The Poison Pie Publishing House presents:

September 1, 2024
The two women marched beside the Voulgaris following a faint footpath, along which too little traffic passed to entirely clear the grass. Anaïs had apparently purchased medicinal goods in Antissa, which occupied little space in the sack slung over her shoulder. The foodstuffs had been replenished in the traveler's sack that Berenike had given to Europe. They had set out in mid-morning with the sun clearly above the horizon. Kynthia had chided them for their late start, but Anaïs had her reason. "This is Europe's first time on Lesbos. There are some sights best appreciated in full daylight."

written while listening to:  Júlio Resende - da Alma (Clean Feed, CF095CD, 2007, Portugal, cd, discogs.com)

September 2, 2024
Accustomed to physical exercise, neither woman struggled to maintain a steady pace throughout the day. Beneath a vividly blue sky, Europe thought it a fair question to ask, "How far is it to your village?" Anaïs did not answer directly for she did not yet want to share the truth. A significant part of the security of her village lay in its hidden location. All residents were under a strict prohibition against disclosing its whereabouts to strangers. This decree, of course, extended to bringing outsiders into their midst. Eventually she replied ambiguously, "A few days, if all goes well."

written while listening to:  Enrico Rava - Jazzitaliano Live 2006 (Casa Del Jazz, CdJ01, 2006, Italy, cd, discogs.com)

September 3, 2024
After lunch they entered a valley in which the river had cut through the volcanic stone of the island, leaving a narrow gorge. Cool, clear water sang with its high notes reverberating between the walls. Anaïs paused for her companion to enjoy the sound. "Do you know who loves this song?" she asked. "You?" Europe guessed. "No...besides me," she said, "birds." Soon evidence for her answer arrived in the form of a pair of gray water pipits, who scattered peeps amidst the rhythm of the flowing stream. The two women set down their sacks and relaxed in the shade.

written while listening to:  Anna Webber - Clockwise (Pi Recordings, PI79, 2019, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 4, 2024
Before long, the pipits departed, to be replaced by a rock bunting, no less skilled in its ability to add a chorus of staccato chirps to the music of the river. Europe sensed the sincerity of this gift shared with her. Rising to her feet Anaïs announced, "We could sit here all and listen to a rotating cast of performers, but we have miles to go." After they resumed their journey, Europe asked, "Is that what you wanted me to see in daylight?" Anaïs scoffed at the modest expectations of her island paradise. "That gorge?" She shook her head. "Not even in the top ten."

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

September 5, 2024
They walked until dusk approached. Moving inland had involved ascending the steady slope of the mountains that formed the island. Europe's legs were sore from the exertion but, when asked, she collected firewood. Anaïs skillfully set to work with flint and iron, though her secret was a small amount of pitch, which she frugally spread on tinder. The two women warmed themselves by the campfire for the night breeze brought with it a chill. As they ate from their provisions, Anaïs asked, "How many husbands have you known?" Europe glanced up surprised. Thinking of the minotaur, she replied, "Only the one."

written while listening to:  Keiji Haino - The Meaning of Blackness..., sides C & D (Old Heaven Books, OH 017, 2019, China, lpx2, discogs.com)

September 6, 2024
Europe supposed that it was fair for her to return the same question to Anaïs but found that she did not especially care to know the sordid history, which had led to the woman's flight to the refuge of Lesbos. She was much more interested in the present moment. She watched the flickering light play over the exposed arm and legs of her companion. Instead, Europe opted to clarify her earlier response because her marriage to the minotaur had been an unusual case. "I was married for a year," she said, "and kept locked in a cellar. I escaped with my maidenhood intact."

written while listening to:  The Art Ensemble of Chicago - Phase One (America Records, 30 AM 6116, 1971, France, lp, discogs.com)

September 7, 2024
On that note, Anaïs too seemed to lose interest in inviting the darkness of dread days gone by into their company. She fell silent and spread her blanket beside the fire, as Europe followed suit. From opposite sides, the two women watched the fire consume the logs until transparent wisps of flame were all that emerged from the glowing embers. It seemed unnecessary for Europe to ask if she should fear nocturnal predators for surely Anaïs would not lead her into danger. She dismissed her worries and fell into a deep slumber beneath the slowly circling Milky Way.

written while listening to:  Joëlle Léndre & Kevin Norton - Winter in New York 2006 (Leo Records, CD LR 499, 2007, United Kingdom, cd, discogs.com)

September 8, 2024
At breakfast, the pair ate for another full day of hiking. Shortly after their start, Anaïs had them veer to the west, skirting the steepest slope. Although Europe did not ask for an explanation, Anaïs offered one all the same. "We are taking a slight detour. I want to show you something worth seeing in daylight." She declined to provide more information, leaving it as a surprise. Accustomed to wandering, Europe was content with an unknown destination. In truth, simply the presence of a companion diminished the sense of aimlessness.

written while listening to:  Matthew Shipp - The Data, disc 2 (RogueArt, ROG-0136, 2024, France, cdx2, discogs.com)

September 9, 2024
The way was marked by a narrow footpath, requiring that they pass in single file. Usually Anaïs was in the lead. Viewing her from behind for long periods, Europe observed that the absence of one arm perturbed the rhythm of her ambulation, adding an asymmetry that could not be entirely hidden. At other times, Anaïs paused and Europe, in an attempt to maintain her momentum, slipped past, moving to the front. Then it was the other's turn to observe the cadence of her gait. Europe's long strides emphasized her uncommon height and gangly frame.

written while listening to:  Yedo Gibson - Conic Tube (Relative Pitch Records, RPRSS025, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 10, 2024
The path opened to a larger road with signs of recent traffic. Anaïs explained that the route connected the cities of Mithymna on the northern coast and Eresos to the southwest. She walked the road without fear of discovery, while Europe continued to regard herself as a fugitive, who was best served to stay out of sight. She stifled the impulse to flee into the woods when traders transporting goods in mule-drawn carts approached. Anaïs greeted the men with a curt nod but exchanged no words. Europe experienced both a refreshing freedom and foolhardy guilt for brazenly striding out in the open.

written while listening to:  Sam Rivers, Dave Holland & Barry Altschul - Reunion: Live In New York, disc 1 (Pi Recordings, PI45, 2012 (rec. 2007), United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

September 11, 2024
The two women came to a place where the hills took the form of grassy planes, tilted at odd angles, creating a landscape of sharp ridges and gullies. Upon one downward slope, strange stone pillars jutted into the sky. Anaïs led Europe from the road into their midst. As she drew near, Europe observed that the columns appeared to imitate the shape of trees, widening at the base where roots delved into the soil. The weathered stone appeared ancient. Many of the pillars were little more than stumps beside fallen segments of cylindrical blocks but some stood three or four times her height.

written while listening to:  Mamoru Fujieda - The Night Chant (Tzadik, TZ 7003, 1995, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 12, 2024
Upon closer inspection, Europe found that the pillars were indeed trees, or had been at one time. The stone preserved the pattern of bark and arboreal physiology. None retained more than the onset of branches while leaves were entirely absent. Conjecture of the volcanic origin of the petrified forest lay far beyond their time. Anaïs offered one local interpretation. "Men say Amazons lived here. They must have done something to anger the gods, who turned their forests to stone. With no fruit to eat, they were forced to leave their paradise."

written while listening to:  Billy Bang with Sun Ra, John Ore & Andrew Cyrille - A Tribute To Stuff Smith (Soul Note, 121 216-2, 1993, Italy, cd, discogs.com)

September 13, 2024
Anaïs correctly interpreted the hard expression on Europe's face as one of rejection and disbelief. "It's just a story." Europe slid her hand along the smooth stone surface of the tree. At that moment, the cold, amber-colored rock appeared as a monument to undeserved suffering. That the very trees of this land should be punished for the offenses of its people testified to the unjust judgment of fallible gods. Her relief came only from her certainty that the gods did not exist. "I don't believe that the gods are real," she said, intending it as a defiant declaration.

written while listening to:  Tomasz Stanko - Selected Recordings (ECM Records, :rarum XVII, 2004 (orig. 1975-1998), Germany, cd, discogs.com)

September 14, 2024
Anaïs had expected praise from her companion for sharing the strange beauty of the petrified forest. She approached the same tree at which Europe stood and placed her palm against its trunk. She had always admired the trees and thought of them as timeless sentinels of the island. Irritated by the poor reception to her surprise, she quipped, "Any other thoughts that you would care to share, O wise Tiresias?" Europe instantly regretted having upset her guide. As a sort of penance, she mournfully mumbled, "I also don't believe that there is a happy home for me on this island or another."

written while listening to:  Julien Tassin & Patrick Steenaerts - Duality (Ramble Records, RAM 160, 2023, Australia, digital files, discogs.com)

September 15, 2024
The pair returned to the road, eventually leaving it for another nondescript footpath. They walked for hours without speaking. The sough of the wind in the trees supplied an alternate dialogue. Day drew into evening and before long Anaïs selected a grove of wild olive trees as a suitable spot for them to spend the night. Europe gathered branches then watched as Anaïs maneuvered the iron rod in her hand while holding the flint steady with the toes of one foot. With a practiced strike, sparks ignited the kindling. "You are good at that," Europe said, as a peace offering.

written while listening to:  Chet Baker - The Most Important Jazz Album Of 1964/65 (Colpix Records, SCP 476, 1964, United States, lp, discogs.com)

September 16, 2024
These two women were young and newly met. They did not yet allow the recognition of their ephemerality to influence their actions—cutting short unnecessary strife and welcoming reconciliation when it arrived. As such, Anaïs did not immediately forgive Europe for her words at the petrified forest but permitted her resentment to linger into dusk. Yet, she too had known suffering; her missing limb a daily reminder. Her temper dissipated in the cool night air. Across the fire, she saw huddled beneath her blanket a forsaken girl, much as she once had been. Come morning they would be friends again.

written while listening to:  Sonny Rollins - Volume 2 (Blue Note, BLP 1558, 1957, United States, lp, discogs.com)

September 17, 2024
Anaïs next led them north and a little east. Europe noted that they were backtracking to some extent and concluded that Anaïs was not leading her in a direct route to her village. Whether they followed a winding path simply for sight-seeing or for some other purpose she did not yet know. Her thoughts were distracted when they arrived at a rocky creek lined with oleander. Bushes emerged from every gap, covering the stone with dark green leaves and bright pink blossoms. A faint, sweet scent clung to them during the brief rest among the flowers.

written while listening to:  Miles Davis - Milestones (Columbia, CL 1193, 1958, United States, lp, discogs.com)

September 18, 2024
Following the creek upstream, they arrived at a small cave. A crude stone table stood knee-high outside the entrance. Upon it were laid a bundled bouquet of withered flowers tied with jute ribbon and a plate of desiccated olives and figs. Weeks had passed since this offering had been left to whatever local god dwelt inside the cave. Europe was dismayed to have been delivered to a shrine. Did Anaïs attempt to persuade her that her rejection of the gods was an error by bringing her to the home of one? All the same, she followed her companion inside.

written while listening to:  John Zorn - The Parachute Years, disc 5 (Tzadik, TZ 7316, 1997 (rec. 1979), United States, cdx7, discogs.com)

September 19, 2024
The two women descended a narrow path of worn stone steps into the darkness. Expecting subterranean air cooled by the earth, Europe was instead immersed in a fog of intense, damp heat. Before the light from the opening faded completely, Anaïs paused before a shelf in the rough cave wall. She deftly used the material left behind to light a tallow candle. The flickering flame illuminated an arched chamber bearing a geological pattern resembling an odd, disordered honeycomb. A placid surface of water covered the entire floor of the cave.

written while listening to:  Tony Conrad - Early Minimalism Volume One, disc 1 (Table of the Elements, As 33, 1997 (rec. 1964), United States, cdx4, discogs.com)

September 20, 2024
The visitors undressed. The water of the thermal spring was so hot that they entered it slowly, allowing their bodies to acclimate to the temperature. Europe supposed that no god dwelt in this cave, only residual heat of some torrid event lost to memory. She felt ashamed at having suspected Anaïs of the petty coercion of a village priest. Submerged to their shoulders, they allowed the waters to soothe the ache of muscles that had traveled far and slept on hard ground for the past two days. Europe closed her eyes and surrendered to an unexpected and exquisite rejuvenation.

written while listening to:  Columbia Icefield - Ancient Songs Of Burlap Heroes (Pyroclastic Records, PR 20, 2022, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 21, 2024
The atmosphere in the hot springs induced in Europe a desire to know more about her companion. Yet she did not venture to ask further questions there for, if the gods were real, what more likely place to find them than one which mortals could tolerate for but a short time. So, on the off chance that the local god of the spring was listening, she kept her curiosity to herself. Before long Anaïs rose, dressed and climbed the stairs, extinguishing the candle on their way out. They resumed their journey in high spirits; the bath had renewed both body and mind.

written while listening to:  Evan Parker & Sylvie Courvoisier - Either Or And (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1024, 2014, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 22, 2024
They ascended the slope of the lesser mountain of Lesbos, Mount Psilokoudouno as Anaïs named it. Another evening they spent wrapped in blankets beside a campfire, which muttered and danced to the passing winds. Lesbos was an island possessing no great size. Europe suspected they could have crossed its full width twice in the time they had spent on their circuitous route. Why spend a night on this cold peak? Flames arose from popping pine logs. In the same, casual tone that she had requested Europe to count her husbands, Anaïs now asked, "How many men have you murdered?"

written while listening to:  Graham Lambkin & Jason Lescalleet - Photographs, disc 1 (Erstwhile Records, 070-2, 2013, United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

September 23, 2024
Europe was taken aback by the question. In the labyrinth, she had never contemplated killing the minotaur. Her thoughts strayed briefly to another of the six maidens interred in the mine with her. It was Periboea who had harbored only one thought—to murder the beast. Violence was not in Europe's nature. Wondering now about Periboea's fate, she gazed through the wisps of smoke at Anaïs. From the look in her eyes, Europe then understood the question of murder to serve as a confession of the woman's violent end to her own marriage.

written while listening to:  Martin Tétreault & Otomo Yoshihide - Studio - Analogique - Numérique (Ambiances Magnétiques, AM 111, 2003, Canada, mini-cdx3, discogs.com)

September 24, 2024
Anaïs continued, "As you have already guessed, I have led you three days on a winding way. I did this not just to show you the treasures of Lesbos but to learn something of you. Because I will have brought you into the community, I am responsible for you. If you find my home not to your liking and flee after a week or two, it will reflect poorly on me. If you then run to a city on the coast and betray the location of our hidden village, it will be the same as if I betrayed my sisters."

written while listening to:  Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots (Atlantic Records, 1305, 1960, United States, lp, discogs.com)

September 25, 2024
Europe opened her mouth, intending to solemnly vow never to betray Anaïs or her people. However, Anaïs had closed her eyes and spoke further, saying, "Are you the right kind of woman to live with us? It is true that you have suffered. Perhaps you think the only badge required to count yourself worthy of our company is suffering at the hands of men. I don't know much about you, but you are too quick to reject the beliefs of others. There is no point to live in suffering. Each of us finds solace in our own way."

written while listening to:  Company - Company 5 (Incus Records, INCUS 28, 1978, United Kingdom, lp, discogs.com)

September 26, 2024
Anaïs, opened her eyes. "What made you think," she asked Europe, "that it is your place to determine who should receive blessings from the gods and who should confront the darkest shadows of their mind without reprieve? In my village, some women appear strong in their actions but still mend broken spirits as they lie in bed at night. If you choose to live among us, I do not ask you to change who you are or what you believe, only to allow others the same freedom." Anaïs concluded her nocturnal soliloquy, "Tomorrow, I will take you to my village."

written while listening to:  John Lewis - Presents Contemporary Music: Jazz Abstractions (Atlantic Records, SD 1365, 1961, United States, lp, discogs.com)

September 27, 2024
There was a hardness in Europe that did not take kindly to this sermon. She had not been the recipient of such a reprimand since she had left her parents' home. She had half a mind to rise to her feet, stuff her blanket in Berenike's sack and stalk off into the darkness. Some confounding, abysmal combination of dearth of alternatives and truth in the words of Anaïs kept her from stirring. She resolved to make no reply but lacked the impulse control to hold to that resolution. "Take me to your village on the morrow or not, it's all the same to me."

written while listening to:  Loren MazzaCane Connors - A Possible Dawn (hatNOIR, 801, 1998, Switzerland, cd, discogs.com)

September 28, 2024
So it is with friendships, young and old; well-meant counsel is not always well-received. They marched in silence again under the orange light of dawn. The women passed along a ridge from which they looked down upon a gulf so large it nearly split the island in two. An ancient caldera, the rim had cracked, forming a narrow strait that allowed the Great Sea to fill the deep bowl. Far in the distance on the shore of the bay sat the city of Pyrrha. Anaïs had to choose between two descents—one to abandon Europe in Pyrrha, the other to bring her home.

written while listening to:  Caroline Davis' Alula - Captivity (Ropeadope, RAD-728, 2023, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 29, 2024
Unaware of her narrow escape, Europe followed Anaïs away from the gulf, back into the island's interior. She fell into a rhythm during the long hike. To the tempo of her walking, she mentally repeated as a refrain words which Anaïs had spoken last night, "There is no point to live in suffering." As was her wont, she turned this phrase into a declaration, "I don't believe that there is a point to live in suffering." Of her numerous denials, this one seemed to allow the best opportunity for an optimistic interpretation.

written while listening to:  Phill Niblock - Music By Phill Niblock (Experimental Intermedia Foundation, XI111, 2000, United States, cd, discogs.com)

September 30, 2024
So at last Anaïs led Europe to the hidden village of women, nestled in the hills of Lesbos. From a low bluff, the two travelers looked down upon a scattering of single-story buildings, constructed similarly to those in Antissa, and like the coastal town, free of any ostentatious ornament. No road, paved or otherwise, led to the community. A spiderweb of footpaths was used to allow the grass to cover their tracks. Tended fields were surrounded by curtains of trees to cloak them from distant eyes. Figures milled about the village with nary a man in sight.

written while listening to:  Tactical Maybe - untitled (Barefoot Records, BFREC075CD, 2022, Denmark, cd, discogs.com)