Pictures. Words. Perceptions.

We're publishing late. We're really, honestly and truly, late. If we were a sexally active female of child bearing age, we'd be picking out cribs. And because we're clever too, we'd be hanging a mobile off that Deer Head up there as we perched it over the head of the crib.

We're SORRY, oh-kay? Really and truly sorry. Although not nearly as much as we are really and truly late. We have excuses, and very good ones. For a list of excuses, please read our Deliberate Nonsense section. We've put them there, because we know what people say about excuses; and in a month or two it will be old news anyway.

Getting down to the business at hand (speaking of excuses) you'll notice that our Cluster Map has been archived and a new one is up. Exciting! Yes. And ... here is the poem that goes with our latest visual (keeping up with the theme):

Oh marvelous techno map--
We adore thy little red dots
You bring us joy
Whether we're ready
or not.

Each one sees what he carries in his heart. ~ Goethe

Deer Head,

We regret the need to display you in front of the store window, but with the economy being what it is, we thought something lively (or life-like, at least) might help. (Though this has not yet been the case, our hopes remain high.)

Our considered opinion is that your heroic pose lends an air of panache and depth to the current publication (Ekphrasmagoria: Our Issue with Image) and will be an excellent headliner (no offense) for the art-inspired poetry and prose featured this quarter (in our Front View and Rear View sections as usual). Of course there is that unfortunate business with the beads. If they weren't Lalos grandmother's we'd have cut them from your antlers, but you know how emotional poets get. Besides, they don't look that bad.

Also, we are aware you may not be comfortable with the velvet cape (and fringed shawl-skirt). We'd have put a tie on you if your neck weren't so large, and frankly, furry. (Shaving your head didn't seem to make much of a difference.) The standard sized ties are, as you may know, of the one-size-fits-all variety. They just weren't intended for wild game, apparently. Still, we suspect the cape will remain; Joe, the UPS guy whose suggestion it was, says, quote: "Haw haw haw, it's like a cape buffalo, only it's a cape white-tail.

Our intent is to continue polling our customers in regard to which costume combination is most eye-catching. Oh, and speaking of eyes, Uncle Clem (our taxidermist and cleaning product supplier) has agreed to replace the ones he first put in once his shipment of lizard eyes arrives. We can't wait!

Sincerely,
The Hiss Quarterly Staff

P.S. Uncle Clem says he's sorry for misplacing your original horns. We apologize for the cutting-off-your-head thing, as well.

P.P.S. Don't forget to check out our Deliberate Nonsense section!

P.P.P.S. We're delighted to add that this quarter's THQ Award goes to the worthy crew of Thick With Conviction for their quarterly poetry journal.

FEATURED POET Kristine Ong Muslim

Our Production Editor, Sydney, took the cover shot for this issue. Clearly, she has issues. Although, we do agree the subject is weird enough to warrent a thought or two. Maybe even a thousand words.

Each of the pieces found here in this issue of THQ is the reason for the season. We'd like to make that very clear. The artist bio and any further information regarding the picture, it's source, etc. is clearly marked with each piece as either a pop up when you hover over it, or below it if necessary. Thanks.

We are STILL especially pleased with All Posters (dot) Com and their marvelous "blog this picture" utility. Kudo's to Companies who understand the world of art on the internet, and offer such advertising capabilities.
This doesn't negate the fact that we certainly understand how important © or Trademark Laws are. Which is why we play by the rules!