by Stef Nunez
- Purchase a copy of Strange Magic on Amazon.
As an EIC for a lit mag and a reformed dramatic teenager, I’ve read more poems than I can count. Jay’s poetry was some of the very first I published as an editor, and I knew from first read that this man had colossal talent.
I’m the proud owner of his previous chapbook, Holy Things — which is an incredible read — but I wasn’t prepared for the impact Strange Magic had on me.
It’s true that this chapbook is dedicated to myself and L from Sage Cigarettes, and it’s also true that I found love and magic between these pages.
What prompted me to write this review was a text I sent to Jay confessing that I had read Strange Magic several times and was left in awe. Each poem is written in a language that is so uniquely “Jay” and yet never makes the reader feel out of place or left behind. In fact, it’s like an open invitation straight into his heart.
The poem “I’m magic too.” brings me to tears from its power. It’s a strong reminder to be brave and bold, a reminder that Jay has given to me personally more times than I can remember.
Believe in spite and memory of those
who will not or could not believe in their own.
Believe above all else that
you are magic.
“Remembering” is like a breath of nostalgic air, too sweet to exhale because it’s filled with memories of your favorite person.
I gushed over “Sweetheart” on my Snapchat feed of all places because I couldn’t keep it to myself.
Like a dopamine deluge
the heart’s golden syrup
gives itself up,
without choice
or harvest.
I could go on and on until every word in this book gets the praise it’s worthy of, but that would rob you of a journey you won’t regret taking.
I think the icing on top of the cake is that the cover art is done by his partner Allie, and it’s such a loving pairing that fills my heart. When we publish content, it’s this exact feeling that we aim to encapsulate and spread like the antithesis of a virus. A plague of warmth and understanding that Jay can always replicate because it represents everything good about him.
Alien Buddha puts out amazing content and I’m glad his work found a home here. It’s been quite the honor getting to know Jay as a person, a writer, a teammate, and a really wonderful friend. It will remain an equal honor rereading this chapbook for years to come.
Stef Nunez is the editor in chief of Sage Cigarettes Magazine.
