Alms for Oblivion

Overview

Alms for Oblivion is a 400-line quest poem, seeking the roots of inspiration, in which the protagonist is split in half—the "he" represents the rational, scientific mind; the "I" is a mystic romantic, deeply imbued with muse lore ranging from Fanny Brawne to Cerddwen to the Ur-poet Enheduanna's goddess Inanna. New World and Old World mythologies are intertwined. Eventually, the split protagonist reintegrates and finds that both sides are seeking the same thing.

Author Biography

Bryce Milligan is an award-winning author, teacher, book designer, editor, anthologist, publisher and singer/songwriter. He is also a luthier, sculptor, occasional artist, and rare book collector. Milligan is the author of four historical novels for young adults, five collections of poetry and one of recorded songs, six produced one-act plays, and over 2,000 articles, chapters, introductions and reviews. He was the founding editor of two literary magazines, Pax: A Journal for Peace through Culture and Vortex: A Critical Review. He has also edited nearly twenty books, including the anthologies Daughters of the Fifth Sun: A Collection of Latina Fiction and Poetry (Putnam/Riverhead, 1995) and ¡Floricanto Sí! A Collection of Latina Poetry, (Penguin, 1998). Recent publications include two illustrated children’s books, Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story (Eerdmans Publishing, 2002) and The Prince of Ireland and the Three Magic Stallions (Holiday House, 2003). Milligan’s poetry includes: Daysleepers & Other Poems (1984), Litany Sung at Hell’s Gate (1990), From Inside the Tree (1990), Working the Stone (1993), and Alms for Oblivion (2003). A CD of his songs will be released in 2011. www.brycemilligan.com