photography.poetry.paintings.music
k r i s s t a l o r e

November
2025
the so au contraire edition
so white
so very
black
​
Hmmm. A bit Over-whelmed
& mighty Under-inspired.
Disregarded. Dismissed.
Deflated. Negated.
Default setting to be the Contrary.
Unheard, … say what, huh ??
Re-repeating & re-re-re-repeating.
Nullify. Vilify. & Invisibilty cloak-tified.
Belittled.
Be !! Little !!
​
However. Here Ye.
Today. Truly realized.
Whole & synthesized !!
Armorized. Steel.
Tempered. Steel.
Forged. Steel.
Shielded. Steel.
Protected. Steel.
Spinal backbone. Titanium.
Detachment. Butterfly wings.
Impassive. Butterfly wings.
Open-mindedness. Butterfly wings.
Neutrality. Butterfly wings.
Just. Butterfly wings.
Is. Butterfly wings.
Am. Butterfly wings.
​
Familiar with. Well-trained. Accustomed to.
& have learned to accommodate this force.
This well-known outside influencers.
The well-known influence. Has actually helped me.
Diminishing overreacting regarding fleeting feelings.
Liberating egoistically emotionally puffing up of chest,
From all those I me me me mine inflating broadcastings.
Currently non-identifying with outwardly beastly creatures.
Nor inter-acting w/sublimating con-trolling-freaking screechers.
Let Go.
Let it Be.
Coo-coo.
( Ah-Choo. )
Yes. Now : Inwardly tranquility.
Finally infinite affinity.
Re-cognizing, re-meeting, re-greeting,
my own soul sole solitary speaker.
( bless you. )
Eye know who I am & all ways have.
( …. & it ain’t no walrus. )

so very contrary
by Kris Strell
sleepy town Stanwood
& c'mon & take
a rad red walk w/ me
two interconnected photographic views



new music
by Joe Strell

matt's muse.ings
poetry by Matt Turley
​
It was just the normal size, maybe smaller than the rest
But when you walked in through the door it nearly burst out of my chest
I feared my rushed response would betray my purity
So I stiffened my spine to keep from falling to my knees
Somehow you thought that I might be receptive to your pain
As you told me of your dad and how you wished that he had stayed
I thought you were so cool, so aesthetic and advanced
So I told myself that if you asked, I’d say “I’ll take a chance”
Photos on my phone and wall freeze the moments that we chose
To reveal and to remember all the things we loved the most
All the times we spent together distilled into memories
So I tried to look you up to see what happened in between
Maybe you are out there somewhere, probably not thinking of me
But for the person I knew before – know I’m feeling you fondly
I would not be who I am if not for the love that we shared
So in case you wonder ever – there still is someone who cares
Bigger Heart
August 2025. -Origin story -When I looked up an old friend, I learned that he had died recently of an accident. He is one of many influences for the poem, as are former lovers and loved ones, both real and imaginary.
the not so still lifes but somewhat rather loud paintings

8 original acrylic paintings by Kris Strell
music by LONG MARCH HOME
Kris & Joe Strell






