Author Archives: John Biscello

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About John Biscello

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, writer, poet, performer, and playwright, John Biscello, has lived in the high-desert grunge-wonderland of Taos, New Mexico since 2001. He is the author of four novels, Broken Land, a Brooklyn Tale, Raking the Dust, Nocturne Variations, and No Man’s Brooklyn; a collection of stories, Freeze Tag, two poetry collections, Arclight and Moonglow on Mercy Street; and a fable, The Jackdaw and the Doll, illustrated by Izumi Yokoyama. He also adapted classic fables, which were paired with the vintage illustrations of artist, Paul Bransom, for the collection: Once Upon a Time, Classic Fables Reimagined. His produced, full-length plays include: LOBSTERS ON ICE, ADAGIO FOR STRAYS, THE BEST MEDICINE, ZEITGEIST, U.S.A., and WEREWOLVES DON’T WALTZ.

Telegram

Posted on December 24, 2023 by John Biscello

Send a telegram from a future perspective to someone who resembles you in present time. In the telegram, tell the person resembling you who and what you would like to become. Assure them that this is not blackmail or psychic … Continue reading →

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Alignment

Posted on December 24, 2023 by John Biscello

Conceive of your body as the size of a planet. Notice that your body is inhabited by many things, each unique and unrepeatable in its design and imprint. Shrink yourself down to the size of an amoeba. Observe the uniquely … Continue reading →

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Before Beauty

Posted on December 23, 2023 by John Biscello

Count the number of wrinkles in the night sky. Count the number of wrinkles in the ocean. Tell the sky it is old and beautiful. Tell the ocean it is old and beautiful. Write a note saying—I am old and … Continue reading →

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Directory

Posted on December 23, 2023 by John Biscello

Pick a name at random from a phone book. Let’s say Shultz. Pick a second name at random from a phone book. Let’s say Espinoza. Call Schultz and pretend to be Espinoza. Call Espinoza and pretend to be Schultz. Then … Continue reading →

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Sleep Study

Posted on December 22, 2023 by John Biscello

Sleep. For days and nights sleep, days and weeks, sleep. Forget your children. Forget your husband. Forget your pets. Forget the state of your furniture. Forget the state you’re living in. Forget the bills that have to be paid. Forget … Continue reading →

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Mooning

Posted on December 22, 2023 by John Biscello

Go outside with a hand mirror on a full moon night. Breathe into the mirror. Then hold the mirror up to the moon at such an angle that moonlight is reflected into the palm of your free hand. Go to … Continue reading →

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Touch

Posted on December 21, 2023 by John Biscello

Bleed a sunset until your hands are dyed maraschino, until your palms are scorched. Then go to bed with someone you love. Undress them slowly. When you reach the unoccupied territory of bare skin, allow your hands to caress unremittingly. … Continue reading →

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Judy Garland

Posted on December 21, 2023 by John Biscello

Tell yourself Christmas is a Technicolor fantasy celebrated on the moon. Bring young Judy Garland to mind. Have her sing Christmas is a Technicolor fantasy celebrated on the moon, the lyrics improvisationally transmitted from your mind to her lips. While … Continue reading →

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Call and Response

Posted on December 20, 2023 by John Biscello

Find an old telephone booth. If you can’t find an old telephone booth, use a refrigerator box, or the dimensional equivalent. Enter the booth or box. Place a dime, real or imaginary, inside the phantom slot and place a call … Continue reading →

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Squared

Posted on December 20, 2023 by John Biscello

Gather in the town square. Bring a dummy that looks like you. Or like someone who imagines what you look like. Others will also bring their dummies. The square will be filled with dummies of all kinds. Stones will form … Continue reading →

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