The Poison Pie Publishing House presents:

August 1, 2021
On the following morning, Periboea descended from her aerie stiff but vigilant. As she moved from one bromeliad to another, she contemplated what a proper warrior would choose as her next move. Should she reconnoiter the area around the temple in order to identify a path of entry that skirted the sentries along the channel? Or, should she first attend to the matter of a weapon? Her thoughts lingered futilely on the missing knife. Guards or no, it was irretrievably lost in the deep, dark waters. No answer immediately presented itself as she wandered in the early morning mist.

written while listening to:  Dragons (Alexandra Grimal, Jozef Dumoulin, Nelson Veras & Dré Pallemaerts) - Heliopolis (self-released, no catalog #, 2018, France, cd, discogs.com)

August 2, 2021
Fallen branches presented themselves as pitiful substitutes for a weapon. Most were covered with a coat of moss and rotten within. Periboea picked up one water-logged stick, roughly the length of a Raoul's rapier, and judged its unwieldy weight in her hands. She imagined the trunk of a nearby tree as an advancing assailant. She swung the stick, as if striking her adversary, only to have it snap feebly at the point of impact. The turtle-woman would not regard her, armed in this manner, as a worthy foe. A chorus of crickets chittered their agreement.

written while listening to:  Tomeka Reid & Filippo Monico - The Mouser (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1081, 2019, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 3, 2021
Intent on proving to herself that her encounter at the canal was not a failure but rather an ordinary setback to be expected of one engaged in the business of beast-slaying, Periboea ventured back to the temple. The nocturnal guards would be asleep at this hour, she told herself. In any case, she would give the canal a wide berth and approach the building from the other side. As for a weapon, she would use stealth to appropriate one at the first opportunity. A small water-fowl foraging in reedy shallows cocked its head and wondered momentarily who the stranger sought to impress with this foolhardy show of bravado.

written while listening to:  Susan Alcorn & Phillip Greenlief - Prism Mirror Lens (VG+ Records, VG+ 002, 2019, United States, lp, discogs.com)

August 4, 2021
Her resolve was soon tested for she found herself more lost than she had supposed. She exhausted the morning without sign of the canal or temple, her progress marked only by irritated squawks when she disturbed one resident or another. She resorted to consulting with the markings on trees to get her bearings, taking into account, of course, their intention to mislead. Still, she encountered naught but the unbroken mire extending in all directions. She considered it a minor triumph to detect a pitfall set by the cultists. Skirting the trap, she left it untriggered in order to hide her passage.

written while listening to:  Jason Moran, Mary Halvorson & Ron Miles - Bangs (Yes Records, no catalog #, 2018, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 5, 2021
Shall we claim that the swamp itself conspired to deprive Periboea of the opportunity to display her courage? Certainly, as the sun set at the end of a long day of fruitless wandering, our heroine attributed her disorientation to a conscious will set against her. Perhaps the same god that had tasked the custodian with mopping up the swamp had an equally impossible end planned for her. At the notion that she might merit divine attention, a bitter laughed escaped her, startling a marsh warbler already settled for the night.

written while listening to:  Nate Wooley, Ingrid Laubrock, Sylvie Courvoisier & Matt Moran - Battle Pieces (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1031, 2015, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 6, 2021
So sour was Periboea's mood that the majesty of the nocturnal voices in concert barely registered with her. The frogs in full throat did not stir her sense of adventure, nor did the vibrating chorus of insects alleviate her despondency. She warily found a secluded spot on a dry knoll and partook frugally of her rations. Little did she suspect that her low spirits contributed a doleful measure to the local evening performance. She did, however, allow herself to quietly anticipate rising on the morrow with renewed vigor.

written while listening to:  Mark Dresser Seven - Ain't Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You (Clean Feed, CF510CD, 2019, Portugal, cd, discogs.com)

August 7, 2021
Periboea set out early in the morning confident that she would locate the temple. We can but speculate regarding the origin of her unfounded self-assurance, for she had not spent sufficient time in the swamp to claim even scant knowledge of its expansive geography. Depending upon one's individual disposition, readers may attribute to Periboea either a defining faith in herself, which served as the bedrock for her courage, or the naïveté of youth. Regardless, this error explains the inordinate disappointment that consumed her when she arrived just after midday at the edge of the clearing, in the center of which sat the oracle's shrine.

written while listening to:  Joëlle Léandre & Pascal Contet - 3 (Ayler Records, AYLCD-137, 2014, France, cd, discogs.com)

August 8, 2021
Only once the building was in sight did the odor of chalbane incense register with her. As at the canal, Periboea remained hidden in the shadows along the edge of the tree line. From this distance, she detected fragments of conversation between two women, which escaped through the open windows. She recalled her own pleasant day spent in the company of the oracle and imagined that such an event now transpired for one of the oracle's paying clients. After having received such generous hospitality, Periboea dared not disturb the woman again. She immediately turned around and marched back into the swamp.

written while listening to:  Dave Rempis, Elisabeth Harnik & Michael Zerang - Triple Tube (Not Two Records, MW 998-2, 2020, Poland, cd, discogs.com)

August 9, 2021
More than her reticence to intrude on the oracle as she probed the future, Periboea regarded a retreat to the shrine, especially after an absence of only two nights, as an affront to her independence. She cursed her feet for their betrayal in leading her, against her will, to the sanctuary. She vowed to abandon directionless wandering in favor of the conscious study of her surroundings, by which she had first navigated to the temple. She was determined to wrest the secrets from the swamp and no unintended detour would stop her.

written while listening to:  Ellen Fullman - The Long String Instrument (Superior Viaduct, SV085, 2015 (rec. 1985) United States, lp, discogs.com)

August 10, 2021
Of course, Periboea had been led to the temple not by her skills at orienteering but rather by her pursuit of a creature of the mire. Moreover, the swamp itself, an insentient entity, cared nothing for her oaths nor her frustration. On the contrary, the swamp encouraged aimless drifting and other desultory pastimes. We note the predilections of the landscape in order to better explain how Periboea, weary from a long day of travel and seeking a refuge for the night, arrived, to her great chagrin, once again at the edge of the clearing around the oracle's shrine.

written while listening to:  Maya Homburger, Barry Guy, Peter Brötzmann, Zlatko Kaučič, Joëlle Léandre, Steve Swell & Agustí Fernández - Not Two...But Twenty!, disc 1 (Not Two Records, MW 1000-2, 2020, Poland, cdx5, discogs.com)

August 11, 2021
Too exhausted to plunge back into the depths of the swamp, she slumped to the ground and rested with her back to trunk of a hickory tree. She restricted her movements for fear of alerting the residents of the house to her presence. As she ate a dinner of hard bread, her thoughts returned to the figs and fowl, pancakes and honey of which she had partaken as the oracle's guest. She covered herself in the blanket, for the presentiment of a night chill already hung in the air. She kept a wary eye on the shrine, as she might a predator lurking in the night.

written while listening to:  Pauline Oliveros - Lion's Eye, Lion's Tale (Deep Listening, DL 28-2006, 2006, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 12, 2021
Beneath a silver moon, Periboea crept across the clearing and stopped outside Joëlle's bedroom. Because the house was raised on stilts, she could not see inside the high window, nor did she have any desire to do so. She was unsure of what she expected to transpire but she longed to whisper a secret to the oracle as she slept. Instead, Periboea was greeted by the unmistakable sounds of love-making. "They are at it again!" she thought, perturbed mostly at the absurdity that had resulted in her standing outside the oracle's window in the middle of the night.

written while listening to:  Lawrence "Butch" Morris - Testament: A Conduction Collection, disc 1: Conduction #11 (New World Records/CounterCurrents, 80478-2, 1995, United States, cdx10+book, discogs.com)

August 13, 2021
She furtively retreated to her blanket just inside the tree line. She did not immediately fall back to sleep and was awake when the light of a candle appeared in the bedroom window. She observed the fuzzy silhouette of Raoul against the curtains as he dressed. A minute later he stepped out onto the front landing. Gazing up at the starry sky, he appeared to listen for a while to the polyphony of the swamp at night. He descended the stairs and crossed the clearing. Soon there could be no doubt that he approached Periboea's hiding spot.

written while listening to:  Wadada Leo Smith - Trumpet, disc 1 (TUM Records, TUM BOX 002, 2021, Finland, cdx3, discogs.com)

August 14, 2021
A rapier hung from Raoul's belt, for it was not safe to wander into the swamp unarmed, especially at night. He carried another object in his right hand. Periboea rose to her feet and stepped from the shadows to meet him. When they were separated by a few feet and the man came to a stop, she began to greet him, saying, "Good evening, R—." She swallowed the rest of the name because by the light of the moon she realized, much to her surprise, that the man who stood before her was not Raoul.

written while listening to:  Evan Parker, Barry Guy & Paul Lytton - Live At Maya Recordings Festival, sides C & D (NoBusiness Records, NBLP 60/61, 2013, Lithuania, lpx2, discogs.com)

August 15, 2021
He resembled Raoul in more than a passing manner. Not only did he bear the same weapon, but he shared a similar muscular build and was dressed in a like custom. He too clearly was one familiar with swordplay while possessed of a refinement that would allow him to move in the halls of noblemen. Periboea noticed a difference in his facial hair. Where Raoul had donned a moustache this man sported a smartly groomed goatee. He exhibited no discomfort as he allowed himself to be scrutinized by Periboea in the moonlight.

written while listening to:  Kazuhisa Uchihashi & Richard Scott - Awesome Entities (doubtmusic, dmf-168, 2016, Japan, cd, discogs.com)

August 16, 2021
"Joëlle told me that you were young," said the man with a deep, musical accent, "but I did not expect to find a child traveling alone in the swamp at night."

"Whatever my age," Periboea answered curtly, "I am a warrior. You need not lose sleep on my behalf."

"Of course." He adopted a business-like attitude. "I am Carlos. I've escorted the pilgrim, now sleeping inside, to receive a pronouncement from the oracle. Before leaving town, I received a message that I was to deliver a particular item to her. She has asked me to give it to you."

written while listening to:  The Art Ensemble of Chicago - People in Sorrow (Pathé, 2C 062-10523, 1969, France, lp, discogs.com)

August 17, 2021
Periboea pursed her lips. Although she felt like she had already accepted all the aid that she could tolerate, she chose to let the man have his say. She glanced at the object he carried and judged its outline correctly. Carlos raised the short sword, asleep in a scabbard. He did not draw it forth but presented it to Periboea hilt first. When she pulled the sword from the sheath, it released a metallic ping that pierced the damp air and resonated to her very core. She did not move until the vibrations had entirely dissipated.

written while listening to:  Paul Panhuysen - A Magic Square of 5 to Look at, A Magic Square of 5 to Listen to (Plinkity Plonk Records, PLONK 15, 2004, The Netherlands, cd, discogs.com)

August 18, 2021
"It is a xiphos," Carlos said, "favored by your people."

"I know what it is," Periboea replied. All thought of rejecting the gift was forgotten. She had dearly yearned for just such a weapon, but had not imagined wielding one of this quality. The double-edged blade was forged in the shape of a narrow leaf and the burnished iron perfectly reflected the moonlight. She held it in one hand, relishing its heft, while it swayed to a tune of its own making. The sword bade her cut and thrust against the night air and she did not resist.

written while listening to:  Matthew Shipp - The Piano Equation (Tao Forms, TAO 01, 2020, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 19, 2021
"It is magnificent," Periboea murmured.

Her praise of the weapon elicited a frown from Carlos. While it was true that he had exercised care in the selection of a well-crafted sword, his choice was functional but not to an extraordinary degree. As a note of caution, he said, "I don't doubt that if you chop wood with it, you will dull the blade inside an hour."

Periboea ignored his admonition. She asked, "What are the magic words, which I must utter, to cause the blade to burst into flame and allow me to fly with it in hand?"

written while listening to:  Vijay Iyer - Panoptic Modes (Red Giant Records, RG011, 2001, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 20, 2021
Her question provoked a curious look, but not the withering reply, which would have been understandable. The nature of the young woman with whom he spoke remained unclear to Carlos. He could not discern whether her words were meant facetiously, despite their serious tone, or were rather to be taken literally. He allowed none of his uncertainty to disturb his cool composure. We confess to admiring him greatly for his equanimity and impulse control. He replied, "This blade will burn with the fire of your courage and you shall be buoyed, leaping with each step, as you wield it."

written while listening to:  Company - 6 & 7 (Incus Records, INCUS CD07, 1991 (rec. 1977), United Kingdom, cd, discogs.com)

August 21, 2021
Periboea eventually emerged from the spell that the sword had cast upon her to find her benefactor still standing before her, surrounded by the cacophony of insects, frogs and the occasional hoot of a night owl. "I only just lost my knife," she said. "How did Joëlle know that I would be in need of a new weapon?"

Of course the answer was obvious but Carlos nonetheless felt obliged to give voice to it. "She is an oracle, the most prescient in these many lands. The future, no less than the past, is unveiled to her sight."

written while listening to:  Han Bennink & Willem Breuker - New Acoustic Swing Duo, disc 1 (Corbett vs. Dempsey, CvsD | CD066, 2019 (rec. 1967 & 1968), United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

August 22, 2021
Although she was immensely grateful for the gift, Periboea's thoughts returned to her intention to remain hidden from the oracle. "How did you know I was out here?"

Naturally, the answer to this question was the same as that to her previous one. It was late and the night chill had arrived. Joëlle waited in a warm bed for Carlos to return. Having performed his charge, he was not inclined to extend the conversation unnecessarily. Still, he patiently replied, "The oracle did not disclose to me by which senses—supernatural or mundane—she detected your presence, only that events would unfold as they have."

written while listening to:  Dead Neanderthals - Worship the Sun (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1033, 2015, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 23, 2021
Periboea did not especially believe that each of her actions was predestined, nor did she appreciate the notion that someone, even one as kind as the oracle, should be privy to all her movements. However, it was the nature of the swamp to muddle the thoughts of those who traveled its paths and so these anxieties too were quickly subsumed. Carlos made as if to leave and Periboea waylaid him a final time. "I would have you know my name in parting." This last exchange was perfunctory and soon Periboea once again stood alone in the dark.

written while listening to:  David Murray Trio - Sweet Lovely (Black Saint, BSR 0039, 1980, Italy, lp, discogs.com)

August 24, 2021
Periboea practiced with the xiphos, swinging it to the rhythm set by the crickets and lunging in response to outbursts of particularly bellicose frogs. She had no excuses now. The oracle's first paramour had clothed her in the garb of a huntress and the second had armed her as a warrior. Even as she told herself that the swamp would reveal the path to the temple on the morrow, doubts lingered. Already she had dwelt in the swamp a sufficiently long time to understand its preference for circuitous ways over any accommodation of the plans of mortals.

written while listening to:  Éliane Radigue - Vice Versa, etc.... (Important Records, IMPREC259, 2009 (rec. 1970), United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

August 25, 2021
Periboea desired to establish some distance between herself and the house of the oracle as a show of independence. However, she had twice experienced to her detriment the dangers of traveling through the swamp at night. Despite her impatience, she refrained from the impulse to dash madly toward the inevitable confrontation and, instead, submitted to the wiser counsel to seek what sleep she could while still within sight of the shrine. A gentle breeze shuffled the leaves overhead, cloaking Periboea in an arrhthymic lullaby, which nudged her toward slumber.

written while listening to:  Studio Dan plays George Lewis & Oxana Omelchuk - Breaking News (ezz-thetics, 1021, 2020, Switzerland, cd, discogs.com)

August 26, 2021
As she lay between the roots of a tree, seeking what protection the blanket offered, Periboea was troubled by thoughts of infidelity. She could not dismiss the notion that her admiration of the oracle was diminished by the unexpected appearance of Carlos. Surely, Raoul was unaware that when another guide escorted pilgrims to the shrine, he also enjoyed the intimate hospitality of the oracle. With no experience in love, much less the emotional geometry of love triangles, Periboea had no response to the revelation of Joëlle's duplicity save to be disillusioned.

written while listening to:  Ivo Perelman & Nate Wooley - Polarity (Burning Ambulance Music, BAM71, 2021, United States, cd, discogs.com)

August 27, 2021
Uneasy thoughts led Periboea into troubled dreams, from which the nearby sanctuary of the oracle offered no protection. From a shadowed corner, a presence, nebulous and difficult to define, watched the workings of her subconscious mind as she unraveled the events of the previous day. The intruder seemed not at all curious about her. She sensed in the presence an impatience, as if it regarded the observation of her thoughts as tedium. A warrior even in the world of the unwaking, Periboea chose to confront the uninvited guest. "Reveal yourself!" commanded her dream-form.

written while listening to:  Robert Eggplant - Fields of Yarrow (self-released, no catalog #, 2021, United States, digital files, discogs.com)

August 28, 2021
The high priest of the cult of the beast was not compelled to submit to her order. His presence remained cloaked. His spirit had wandered the swamp, seeking that girl who had first managed to extricate herself from the pit and soon thereafter effected an equally improbable escape from the canal teeming with the beast's holy children. Having found her, he was sorely disappointed. He perceived nothing remarkable about her nor any distinction from the other girls whom he had brought, by deception or force, over the years to offer as consorts to his lord.

written while listening to:  Pulpo! Live Act - Havizaj #100 (Unsigned, US041, 2018, Hungary, digital files, discogs.com)

August 29, 2021
The courage of Periboea appeared neither as tattoos on her arms nor as scars on her cheeks. No visual marker of heroism was evident on this young woman. Even in the dream world, where the inner nature of the dreamer is projected, the priest could not discern the defining trait, which led us, gentle reader, to this tale. What he failed to appreciate was the unlikely reality of her circumstance. That she had survived not only the swamp, but the minotaur's labyrinth before, was its own testament to her character. She had no need to broadcast what her continued existence declared on its own.

written while listening to:  Rovar17 - Messed Up Loves (Theme Park, TP017, 2010, Malaysia, cd, discogs.com)

August 30, 2021
Periboea rose early in the morning. She planned to be gone before the residents of the shrine awoke, as she wished to avoid an encounter with anyone who walked from the house to the cistern to collect water for morning ablutions. So, with only an intimation of daybreak coloring the eastern sky, she folded her blanket, strapped the sword to her belt and disappeared back into the belly of the swamp. As she entered each new stretch of mire, the dawn choir of birdsong repeatedly announced her passage with a bombast that she found pleasantly embarrassing.

written while listening to:  Sun Araw & Tomo Jacobson - VHW7 (Sun Ark Records/Gotta Let It Out, SA066/GLIO48CD, 2021, United States/Denmark, cd, discogs.com)

August 31, 2021
Her confidence that her progress led her toward the temple was not misplaced, although she attributed it to the wrong reason. Her sense of direction was not as keen as she imagined and had not dramatically improved overnight. Nor did the newly acquired xiphos endow her with a preternatural instinct for locating her foe. Rather, it appeared that the priest, desirous of her presence in the temple, had planted in her mind the knowledge of a safe path to its entrance before departing from her dream to await her arrival.

written while listening to:  Julius Eastman - Three Extended Pieces For Four Pianos, disc 1 (Sub Rosa, SR 503, 2021, Belgium, cdx2, discogs.com)