SurVision Magazine / Cassandra Atherton and Paul Hetherington

Valkyries

The TV's mute; the vase has grown a single eagle's
wing—long brown feathers flap like fingers against the
glass. Broken words flash neon on the floor. Valkyries are
riding on fires and storms over solar panels like grids for
Battleship. The Ancient Mariner's wedding guest sits on
the back of a long-necked albatross, strewing snow-like
down. The bird sprouts arrows like Saint Sebastian and
begins to speak in tongues. There's clattering on the roof
and antlers are reaching from your skull—nubs and rising
velvet branches. The vase flaps toward a strafing sky.

Mini-golf

1.
It's a twenty-four-minute walk to the mini-golf course from
their hotel. They stop for coffee and mussels at Macchiato.
The waiter calls it 'their booth' and he understands her
desire to buy an oversized t-shirt emblazoned with the
café's logo. She intends to wear it in their hotel room as
they cook something with truffle and pecorino. Or black
tiger prawns. It's humid and she imagines him plucking a
frangipani flower in Kent Street and tucking it behind her
ear. He will wear a green visor, choose a green golf ball
and hire a green-handled club. She will buy him a
margarita—not too strong. His first shot will see the ball
nestle next to the pin. She knows he'll win but she enjoys
the sweetness of reiteration.

2.
As they walk to the first hole, her big toe begins to
serenade the other players. Greensleeves or Lamento di
Tristano burst forth as they swing their clubs, the vibrato
making her toenail shake. A lake opens before their putters;
Lancelot and Guinevere are pursuing their tryst in silver
goblets of sunshine; Percival has his hands on the shining
grail. Her orange hair extends to her knees and he is
pressed into a suit of armour. A small white rodent scurries
past, singing "Foy Porter", but is pinned between flag and
hole, its tail whipping around the circumference. He hears
the tap of her feet, like a baton rapping on a music stand...

Cassandra Atherton and Paul Hetherington are Australian prose poets. They co-authored Prose Poetry: An Introduction (Princeton UP) and co-edited the Anthology of Australian Prose Poetry (Melbourne UP).

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An international online magazine that publishes Surrealist poetry in English. Issue Thirteen CASSANDRA ATHERTON and PAUL HETHERINGTON Valkyries The TV's mute; the vase has grown a single eagle's wing—long brown feathers flap like fingers against the glass. Broken words flash neon on the floor. Valkyries are riding on fires and storms over solar panels like grids for Battleship. The Ancient Mariner's wedding guest sits on the back of a long-necked albatross, strewing snow-like down. The bird sprouts arrows like Saint Sebastian and begins to speak in tongues. There's clattering on the roof and antlers are reaching from your skull—nubs and rising velvet branches. The vase flaps toward a strafing sky. Mini-golf 1. It's a twenty-four-minute walk to the mini-golf course from their hotel. They stop for coffee and mussels at Macchiato. The waiter calls it 'their booth' and he understands her desire to buy an oversized t-shirt emblazoned with the café's logo. She intends to wear it in their hotel room as they cook something with truffle and pecorino. Or black tiger prawns. It's humid and she imagines him plucking a frangipani flower in Kent Street and tucking it behind her ear. He will wear a green visor, choose a green golf ball and hire a green-handled club. She will buy him a margarita—not too strong. His first shot will see the ball nestle next to the pin. She knows he'll win but she enjoys the sweetness of reiteration. 2. As they walk to the first hole, her big toe begins to serenade the other players. Greensleeves or Lamento di Tristano burst forth as they swing their clubs, the vibrato making her toenail shake. A lake opens before their putters; Lancelot and Guinevere are pursuing their tryst in silver goblets of sunshine; Percival has his hands on the shining grail. Her orange hair extends to her knees and he is pressed into a suit of armour. A small white rodent scurries past, singing "Foy Porter", but is pinned between flag and hole, its tail whipping around the circumference. He hears the tap of her feet, like a baton rapping on a music stand... Cassandra Atherton and Paul Hetherington are Australian prose poets. They co-authored Prose Poetry: An Introduction (Princeton UP) and co-edited the Anthology of Australian Prose Poetry (Melbourne UP).
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