From the Empirical Archives: Cold Lesson by Travis Laurence Naught

Cold Lesson

Travis Laurence Naught

Originally published in the January 2013 issue of Empirical

Late last night we pulled in to a cold and snowy parking lot

The chains on the tires had to come off as we approached the dry freeway after a long day of off-road
cavorting through 12 inches of fresh powder

It was an ominous feeling with the 22 degree air pressing in against the van heaters blasting on high next
to a road carrying no vehicles, threatening to overtake the warm blowing ventilation before the task of
removal was complete

Stillness was the predominant feeling produced on the night as not even a coyote was howling at the
Moon in such freezing temperatures

Yard lights spread far apart cast a steady though uneven glow to work by

Mental images of maniacal fiends set on manslaughter intermingled with the equally terrifying images of
Dad falling over from a heart attack

Mind racing in absurd and fearful thought such as this whenever a quiet moment caused by a
concentrated warming work pause was taken because the first signs of frostbite numbing effect were
nipping at his exposed extremities

But the job only took 10 minutes and his fingers were spared and my irrational emotions left me feeling
internally ashamed yet again

Because while life can be cruel, I always seem to get by

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From the Empirical Archives: Drought Conditions by Travis Laurence Naught

Drought Conditions

Travis Laurence Naught

Originally published in the December 2012 issue of Empirical

Mouths take thoughts and juice them like rocks to create just enough residual moisture to make it
through the cactus lined desert.

Oranges would make better fare, especially mixed with strawberries and bananas in a blender with ice
to cool down the internal fire that drives these thirsty words, but those are not available in Washington
State any more . . . only Florida.

Put some in the mail and see if the miles dehydrate through evaporation process soaked envelopes sent
with the intent to keep a person healthy during unavoidable downtimes that are borderline required to
process all of the new information gathered.

Given that everything is even and those distances still provide a satiated feeling unlike any found at the
bottom of beer bottles, gin and tonics as well as so many other mixed beverages, then there is no
reason to quit pulling frustrated suckles.

Mental pebbles are not the same as a refreshing in person drink, but sometimes lying to oneself by
tasting the spit off of gravel is enough to get by.

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From the Empirical Archives: Cycling by Travis Laurence Naught

Cycling

Travis Laurence Naught

Originally published in the November 2012 issue of Empirical

Rotating circles

                   Earth revolves around the sun

                                                Forever spinning

Earth revolves around the sun

                             Forever spinning

                                                Rotating circles

Forever spinning

                   Rotating circles

                                      Earth revolves around the sun

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Book Review: The Virgin Journals by Travis Laurence Naught

Review of The Virgin Journals by Travis Laurence Naught

Travis Laurence Naught first caught my attention because he submitted poetry to Empirical. His work has appeared in the November 2012 issue, the January 2013 issue, which are also available in the Best of Empirical 2012. We are pleased to be publishing more of his poetry later in 2013.