Mad Swirl

10/13/2026

If you're seekin' a chivalrous read, "How Gallantry and Bad Jokes Were Invented" by Contributing Writer Jenean McBrearty probably isn't it!

Here's how this tale spins:

“You have been chosen to liberate the Homeland.”

Sir Gandle reined his horse. “Chosen by whom?” he asked, looking heavenward.

“What?”

“Not what. Who chose me?” Gendle waited, shrugged, and rode on.

“Stop!” the voice said. “Give me a minute.”

Gandle halted. “Hurry up.”

A man in coarse clothing leading a donkey stepped from behind the hedges that lined the forest path. “Fate chose you.”

“I don’t believe in fate.”

“Alright, then the Bunbury Committee to Save the Homeland chose you. The committee told me, Easterbrook, go to the fork in the road. The first person you see will be the chosen one.’ You’re the first person — well there was that damsel in distress I helped undress, the three witches who hexed me w**e and made me do odd things with wooden toys, and a boy with a stolen goat. Then you.”

Gandle thought for a moment. “Nope. Can’t do it. I haven’t time to save anyone’s Homeland. Cheerio!”...

See who reluctantly saves the Homeland at MadSwirl.com!

(photo "Adventurer" by Tyler Malone)

“You have been chosen to liberate the Homeland.” Sir Gandle reined his horse. “Chosen by whom?” he asked, looking heavenward. “What?” “Not what. Who chose me?” Gendle waited, shrugged, and rode on.…

10/13/2026

Here's what's swirlin' today in Mad Swirl's Poetry Forum...

“seduced" by Contributing Poet Roy N. Mason

To read THIS poem & even MORE mad poetry & prose & peruse some swirlin' art too, please visit MadSwirl.com!

we all do, and will make mistakes- knowingly, and of course unknowingly… often calculated, believing it’s for a greater good. sometimes we make them, hoping they won’t be, or mitigation will …

10/12/2026

Here's what's swirlin' today in Mad Swirl's Poetry Forum...

“Occasionally Exquisite” by Contributing Poet Amita Sarjit Ahluwalia

To read THIS poem & even MORE mad poetry & prose & peruse some swirlin' art too, please visit MadSwirl.com!

He is impatient with poets, in fact he is almost openly contemptuous of them as writers of no consequence, no commitment, no gravitas- mere butterflies or soap bubbles with short lives and even sho…

10/11/2026

Here's what's swirlin' today in Mad Swirl's Poetry Forum...

“Used Books” by Contributing Poet Jason Melvin

To read THIS poem & even MORE mad poetry & prose & peruse some swirlin' art too, please visit MadSwirl.com!

I picked up Billy Collins Nine Horses for $3 at Half-Price Books the 1st poem “A Night Letter to the Reader” had notes written in all the margins sloppy handwriting and underlines squished among th…

10/11/2026

"When you look at art made by other people, you see what you need to see in it." ~ Alberto Giacometti

Open your eyes and see what you see inside this week's edition of "The Best of Mad Swirl!"

“When you look at art made by other people, you see what you need to see in it.” Alberto Giacometti ••• The Mad Gallery ••• “Inner Demon” by Featured Artist Madelyn Olson To see ALL of …

10/10/2026

If you need a dreamy read, then wake up and check out "Release" by Contributing Writer & Poet Susie Gharib!

Here's a few sleepy steps to get your started:

(Inspired H.H.)

The biological clock was vehemently ticking, like the persistent crows of an efficient c**k. She rose under the urge and headed to the loo, without consulting the call of reason that enjoins one to examine decisions before their ex*****on. Sitting on the toilet seat, she began to experience the indescribable relief, anticipated when under the pressure of an imminent flood. As the liquid was flowing, the ears were regaled by the sound of the gurgling waterfall. Before the termination of the act, she suddenly spotted her son opposite, remonstrating loudly in words she could not make out, but his gesticulations pleaded with her to stop. As soon as he vanished, her younger son appeared to be alerting her in the same style. She instantly interrupted the release and headed back to her bedroom, where at the door she was met by her husband, who took her hand and gently led her to bed...

Tip-toe on over to MadSwirl.com to get the rest of this resting read on!

(photo "Awake?" by Tyler Malone)

(Inspired H.H.) The biological clock was vehemently ticking, like the persistent crows of an efficient c**k. She rose under the urge and headed to the loo, without consulting the call of reason tha…

10/10/2026

Here's what's swirlin' today in Mad Swirl's Poetry Forum...

“Boneyards” by Contributing Poet Julia Vaughan

To read THIS poem & even MORE mad poetry & prose & peruse some swirlin' art too, please visit MadSwirl.com!

Obsolete items Stored, forgotten, cannibalised Stripped of anything useful To make something new, or fix something else. Like my sewing bag Scraps, waiting for just the right project Waiting for ye…

10/09/2026

Here's what's swirlin' today in Mad Swirl's Poetry Forum...

“Calico” by Contributing Poet Jenna Restel

To read THIS poem & even MORE mad poetry & prose & peruse some swirlin' art too, please visit MadSwirl.com!

Still as the paws of the calico who rests her chin on my hands in the midst of a storm A chair flies above an aching head, so close that hairs whoosh along with it But she stays, subtle bobs of the…

10/08/2026

This past 1st Wednesday of October (aka 10.07.26) Mad Swirl Open Mic was found whirling up the Swirl at Barbara’s Pavillion, getting the Mad mic opened for ALL you Mad ones out there!

This month we featured Contributing Poet and New Mexican Trier Ward! And what a feature she delivered to us! If you were there you know what we mean! If not, check out our live feed at the end of this post.

Grats to ALL the participators & swirlabrators who swirled up some mic madness with us:

Feature:
Trier Ward

Hosts:
Johnny O
MH Clay

Musical Overture:
Swirve (Chris Curiel & Gerard Bendiks with special guest Rick Eye )

Open Mic:
Johnny O
MH Clay
Desmene Statum
Chris Zimmerly
Rosie Lindsey
Alan Gann
Christopher Soden
VP Crowe
Robert Wynne
Brett “BA” Ardoin
CJ Critt
Tim Cloward
Harry McNabb
Brian Duran-Fuentes
Jean Galante
Alex
Brigham Petit
Victoria
Kaitlyn Capps
Suza Kanon

We know you have a choices of what to do with your Wednesday night & we’re thrilled you picked lil ol’ us to hang out with!

Stay tuned ’til next 1st Wednesday (aka 11.04.26) when we will be swirlabrating 22 YEARS of open mic madness!

Peace,
Johnny O & MH Clay

P.S. Here is what you mighta spied with your lil eye if you the LIVE feed of our open mic: