The Poison Pie Publishing House presents:

October 1, 2024
The settlement, Anaïs said, had no name, since the repeating of a name would only lead credence to the rumors that such a place existed. The appearance of a visitor drew everyone's attention. All looked up from their tasks as Europe was escorted to the center of town where Anaïs led her to an elderly, stooped woman, sitting cross-legged on the ground. She had lost her teeth and chewed the leaves of an herb. Spots of brown spittle stained the corners of her lips. Anaïs stopped before her and announced that she had brought a new member to live among them.

written while listening to:  Sebastien Lovato, Alexandra Grimal, Marc Buronfosse & Karl Jannuska - Music Boox (self-released, LOV001, 2010, France, cd, discogs.com)

October 2, 2024
Europe waited as the old woman sent a girl to collect the other elders of the council. She supposed that she was to be subject to a hearing where her worthiness to join their number would be judged. It was, however, too late for such proceedings. In revealing the location of their village, Anaïs had made the decision for all. The purpose of the convocation that followed was to explicitly set forth the severity of the fate to befall all the women who had sought shelter in this refuge from the world of men, should Europe not adhere to a few simple rules.

written while listening to:  Phelan Burgoyne & Emanuele Maniscalco - Divertimento (Hout Records, HR 011, 2018, Switzerland, digital files, discogs.com)

October 3, 2024
Two other elders joined them. They did not move the hearing into a nearby structure for the sky was clear, the temperature pleasant and the oath they wished to extract from Europe best uttered within earshot of the small crowd that assembled around them. Europe listened without remark as an impromptu ceremony took place. The three seated women announced the good news that Anaïs had brought a woman to live with them. They asked not Europe but Anaïs to name her, which she did in a loud, clear voice, "Europe." Every woman in the village clearing repeated her name and, in doing so, claimed her as one of their own.

written while listening to:  Anna Webber's Percussive Mechanics - Refraction (Pirouet, PIT3079, 2014, Germany, cd, discogs.com)

October 4, 2024
The laws governing the village were but two in number and unambiguous in application. Each woman must work to provide for the needs of the community. No woman was allowed to leave the village without the consent of the council elders. Europe immediately agreed to the first rule for she was not averse to earning her keep. When presented with the second prohibition, she could not but interpret it as a surrender of an essential freedom, for she had come to see herself as a wanderer and what good is a wanderer who must seek permission to roam?

written while listening to:  Derek Bailey & Tony Coe - Time, sides C & D (Honest Jon's Records, HJRLP208, 2019 (rec. 1979), United Kingdom, lpx2, discogs.com)

October 5, 2024
Europe's hesitation was apparent to Anaïs and all assembled. Still, the offer was not retracted in the silence that followed for retraction was tantamount to murder, since they could not allow her to leave. Instead, the elders chose to interpret as thoughtful reflection Europe's extended pause. Her eyes fell to Anaïs, whose expression offered no sympathetic comfort. Their survival depended upon adherence to this law. Although the words hurt her, Europe eventually stated for all to hear, "I agree not to leave the village without permission." To her surprise, she caught Anaïs poorly concealing a sigh of relief.

written while listening to:  Keiji Haino - The Consonants are Rusting... (Urbanguild, no catalog #, 2020, Japan, digital files, discogs.com)

October 6, 2024
With this initiation concluded, the women of the village dispersed, returning to their work. Many approached Anaïs, welcoming her back after her absence of several days. A few nodded a silent greeting at Europe. As new arrivals were infrequently added to their number, she proved an object of candid attention and speculative gossip for the remainder of the day. Europe followed Anaïs to the apothecary, where she delivered the medicine, collected while in Antissa. The pharmacist lightly scolded Anaïs, "This took much longer than usual. Was there difficulty in locating it?"

written while listening to:  The Art Ensemble of Chicago - The Third Decade (ECM Records, ECM 1273, 1985, Germany, cd, discogs.com)

October 7, 2024
Anaïs shook her head. "No trouble at all. As it so happens," she said, gesturing toward Europe, "there was another item of business awaiting me in Antissa." Piqued by the description, Europe repeated, "Item of business?" The pharmacist shushed her saying, "This medicine is precious but women are the life of the village. Finding you and bringing you here is a much more important accomplishment than returning with my herbs and tinctures." Thus placated, Europe was content to be shown around the village through-out the afternoon.

written while listening to:  Joëlle Léandre, Elisabeth Harnik & Zlatko Kaučič - Live In St. Johann (Fundacja Słuchaj!, FSR 13/2024, 2024, Poland, cd, discogs.com)

October 8, 2024
As Anaïs led Europe through the streets, she introduced her to the women whom they encountered. Most of them spoke the Aeolic dialect as their native tongue. Presumably they had fled the cities of Lesbos and other local Thessalonian colonies. Each resident was engaged in labor of one sort or another, some at tasks traditionally reserved for women—grinding wheat to flour or shuttling weft through warp. However, in the absence of men, all work fell to women. Anaïs and Europe carried loads of thatch to a house where a pair of villagers repaired a leaking roof.

written while listening to:  David S. Ware Quartet - Live In Vilnius, sides A & B (NoBusiness Records, NBLP 4/5, 2009, Lithuania, lpx2, discogs.com)

October 9, 2024
A special banquet was held that night and, while it was never formally announced, Europe soon observed that she was the guest of honor. No building in the village was large enough to comfortably accommodate all the residents, so they took their meals outside. The crowd mingled in the central plaza, a triangular clearing surrounded by a sparse outline of structures and anchored by three enormous Mediterranean pines at the corners. Their branches extended overhead and scattered cones dotted the ground. Wine in plenty was served and a gay mood prevailed.

written while listening to:  Audrey Lauro - Prose Métallique (Relative Pitch Records, RPRSS031, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 10, 2024
After all had eaten and stars had filled the sky, the eldest of the council, before whom Europe had first been brought, called for quiet among the women. When she summoned Europe, Anaïs gave her a gentle shove, propelling her forward without delay. Had she known that she would be expected to speak, Europe would have limited her intake of wine. As it was, she felt somewhat tipsy as she gazed out at the crowd. They too had imbibed deeply and were in good spirits, with smiling faces and arms draped over each other's shoulders.

written while listening to:  Sam Rivers, Dave Holland & Barry Altschul - Reunion: Live In New York, disc 2 (Pi Recordings, PI45, 2012 (rec. 2007), United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

October 11, 2024
"Welcome, Europe," said the village elder. "This joy that surrounds you is now yours to cherish. Whatever pain lies in your past is history. Forget the bad, remember the good. That is what we all strive to do and you may do likewise. We invite you now to tell us a little about yourself, recounting something good of your life that we may know whom we have welcomed." Europe's throat tightened. She remained committed to concealing her history as one selected from the Athenian lottery to satisfy the cruel tribute due King Minos. Nor would she reveal that she had escaped from the labyrinth.

written while listening to:  Agata - Spike (Tzadik, TZ 7249, 2004, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 12, 2024
Her tribulations defined her, or so it seemed in that instant. If she was to "forget the bad", then there was nothing left. Europe had no other history to share with these women. Without the minotaur, she drifted, anchorless in the present moment. The crowd murmured in the silence that followed and all were reminded of her earlier hesitation in vowing not to leave the village. "She has drunk too much," Anaïs said, this excuse her way of coming to Europe's defense. The elder waved her off. "There is no fault in thinking before you speak."

written while listening to:  Air - Air Mail (Black Saint, BSR 0049, 1981, Italy, lp, discogs.com)

October 13, 2024
Aswirl in the churning of dark thoughts, Europe sought for some innocent childhood memory that might placate the village elder. With each passing moment, the tension of her situation increased. She had to define herself to these women. Although she wanted to add to the joy in the village, she found little to offer. Instead, she unfortunately relied on the truth of her being, which anyone gathered beneath the pines could have told her was not appropriate for this festive occasion. The cold starlight bore witness as Europe, skeptic and wanderer, spoke.

written while listening to:  Paul Motian - Selected Recordings (ECM Records, :rarum XVI, 2004 (orig. 1973-1988), Germany, cd, discogs.com)

October 14, 2024
"I do not believe that I have any history to share. I cannot leave the bad behind for that is what has driven me here. I will not share it, for I have no desire to darken anyone's doorstep. What joy I have known..." Here Europe's thoughts turned to Berenike. "What accidental joy I have encountered was shown me through charity. I did not earn it. I cannot repay it. And now that I cannot leave this village, I shall never know it again. I will not speak of it for it is no longer a source of joy."

written while listening to:  Xavier Charles & Éric Normand - Balises (Ramble Records/Tour de Bras, RAM 107/TDB90003LP, 2023, Australia/Canada, lp, discogs.com)

October 15, 2024
While Europe's words dampened the spirit of the party, they were not overly held against her for many women in the village had arrived damaged. She was not the first to stumble in introducing herself at her welcoming dinner. Moreover, she had successfully accomplished the task of clearly defining her nature. There was value in her honesty, as it would prevent others from misunderstanding her in the future. Europe was a skeptic and a wanderer, now safe but deprived of her freedom. Taking her by the wrist, Anaïs brought her back into the crowd.

written while listening to:  Chet Baker - Baker's Holiday (Limelight, LS 86019, 1965, United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 16, 2024
No woman in the village had a home to herself. All occupied an abode with at least one other for reasons both practical (there being fewer houses than villagers) and communal (joint dwellings prevented isolation). After midnight, when the party came to a close, Anaïs led Europe to a building that she shared with a middle-aged woman named Glyke. A long-time resident of the village, Glyke had a kind, maternal demeanor. She had volunteered to take in Anaïs upon her arrival, thinking, mistakenly as it turned out, that the one-armed woman might need extra help.

written while listening to:  Sonny Rollins - Sonny Boy (Prestige, PRLP 7207, 1961, United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 17, 2024
Anticipating that Anaïs would have Europe stay with them, Glyke had earlier in the day secured an extra sleeping mat, blanket and pillow. Their home was a simple, rectangular one room affair with a single entrance. They arranged the beds along the side and back walls. Only the two side walls had windows, which, even when shuttered, allowed a pleasant draft over she who slept beneath it. Glyke offered this preferred spot to Europe, but Anaïs wouldn't allow it and offered her own bed. Europe declined both and slept contentedly opposite the door.

written while listening to:  Miles Davis - Seven Steps to Heaven (Columbia, CS 8851, 1963, United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 18, 2024
By dawn's light the three housemates breakfasted on figs and a loaf of bread dipped in olive oil. The food was not tightly rationed. It seemed that the village enjoyed sufficient bounty, so there was no need for excessive frugality. Glyke continued her kind ministrations through-out the morning, combing the tangles from the locks of both Europe and Anaïs. Given time, Europe would discover that it was not simply the fact of her recent arrival that prompted the older woman to be especially attentive. Rather, hers was a tender nature every day, rain or shine.

written while listening to:  John Zorn - The Parachute Years, disc 6 (Tzadik, TZ 7316, 1997 (rec. 1979), United States, cdx7, discogs.com)

October 19, 2024
Anaïs led Europe to the largest building in the village. She called it the workhouse. Inside, Europe was introduced to Hyrmina, a sturdy woman with tanned face and calloused hands, who greeted the two in a matter-of-fact manner. Of Europe's words the previous night Hyrmina apparently gave no thought, if she remembered them at all. Instead, she turned directly to business. "I schedule the labor in this village," she said in a deep voice. "Tell me your skills and any frailties, should you have them, so that I may know where best to place you."

written while listening to:  Tony Conrad - Early Minimalism Volume One, disc 2 (Table of the Elements, As 33, 1997, United States, cdx4, discogs.com)

October 20, 2024
"I can read and write," Europe replied. "I understand the dialects of Athens, Crete and Thessaly." Hyrmina pursed her lips. Europe would be useful as few women in the village were literate. Regardless, she replied saying, "We have infrequent need of a scholar. What else can you do?" Europe gazed steadily at the woman's face. "I have a clear mind. I am not taken in by lies. I am not afraid of walking alone or of sleeping in the dark in the wilds. While I am no sailor, I managed a dinghy from Tenedos to Lesbos on my own."

written while listening to:  Cecilia Lopez & Ingrid Laubrock - Maromas (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1167, 2023, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 21, 2024
For the time being, Hyrmina paired Europe with Anaïs. "It's not a permanent assignment," said the scheduler to Europe, "so if you grow tired of her cheerful disposition, I'll find you another partner." The light tone of her delivery betrayed her stoic expression. Their job was part herb gatherer and part guard duty. They were to spend the day following an ever-expanding spiral around the village. It seemed a reasonable task to Europe, to wander about the island accompanied by a kindred soul whose demands on her were not onerous.

written while listening to:  Steve Lacy - The Ictus Archives Volume 2 (Ictus Records, ICTUS RE 0008, 2023 (rec. 1976), Italy, lp, discogs.com)

October 22, 2024
As guards, they were to be armed. Anaïs routinely traveled with a knife. Europe retrieved the dagger tucked in Berenike's sack. She was not asked to demonstrate her proficiency with the blade, as she had in the long-house on Tenedos. In this village, the residents assumed that a woman could defend herself. She was given a leather belt and a sheath, in which she carried the weapon openly, as if she were a soldier. When Europe remarked on this, Anaïs replied, "We are soldiers and we will give our lives to protect our home."

written while listening to:  Graham Lambkin & Jason Lescalleet - Photographs, disc 2 (Erstwhile Records, 070-2, 2013, United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

October 23, 2024
They carried baskets into which were deposited the fruits of their foraging. In the shadows of the forest canopy, Europe listened attentively to the descriptions of the flora, which Anaïs provided. Thyme, ladania, lemon balm and lavender all went into their baskets. Some herbs were destined for the communal larder while others would end up with the pharmacist. Of the creatures they encountered—the least weasel and the white-chested hedgehog—Anaïs paid little attention. Their assignment did not apparently include hunting.

written while listening to:  Akira Sakata & Kazuhisa Uchihashi - Patina (Innocent Records, ICR-028, 2024, Japan, cd, discogs.com)

October 24, 2024
Their duty as guards involved keeping a vigilant eye for signs of passage, both by strangers and villagers. If it seemed too clear a path was being worn through the woods, they brushed away footprints. They sought out the peaks of local hills, from which they surveyed the surroundings while catching their breath from the exertion of their ascent. No greater threat did they espy than a whipsnake, nearly as long as Europe was tall. It stretched on a span of exposed rock, sunning itself. "It's not venomous," Anaïs remarked and let it be.

written while listening to:  John Coltrane - Coltrane's Sound (Atlantic Records, SD 1419, 1964, United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 25, 2024
As dusk approached, Anaïs and Europe returned to the village. Women were setting aside their work for the day or bringing a task to a stopping point, from which it could be resumed tomorrow. The preparation of the evening meal was undertaken as a group, though it was clear to Europe that there were designated cooks, Glyke among them, who oversaw the affair. Europe also noticed that not all residents attended dinner. The windows of some homes were illuminated by small fires as their occupants prepared a private meal.

written while listening to:  Company - Fables (Incus Records, INCUS 36, 1980, United Kingdom, lp, discogs.com)

October 26, 2024
The village as a whole retired early. No late-night bacchanal kept the women up for they were all to rise with the sun. Their acceptance of the routine was evident to Europe and she sensed in it contentment rather than resentment. These villagers were fugitives from worse fates than daily labor. Moreover, the rewards of their work lay in plain sight. No bellowing of men lost to drink rang out in the night. Nor did fisticuffs erupt in the street. Unlike the rest of the Greek world, here the women were not the property of dissolute husbands and fathers.

written while listening to:  Thelonious Monk - Underground (Columbia, CS 9632, 1968, United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 27, 2024
It rained overnight. Faint moonlight filtered through cloud and shutter into the house. Europe lay on her sleeping mat, listening to drops fall against the thatched roof. To this irregular drumbeat wove the breathing of her housemates. Glyke slept on her side with her back to the wall; her breath came in a steady rhythm. Anaïs slept on her back, the blanket pulled to her waist, her measured breathing interrupted by fitful starts. Dreams dredged the sediment of memories and roiled them into uneasy visions of phantoms whom she could not evade.

written while listening to:  Richard Youngs - Airs of the Ear (Jagjaguwar, JAG59, 2003, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 28, 2024
In the shade of the forest, mushrooms responded to the night's rain. Come morning, Europe was duly impressed with the skill of Anaïs in categorizing the various fungi as edible, pharmaceutical and poisonous. "Who taught you all this?" Europe asked. "You met her already in the apothecary," Anaïs answered, "I'd come out here with her before she got sick." Europe nodded, "How long have you lived here?" She did not receive an answer for Anaïs gingerly slid her hand into a hole in the side of a tree and triumphantly withdrew a gooey finger. "Honey!"

written while listening to:  David Binney - Lifted Land (Criss Cross Jazz, Criss 1358 CD, 2013, The Netherlands, cd, discogs.com)

October 29, 2024
So passed the days in the hidden village of women. The notion of Lesbos as a paradise seemed confirmed in this sanctuary. Europe heard a squabble between housemates over whose turn it was to launder the blankets but no greater acrimony revealed itself. She supposed that, all in all, it was okay to be severed from her history, though she felt its absence as one might that of an old friend. Her parents in Athens, her bovine husband beneath Knossos, Berenike and Kallias in Tenedos, all loath to be forgotten, rummaged daily through her thoughts.

written while listening to:  Joe Morris Quartet - A Cloud Of Black Birds (AUM Fidelity, AUM009, 1998, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 30, 2024
And here she traipsed in paradise with a friend by her side, spending days between the cool shade of the forest and the sea-scented breeze shifting over the hills. Who among us would blame Europe if she traded her old life of subjugation to a godless lottery for a new, idyllic life? A history such as hers was best forsaken. She contemplated how long her utopia could persist. Even if these good days would eventually end, could she not enjoy them while they lasted? She might have been comforted had she known that such thoughts dwelt in the minds of many villagers.

written while listening to:  Jakob Anderskov - Spirit Of The Hive (ILK Music, ILK325LP, 2021, Denmark, lp, discogs.com)

October 31, 2024
On the following day, Anaïs disappeared for an hour, citing a meeting with the pharmacist. Europe milled around the village, smiling at villagers as she walked. Finding her in the central plaza, Anaïs announced that they were to depart immediately for Antissa. It often fell to Anaïs to gather a variety of supplies for the village. "And you are coming with me," she declared. Europe eagerly agreed. She wanted to be useful and she welcomed the prospect of staying again in the amiable guesthouse of Kynthia and Thestor.

written while listening to:  Éliane Radigue - Transamorem - Transmortem (Important Records, imprec337, 2011 (rec. 1973), United States, cd, discogs.com)