THE CATCH NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2024
Our theme is the dove, reflecting the love-entrenched month of February and a search for peace through art. Below is artwork by Emily Oostwouder, a UNF alumna, as well as a monthly highlight by Hannah Frison. We have also included what some of the Talon members are reading now.
Lovebirds, 2024
Emily Oostwouder, UNF Class of 2022
Gouache, 9x12 in.
TALON UPDATE
This past Thursday, we had our first open-mic reading of the semester. Thank you to all who attended and read! Submissions will be closing in two weeks on Friday, March 8th. We have been enjoying reading all the submissions that have been coming in!
Monthly Highlight: J. Bradley
BY HANNAH FRISON
The highlight for this month is J. Bradley. J. Bradley is both a writer and cartoonist based out of Orlando, Fl. His literary work has been selected for a couple literary magazines such as the Matter Press and the Heavy Feather Review.
Bradley’s work, called “Cool Your Heart,” was very fascinating as it provided a fresh prospective on the art of dating. The micro fiction discusses the actions of a man who is prepping himself for a first date with a woman. However, the reflection from the mirror he practices in front of is sentient. The mirror man “traces the shape” of the woman and “cups the silhouette by its chin.” The mirror man shows the real man how to give the perfect kiss, but once the mirror mirror man (referenced in the piece as “mirror you”) begins to use his tongue, the real man turns away. In addition, the real man turns the light off so the mirror man won’t judge him for practicing his hello and his handshake.
I feel this symbolizes that the mirror man is who the real man aspires to be. He wishes he had the confidence to make out with a woman on the spot. Unfortunately, feeling the need to rehearse greetings reveals that he just wants to make a good impression, and that making out with a woman on the first date doesn’t seem feasible for him.
Finally, the last sentence basically shows the mirror man being disappointed in the real man. The mirror man already knows no matter how much tutelage he provides, the real man won’t “come home with a trophy of lipstick.” I think this metaphor is interesting, as it confirms the belief that making out with a woman is the ultimate achievement for the real man. Sure enough, it is revealed that the real man didn’t kiss her at all on the date. Part of me wonders why the man didn’t kiss her at all. Was it out of fear, self-control, or respect for the woman?
Read it here at: https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/in-a-flash/ (the 4th story)
What We’re Reading Now
Sera-Ann Hargrove: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
I recently read Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. It’s about a young woman who loses her grandmother, her last blood relative, and is taken in by her neighbors. It was such a beautiful reflection on grief and the aftermath of losing a loved one. One of my favorite sections was, “I was tied by blood to no creature in this world. I could go anywhere, do anything. It was dizzying. Suddenly, to see that the world was so large, the cosmos so black” (Yoshimoto 10).
Isa Blacutt: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I started reading this book because a dear friend of mine recommended it to me and said the book made her feel "hollow." Being a true angst enjoyer, I was sold immediately. I can say that so far, I've had to put the book down over five times because I cannot deal with my emotions when I read it. A nice quote from the book: "I nearly tripped over the heels of the boy in front of me, fearful of being left behind and lost” (33).
Hannah Frison: The Art of War h by Sun Tzu
I am interested in reading this book because I watch K-drama from time to time. One of my favorite K-dramas quoted from this book a lot, so I thought I would give it a read. The book is filled with traditional war tactics, which supposedly double as navigation tools for life.
Christine Roland: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
I just finished Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. It’s a story about childhood neglect, the struggles of being born with extraordinary gifts, and motherhood. A woman is asked by a childhood friend to nanny her estranged step children. The hook? The children can spontaneously combust. 5 stars.
Hailey Suarez: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
I love this series for its world building, intricate society, and political tension. It’s high-urban fantasy with amazing action and characters. I’ve been looking forward to its release for two years.
Julia Croston:
Crush by Richard Siken
I wanted to read this poetry collection, because “Wishbone” has become one of my favorite poems. So far, I have been captivated by Siken’s attention to the body and the obsessive nature of humans. From “Wishbone,” a line I often think of is, “If you love me, Henry, you don’t love me in a way I understand” (41). The collection captures the complexities of human emotions in a way I have not seen elsewhere. I am a big fan.