"An Orange by Any Other Name"
Oddly enough, written as part of a job application's requirements
"Rubber Figs"
Musings on the slow death of both a jointly-purchased houseplant and a doomed relationship.
"Heaven on Earth"
This poem is an homage to the timeless greats Robert Frost and William Wordsworth. These two poets are a few of the very best, especially when it comes to depictions of nature, and their respective works inspired me to write a piece of my own.
"Friction"
This is the most sexually graphic and unapologetically open poem that I've ever written; it explores the correlation between self-loathing and masochism.
"Wait, You Said it's Only How Much?"
This poem is easily one of my most irreverent, and if you know my poetic style, you'll notice that it's incredibly self-aware in its mockery.
"Sea Glass"
Sometimes, things must first be broken and discarded before they can fully achieve their purpose and fulfillment; Being broken is not the end. It is merely a chance for a new beginning.
"A Song Amidst the Sunrise"
One morning, after a long, sleepless night, I sought a few hours of rest; as sleep finally drew near, however, I was stirred by the calling of a bird, which broke the silence of an otherwise-quiet world. Yet, instead of irritation, I found inspiration.
"For My Sunflower, the Sunshine of My Life"
Wouldn't it be nice to abandon all of life's problems in favor of the freedom of nature and the simple, yet busy life of a bee?
"Churning Without Ceasing"
There's something about the incredible and unshakeable might of the ocean that should terrify us, not fill us with peace.
"Starry-eyed"
This poem focuses on the belief that even though we, as humans, are a microscopic component of a much larger cosmos, our problems and emotions cannot always be looked at through such a lens. Although small in the grand scheme of the universe, the emotions we feel are still very real, and daresay, even a pivotal extension of the vastness of space.
"Season's Pleadings"
This little ditty is sung from the perspective of a man who is asking the woman he loves to stay with him on a particularly cold evening.
"Cuppa Love"
This "short short" is a loosely-based true story about losing what's important while also finding the will to persevere in spite of the trials and tribulations that life so often throws our way.
“Captain Marvel” Dazzles MCU Fans and Puts the “Her” in Hero
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gained its 21st entry this month with the release of “Captain Marvel.” It features Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ben Mendelsohn, as well as other great actors, both in returning and debut roles in the MCU, which is now entering its 11th year. In order for such an entity to exist, years of planning and development must first also exist. This is important in a twofold way, regarding “Captain Marvel..."
100 Word Story
This story was written for my "Reading Like a Writer" class. The assignment was to write a story in 100 words, no more, no less. I crafted a scene that may eventually be included in the book I'm writing about World War II.
Smiglowski Anticipates the 91st Academy Awards: Who Will Win What?
The 91st Academy Awards are less than two weeks away, and Hollywood’s best and brightest are preparing for a night that honors their work and dedication to film. There are 24 categories, and an abundance of talent all vying for the top awards and for critical esteem. As I do every year, I’ve made it my mission to see as many nominated films as possible, and I’d like to share some of my predictions with you...
Smiglowski Reviews the 91st Academy Awards Nominations
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on Feb 24., there is no shortage of stories going into it this year, and there is also an excess of quality films to discuss. Now that the Golden Globes have come and gone, we can make certain predictions about what the evening will be like. So, without further adieu, here’s my list of storylines to watch out for leading up to the Oscars...
"Snowblindness"
This short poem showcases the very first stages of survivor's guilt, seen through the eyes of a young man.
"Midnight Colors"
This poem is a slight homage to Sylvia Plath's work that also has deep roots in my own family history. As tragedy befalls a young couple, both their minds and their marriage begin to crumble around them, and their lives will never again be the same.
Netflix Review: “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
New to Netflix and select theatres nation-wide is Joel and Ethan Coen’s newest movie, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” As the zany movie title and the previous works of the Coen Brothers (“Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men”) would suggest, it’s a rather quirky movie filled with nuance and twists. This particular film is comprised of six vignettes set in the Post-Civil War midwest, and certain aspects of an early America filled with dangers and discord. Together, these six short films paint a rather unorthodox picture of what life was like in the frontier of a western United States that had yet to be tamed...
Netflix Review: "The Haunting of Hill House"
Netflix continues to release more content than it knows what to do with, and oftentimes it’s hard to decide what to watch when there’s so much to choose from. That being said, “The Haunting of Hill House” should be at the very top of your list, as it is one of the best Netflix original shows, ever...
Netflix Review: "Maniac"
Netflix’s newest original limited series, “Maniac,” is a dystopian psychological thriller with unmistakable “Cloud Atlas: and Inception vibes. It’s no surprise that Emma Stone (“La La Land,” “Birdman”) finds herself in yet another groundbreaking role, with a performance that follows suit. And Jonah Hill (“21 Jump Street,” “Wolf of Wall Street”) continues to distance himself from the quirky comedy actor that he used to be known for, by excelling in yet another more serious role...
Film Review: "Operation Finale"
With exceptional talent like Oscar Isaac ("Ex Machina," "Star Wars"), and Sir Ben Kingsley ("Gandhi," "Schindler’s List"), one might think "Operation Finale" could be something really special. But, although the film touches upon some important and intrinsic human questions, the nuances and gradations of them are often lost amidst the poor chemistry of the actors in the film. And a muddled plot, with an unnecessary and poorly-developed love story, distract from what otherwise is a compelling story of ethics, justice, evil, and the distinctions between vendetta and due process of the law...
[A bird flew over the city streets]
This small poem is a tragically-ironic look at human life from the perspective of an inquisitive, avian passerby.
Film Review: "Black Panther"
“Black Panther” released this past weekend, and in its first 3 days of release, it has already earned almost $200 million dollars. The movie picks up a few days after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” and showcases not only T’Challa’s rise to power as the new King of Wakanda but also showcases Wakanda’s rich history and deep African traditions...
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About Me
I am a writer, an editor, a tutor, and a linguist; I am a published poet and short storyist, a former entertainment columnist, magazine editor, and college-level English tutor. Currently, I work as a barista, and I recently moved across the country to pursue further education and a writing career. My expertise is on pop culture, media, and film - especially when viewed critically and through a progressive lens.