The HyperTexts

About The HyperTexts

The HyperTexts is an on-line poetry journal with a simple goal: to showcase the best poetry, literary prose and art available to us. We are not a "formal" journal or a "free verse" journal; we simply publish the best poetry we can find. We ask our poets to provide us with their career-defining work (that is, career-defining in their opinion, not someone else's); thus, most of our poems have been published elsewhere. While other poetry journals seem to quail at the thought of their poems having been read before, we sincerely doubt that anyone has ever been harmed by reading good poems more than once.

Editor in Arrears

Michael R. Burch has been published over 1,300 times in literary journals and sundry publications around the globe. His poetry appears at the bottom of the Contemporary Poets section, befitting, he says, his station in life and the arts.

Something

―for the children of the Holocaust and Gaza

Something inescapable is lost—
lost like a pale vapor curling up into shafts of moonlight,
vanishing in a gust of wind toward an expanse of stars
immeasurable and void.

Something uncapturable is gone—
gone with the spent leaves and illuminations of autumn,
scattered into a haze with the faint rustle of parched grass
and remembrance.

Something unforgettable is past—
blown from a glimmer into nothingness, or less,
and finality has swept into a corner where it lies
in dust and cobwebs and silence.

Poet in Residuum

T. Merrill is THT's official Poet in Residuum. This is a mysterious office.

Come Lord and Lift

Come Lord, and lift the fallen bird
   Abandoned on the ground;
The soul bereft and longing so
   To have the lost be found.

The heart that cries—let it but hear
   Its sweet love answering,
Or out of ether one faint note
   Of living comfort wring.

Editor in Exile

Iqbal Tamimi is THT's Editor in Exile. She is a Palestinian poet displaced by Israel's grotesque system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing who now lives in England. She has been of invaluable assistance to THT in our search for work by Palestinian poets and artists.

Murdered by my own ink

The ports of my papers,
are fields of uncertainties.
I plant my anchor
to secure my old face
while it ages toward oblivion.
My dream is stretching
between a place
under the umbrella of the wind,
and
an illusion under the rain.
The distance
is . . . too far
to arrest the dead man,
who crucified me
in a hideous, unthinkable moment.
I am just a number within an army
of unlucky ones,
killed by the poison of their own ink,
and the stupidity of their own fingers,
slaughtered by despair.
Our traps
race us in our sleep,
to attend a wedding
between the rain and the desert.
Our pains . . . twitter
While we assassinate ourselves,
hoping some one;
not one of us
will rise
to write a better dirge
while watching the skittering feet of the poor
following their own footprints,
forgetting the phantoms behind,
to the side,
on some other route,
swarming with the dust of honor,
as we abandon our bevy
to increase our number
by . . . one.
Book Publisher

Joe Ruggier has published a number of books by THT poets. He is, or should be, world-renowned for having sold over 20,000 books by peddling his wares door-to-door.

Essayist

Jeffrey Woodward has written a number of essays for THT's "Blasts from the Past" series.

Contributors of Special Note

We would like to especially thank the following poets for their numerous contributions and sage advice to THT over the years: Peter Austin, Bill Carlson, Rhina Espaillat, Zyskandar Jaimot, Yala Korwin, Tony Marco, Richard Moore, Mary Rae, Joe Salemi, Harvey Stanbrough, and V. Ulea (Vera Zubarev).

Submissions

We do not accept unsolicited submissions, but poets are welcome to query Mike Burch through Facebook (he is the only Mike Burch wearing a tie and glasses with round lenses, so he's easy to spot). Or if you know poets published by THT, you can ask them to introduce you to Mike Burch, via email or snail mail.

What people "in the know" are saying about The HyperTexts . . .

Thanks for having my poems on The HyperTexts ... It is one of my proudest publications. — Paul Stevens, poet and editor of The Chimaera, Shit Creek Review and The Flea.

 Mike, I just want to communicate to you how much I admire and respect the course you have taken in promoting — especially to poetry readers and poets — the cause of peace and justice. Your credentials are impeccable, and your championship of the oppressed in the twin evil situations of the Holocaust and the Nakba is truly inspirational. You are a chivalrous person and a good man! Regards, and a salute — Paul Stevens

Dear Michael B, Your site is the only place I have ever been on the Internet. Looking through literary magazines listed, poets, and comments, not to mention the beautiful opening graphic, I'm just amazed ..." — Jean Mellichamp Milliken, editor of The Lyric

"As I told one of our members, The HyperTexts reads like a 'Who's Who' in contemporary poetry today!" — Michael Morton, Director of the Net Poetry & Arts Competition

This [The HyperTexts] is Michael Burch's site, a fine uncluttered place to visit and contemplate mostly New Formalist poets of the first order. Poets and poems are added about once a month, so the site is worth putting on your regular circuit. – Edge City Review, edited by Terry Ponick

You have a BEAUTIFUL website . . . And have given many a beautiful page to so many fine poets. Let me thank you wholeheartedly for all of us who know the value of literary magazines of all sorts. — Jim Barnes, poet and editor of The Chariton Review

"Been reading The HyperTexts again the last few days, and I gotta say, you have an amazing site. I'm still combing the web for quality stuff for Carnelian and I don't see much of anything that tops your people. Not even Able Muse." — Allen Heinrich, poet and editor of Carnelian

The HyperTexts is a terrific site, one which more than any other I've come across reflects my own tastes and sympathies. — James Bobrick, poet

The HyperTexts ... is, in my humble opinion, the Internet's absolute best poetry-related website. — Melanie Houle, poet

THT is getting to be one of the really grand old poetry sites. Congratulations on all the good work! — Richard Moore, poet

I'm very impressed with the work and research you did on the [Nadia Anjuman] article.  The picture of her is wonderfully defiant. — T. S. Kerrigan, poet

You have an unerring eye for what's best in my verse. — T. S. Kerrigan

... thanks for the great site, will visit it often ... — Tom Ball, Global Country of World Peace

"Rhina Espaillat just told me about this site ... and it is wonderful! I am very grateful to you and everyone else who works on the site for putting together such a thorough representation of contemporary poetry and the work of the masters. It's like an online Formalist, and that is a very high compliment from me, as that was my favorite journal for many years. — Jeff Holt, poet

"A FANTASTIC SITE. I was very impressed with the layout and the content." — Miriam Stanley, editor of Rogue Scholars

The HyperTexts . . . aims to make available the best poems of contemporary writers to more classic material from across the canon of English poetry . . . the site also includes critical essays, articles and interviews. Classifying material under headings such as 'Esoterica', 'Rock Jukebox', Mysterious Ways', and 'Thanksgiving', the tone of the site is dynamic and challenging. The site is likely to be of interest to writers and literature students looking for an upbeat approach to poetry. There are also themed items offering philosophical insights through quotations, full poems and reflections. These are balanced by critical appreciations of featured poems and discussions on style and form. Online since November 2001, an archive is available, containing a comprehensive range of material. The site is user friendly, includes links and makes use of frames. — Intute "best of the web" article by Elaine and Dr. Bella Kogan

The HyperTexts is the Web site for the online poetry journal which aims to make available the best poems from the work of contemporary writers to more classic material from across the canon of poetry in English. Edited by Michael R. Burch ... the site also includes critical essays, articles and interviews. Classifying material under headings such as: 'Esoterica', 'Rock Jukebox', Mysterious Ways', and 'Thanksgiving', the tone of the site is dynamic and challenging. The site is likely to be of interest to writers and literature students looking for an upbeat approach to poetry. There are also themed items offering philosophical insights through quotations, full poems and reflections. These are balanced by critical appreciations of featured poems and discussions on style and form. Online since November 2001, an archive is available, containing a comprehensive range of material. The site is user friendly, includes links and makes use of frames. — Humbul Humanities Web

Paul Sonntag's "Uncle Flatboot" Review of The HyperTexts can be read by clicking here. Here's a quick excerpt: The HyperTexts is, beyond anything else, a place for people who love poetry just for the sheer magic of the language and who have no interest in literary taxonomy restricting their reading to narrow genres or schools. The HyperTexts is a bit like a shelf of battered books in a cozy little coffee shop you've just discovered. You know the scene: it's raining buckets outside, you don't have anywhere to go or anything else to do for the rest of the day, and the place is deserted except for you and the heavy-lidded barista. You get your cuppa, stake out a fat, threadbare easy chair and start digging ...

Laurel Johnson's review of The HyperTexts for Midwest Book Review can be read by clicking here. Here's an excerpt: Visiting The HyperTexts turned out to be an exhilarating and enlightening adventure. The site is easy to navigate and positively loaded with memorable poetry and essays ... I found gems written by past poetic masters and new, compelling offerings from contemporary poets ...

So nice of you to drop me a line and pass on the information [about the addition of Alfred Noyes's "The Highwayman" to THT's Masters page]. The world needs more with your generous and caring spirit. The fact that you take the time to put the poetry up for others to enjoy and your willingness to communicate on points such as this speaks volumes about your values and character. You are a gentleman sir!  — Noel Paton

I continue to send people to your The HyperTexts web site and periodically check it out myself. Having my poems there has been a highlight of the past year for me. — George Held, poet

"Rhina P. Espaillat ... told me about The HyperTexts a little while back, but I did not have the opportunity to visit your website at any length until today. Let me say that I am astounded by the depth and quality of what I find there! It's an electronic poetry library second to none. I teach a poetry writing workshop at the Writer's Voice of the West Side YMCA in Manhattan, and I definitely will direct my students to your site in the future." — Lee Slonimsky, poet

Ethna Carbery — what a wonderful lyric discovery! Never heard of her (maybe Yeats' presence as a contemporary has overshadowed her) ... what I've read is terrific. — Tony Marco, poet

I have just read the poems of T. Merrill; this is an extraordinarily beautiful page. His poems make me cry, some are so full of the pain of one's own silent feelings. His photographs and art are stunning. I am so pleased to have read him here, so glad in the way of all things wonderful that he found your site and you found him. I cannot say enough, so instead I will say too little. As I have said before, this is truly a beautiful web site, you should be very proud of it. — Mist (a mysterious reader we're very pleased and blessed to have)

... I like what you've been doing with Mysterious Ways and Grace Notes and the THT site altogether. (Fascinating Dickinson meditations a great addition.) Terrific poets being added all the time — I've certainly never come across a finer poetry e-zine/anthology. Keep up the fine work! — Tony Marco, poet

Read your Thanksgiving page on your site (which just keeps getting better and better) and was really touched by the integration of text and feeling and vision. Kudos to you for that magnificent presentation. — Michael Bennett, poet

What a delightful and touching tribute to "The Gipper." It's a shame more people can't be less political and recognize the enormous gifts this man left us. — Moore (Mike) Moran, poet

"The HyperTexts [is a] beautiful internet poetry site." — Rhina Espaillat, in a letter to Norman Kraeft

"People have asked me how this invite [to read at the Library of Congress] happened to come my way, and I tell them it’s probably because a few years ago, when I was just venturing onto the web, I got a big helping hand from a gentleman named Michael Burch." — Jared Carter, THT Featured Poet

[Jared Carter is far too generous and far too modest: obviously it's his outrageous talent and stellar craftsmanship that got him invited to read at the Library of Congress. But THT is a good place to peddle one's wares, if one happens to be a poet, and we do show up number one in Google searchers for many of the poets we publish, making THT a good "launch point" for poets seeking ever-widening orbits. — MRB]

As usual, your piece on Thanksgiving inspired me and lifted my spirits ... I was also deeply touched by the story of Staff Sgt. Olson and his buddies. How I wish my dear cousin Tommy could have celebrated an Alive Day, but was gunned down by a sniper in Viet Nam in 1968. Thank you for your wonderful website. — Catherine Chandler, poet

You are my first choice for on-line publication. — Carolyn Raphael, poet

"[Makoto] Fujimura was a great read, and I very much enjoyed your piece on [Ronald] Reagan. You yourself deserve kudos for keeping up such a great and detailed site — I always enjoy browsing and reading The HyperTexts." — Tara Elliott, poet and co-editor of Triplopia, on-line at www.triplopia.com

"I paid a visit to The HyperTexts tonight and see that your excellent work continues, adding artists to the growing list of contemporary poets. Curious, I clicked on Ronald Reagan. Sure 'nuff, the man was a poet, more of a versifier — a graceful one, it turns out — and that counts too. I have mixed feelings about R.R. I did pay attention to his passing, which was also the passing of a certain optimism and genteel America in the 20th Century, the "American" Century, that is now history. You have undoubtedly written one of the finest tributes to the man and president. With luck, it will end up in his library! I have one personal recollection. I used to work at the tip of Manhattan near the helicopter pad where the President landed when he paid a visit to NYC. One day, I happened to catch a glimpse of President Reagan waving from the window of his limo as his motorcade headed uptown. Unaccountably, I waved back." — Hudson Owen, poet

"Mutual friend Rhina Espaillat e-mailed me on Friday . . . I am going to explore the Internet to find The HyperTexts, a poetry site about which Rhina waxes ecstatic . . . and she doesn't 'ecstacize' easily!." — Norman Kraeft, in a letter to THT editor Michael R. Burch

"Last couple of days, have been glancing at poets I hadn't previously read on THT. Gotta say ... you've put together an extraordinarily high quality site! ... I've yet to find one with THT's consistency of excellence." — Tony Marco, poet

"What an answer to a formalist poet's prayer!" — Norman Kraeft

"The Hypertexts has provided me with so much inspiration and beauty already that I also wanted to thank you for your admirable and far-reaching work." — Terese Coe

"Last night I visited the handsome HyperTexts once again. What an attractive publication!" — Deborah Warren, poet
"Dear Michael Burch—What a pleasure to make connection with you. Never read anything about the current situation with poetry which makes any more sense." — Jack Butler, poet
"I continue to turn to your anthology for the delight of reading other writers. Thanks for all the careful attention you have given it." — Jan Schreiber, poet

"On The HyperTexts you can read William Blake or Wilfred Owen alongside Richard Moore and Leo Yankevich, and build your own bridges from the past to the present. There is always something new on the site, and the visitor will always encounter thought-provoking, beautiful poetry. Well worth the visit. — Mary Rae, poet and editor of Romantics Quarterly

"Like your choice for featured poet [Harvey Stanbrough]. How wonderful that you keep turning up and promoting such exquisite quality, month after month! — Tony Marco, poet

"I'm so impressed with all the talent you've added to the website! Truly, it's an oasis in the desert." — Jennifer Reeser, poet

"Mike, looks great! Thrilling I'd even go so far as to say. Other than my two books this is the most satisfying transference from private to public page I've experienced to date. Thanks so much." — R. Nemo Hill, poet

"I have been reading the poems and commentary on your marvelous website. What you have done is most impressive. I was pleased to see so many fine writers featured in your pages." — Jared Carter, poet

"What you run is hardly a 'small journal,' but one of the best literary resources on the internet. I tell everyone about it, and brag about being on it." — Rhina Espaillat, poet

"Wonderful site you have. I learned about it thru Eratosphere and I have to say I am much impressed with what I've been reading. Thank you for the obvious care you take in selecting your poets and poetry." — Laura Heidy, poet

"I've just visited the site—after a long time away from the internet altogether, because I've been up to the ears in projects, paperwork, translations and houseguests!—and I want to tell you how lovely it is, and how unfailingly interesting and instructive it remains. The addition of new work by Yala [Korwin], and the use of the photograph to accompany one of her poems, are great assets to the site and one more gift you've given the reading public." — Rhina Espaillat, poet

The HyperTexts