For the Love of Doomed Things

or why I'm obsessed with Arthurian legend

ON DOOMED THINGS

Hello, changelings. Thank you for joining me around the glow of the fire once again. Do you feel the hushed breath of autumn on our necks? Can you see the Wild Hunt beginning its trek across the sky? I know I can, even though temperatures are still soaring here in Philadelphia. The old ways and the ancient Earth have their own thrum and rhythm, I think, that carries on in some ways no matter the havoc we wreak on the environment. 

Speaking of the old ways: after reading Nicola Griffith’s “Spear” for last month’s Selkie Book Club, I find myself thrown yet again into my deep love for Arthurian lore. I can’t tell you exactly what it is about this set of myths that have captivated me since I was a little thing. Maybe it’s the lilting queerness threaded through all the stories that Griffith pulled out beautifully. Maybe it’s the ancient sort of feeling in the myths; you have to peer past all the more modern curtains that Christians have thrown over the windows, but once you do, my gods. An entire world awaits you just beyond the glass. 

There is something so ancient about a king and a citadel and doomed love, isn’t there? Something inherently human about quests and secrets and loss. I think that’s my favorite part about Arthurian myths. No matter the mechanics, we know as the reader that Camelot is doomed. Merlin/Myrddin knew from the beginning there was always someone waiting in the darkness to take Arthur’s kingdom from him, and though there’s a thousand ways the pair attempt to remediate the situation—from simply ignoring it to drowning infants—they never succeed. Camelot is always doomed.

I think maybe I love doomed things. Things that are as destined to flower as they are to wither. Things bright as a meteor that by nature must crash into the earth and be reduced to rubble and ash. It’s strangely magical, isn’t it? What a relief that things must end. Nothing gold can stay, after all. 

Isn’t it funny—we all love doomed things. Our favorite flowers and our beloved family members and our dear familiars and our partners. The last blackberry on the branch at the cusp of September. Spring. The curl of woodsmoke as the fire goes out. Ourselves.

The only everlasting thing in this world is stories. We can take our beloved little doomed things and wrap a story around them, and though they are still fated for darkness, they will not fall into oblivion. 

So hold your little doomed things close and tell stories upon stories upon stories about them.

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS

if you’re in the mood for more unhinged stuff

“BEFORE I GO” - a flash fiction piece published with Fifth Wheel Press. Doors, madness, longing.

“FOUR OFFERINGS” - a short fiction piece published with The Raven Review. Doves, sacrifices, religious trauma.

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STUFF THAT HAS MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING (ANYTHING) LATELY

“BENEATH THE ALABASTER SPIRE” by ALLISON CARR WAECHTER:
Okay, don’t hate me — I did a beta read for my dear friend Allison, so this book isn’t out just yet, though you can read the first book in the series here. I absolutely adored this fantasy romance tale; it’s both a satisfying sequel to the first book and a whole new can of worms (in the best way possible.) Think light academia, whitewashed stone, cafes tucked into flowering courtyards, that fancy light-colored gravel rich people have. (Does anyone know what it is?) Allison has done such a fantastic job of bringing an air of political intrigue into this book, layering more and more tension until everything ~explodes~ in the best way possible. Be sure to follow her and check it out when it comes out later this year!

“THE SIREN OF SUSSEX” by MIMI MATTHEWS: Do you ever just need to read a book to feel alive again? To feel like that little kid who fell in love with books in the first place? That’s what I needed when Matthews’ latest release landed in my lap. It’s the most delightful romance! The chemistry between the characters is OFF THE CHARTS and yet it also is a VERY clean romance at the same time (as far as my barometer goes, lol.) If you’re into the Victorian era, horses, and fashion (WHICH IS AN ODDLY SPECIFIC MIX OF MY FAVORITE THINGS???) you gotta check it out.

LUCEM NEWSLETTER: My dearest Monica Robinson has the most delightful newsletter; poetry and art and light and beauty when you most need it. Featuring her own writing, recent publications and often an extremely excellent playlist recommendation, this newsletter is a lovely thing to have appear in your inbox regularly.

HARLOW & FOX: I joked on Instagram that you all come for my writing but stay for my luxury lingerie recommendations. No one thought it was funny, but that’s not the point. I wanted to tell you all about this fuller bust British brand that I’ve been aware of for many years, but woefully priced out of. (And that’s okay!) After like two years of having an alert set up on my eBay, I finally scored a $200 USD bra by this brand for a mere pittance of $40 USD shipped. I was prepared to not really like it ~that~ much and resell it or relegate to the back of my drawer. Historically, I’m not at all into underwire—it just doesn’t fit my shape. HAHAHA well, of course the goddamn $200 bra is the most comfortable (and not to mention beautiful) underwired piece I have worn in my entire life. Fuck. I can sense the bankruptcy. Anyway, my fellow DD+ lovelies, have a peek (and set up an eBay alert.)

{That’s all for now. Until the dark moon returns & the next story blooms. Yours, V.}