looking Up
The sky was so high and so blue we got dizzy staring up at it. Contrails criss-crossed like giant, white,…
Paul Gilberry: The Iroquois King
Once we needed Christmas lights for a 4th of July party, so I went out to the shed, which was…
Reine Bouton: Moving On
My SLS: Native New Orleanian. Lover of family, jazz, grits, gumbo, Mardi Gras, porches, and Pimm’s Cup. Besides living…
Jake Ford: Sacrifice
Southern Legitimacy Statement (redux): ’m a fifth generation East Tennessean. I’ve cleared fields, dug post holes, chopped wood, and hauled hay.…
Eve Lyons: Don’t Mess With Texas
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Eve’s poetry can be found here on the Dead Mule. Don’t…
Allison Thorpe: Four Poems
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I’ve swallowed moonshine and lived to brag about it; escaped a copperhead’s randy tongue; ridden a tobacco setter…
Edward Lang: The Strange Case of David Lang
The Strange Case of David Lang I was named for my great-grandfather, David Lang. David has long been a source…
Matt Starr: Phoenix
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I’m so Southern that it’s literally the only thing I know how to write about. I was…
CL Bledsoe: Waiting for the Miracle
Another in our bi-weekly Series of Memoirs from Mule editor CL Bledsoe. His southern bona fides run deep, just read…
Jake Ford: The Sacrificial Llama
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I’m a fifth generation East Tennessean. I’ve cleared fields, dug post holes, chopped wood, and hauled hay.…
JL Myers: Martyrs
Southern Legitimacy Statement: Generations of men in my family proudly have the middle name Leroy, including myself. And all of…
Hannah Jane Pearson: The Sum Belongings of a Long-Time Collector
Southern Legitimacy Statement: Texan turned South Carolinian, I’ve been tailgating more than I’ve been kissed–but I get all the sugar…
CL Bledsoe: Three Stories about Hamlin, Arkansas
Southern Legitimacy Statement: CL Bledsoe grew up on a rice, cattle, and catfish farm in eastern Arkansas. He had a…
James Carbaugh: Ladies’ “Better” Dresses
Southern Legitimacy Statement: As a child I remember two bumper stickers that screamed out the following: “If your heart isn’t in…
Patrick Metoyer: From Where I Am
Southern Legitimacy Statement river town sleepy town cajuncreole spicy foods filé gumbo sultry air pop guns china berry trees joie…
