The Poor Print

A compilation of various tracks of popular and classical music inspired by the theme of this issue, with some text explaining that you need to scan the code using the Spotify app on your mobile device. Now, how many of you actually listen to the playlist? Each one was carefully curated by one of our […]

Music score

Erwin Schrödinger

by Jerric Chong

Comment, Prose

Evolution, Eugenics and Euthanasia

by Vittorio P. Cuneo-Flood I will begin with the premise. Then, with painstaking care, I will draw out some conclusions. I hope that you disagree with the conclusions; I’m sure you’ll be shocked by some. But then, why? Is it because the premise is wrong, or because the argumentation is flawed? At what point? You […]

Poetry

Mind Palace

by TMRH In this, I lock the time I spentGazing at your neck(From behind.)In this, I store the touch of your handRevealing your thoughts(Held in mine.)In this, I preserve an image of youDancing with your shoes untied(Yet not falling.)And in this, I keep a fleeting hueOf your scentWhen you bent(Over to me)Wish me goodnightAnd smile.

Poetry, Translation

Silence / 无言

by Yu Yan Years to come Cast foggy vagueness In the trembling heart. Tears Perch on the empty mind, Pushing forth burning memories. Hands Clutch the restrained passion, Robbed of the parting words. Dismissed as a shallow footstep Leading to predestined eventualities, The present Shines in the soul’s entirety. 将至之年在颤栗的心头倒映雾杳的朦胧泪水在搁浅的思绪里栖居荡漾出炽热的回忆双手紧扣矜持的眷恋难寻离别之语无非是奔赴命定光阴的轻浅足印今朝闪熠在灵魂的每个角落

Artwork, Cartoon, Comic, Humour

Rude Frog

by Siddiq Islam

Print issues

Issue #97 – Consciousness

A PDF of the print version of Issue #97 – Consciousness – can be downloaded here.

Playlist

Habits Playlist

OK, you probably already know what to expect here. A compilation of various tracks of popular music inspired by the theme of this issue, with some text explaining that you need to scan the code using the Spotify app on your mobile device. Now, how many of you actually listen to the playlist? Each one […]

Puzzle

Cryptic Crossword [6]

by Siddiq Islam Editor’s note: The solutions to this puzzle are available here. Across 1 Rest on back wheel (6) 4 Beginner with no pen eraser (6) 9 Era of mindless rage (3) 10 Last of cacti in Sahara ill (5) 11 To hang but with no initial laughing allowed (3) 12 Hilly Tour d’England […]

Comment, Prose

The Elephant in the Room

by Vittorio P. Cuneo-Flood A habit is a quality of the soul which disposes us to certain acts; a virtue is a good habit which dis— … woah woah woah, hold on a second … soul?! Aren’t humans, like, the product of millions of years of evolution or something? How can we sincerely claim that […]

Artwork

My Name

by Yu Yan

Art, Culture, Prose

AULT: Mastering the Craft

by David Akanji Welcome to AULT, the arts and culture column of The Poor Print, written by David Akanji (me). AULT exists to refocus our minds, re-engaging ourselves with art and cultural understanding. I’ll be focusing on current opinions/events/issues in the art world, but more importantly how we as students, citizens, and humans fit into it. […]

Artwork

‘I’m Drowning, Again!’

by Claudia Hutuleac Editor’s note: A black-and-white version of this drawing, as published in the print issue, is available here.

Poetry, Translation

A Dream / Un Rêve

by Yu Yan A Childplaying on the ground.An Adult comes,the castle collapses,she settles in another grassland.The school pronounces wronglyher name, and childrengiggling ask,Where are you from.Why? she says,I come from afar.She takes the train to dig upher lost snowman, only to finda hostile kingdomwhose entrance code has changed. Un Enfantjouant à même le sol.Un Adulte […]

Print issues

Issue #96 – Habits

A PDF of the print version of Issue #96 – Habits – can be downloaded here.

Print issues

Issue #95 – Opinions

A PDF of the print version of Issue #95 – Opinions – can be downloaded here.

Poetry

On That Fond Place of Baconnated Breathing

by Benjamin Elliot Nolan A bench stands alone We once sat there Me and you Then you turned to raspberry blue Do you even remember Happy days, dulcet decembers Us two sitting there In fumeur formation Now just you Those pretted eyes that I despise Does it taste the same Can you explain Coffee grounds […]

Playlist

Opinions Playlist

As a fellow person, we’re sure you have some opinions about current affairs in the world today: political unrest, environmental concerns, human rights, just to name a few. Protest and outcry find their way into literature, into art and into music. We invite you to think about ways in which you want to express your […]

Music score

Echoes of Thought

for narrator and solo instrument by Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti This performance art piece aims to engage the audience with a thoughtful exploration of diverse opinions, with the narrator and solo instrument weaving together a combination of both introspection and emotion. Editor’s note: Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti kindly suggests that recorded performances of this piece be sent in to him by email […]

Humour, Prose

‘Dear Beary …’ [24]

by Beary McBearface Hello there! My name’s Beary, one of the giant teddy bears who hang out in the JCR – I’m the brown one; my purple counterpart is John Henry. As The Poor Print’s self-anointed agony aunt, I’m here to help you with any troubles you’re facing. Please send me your college (or general) worries, […]

Art, Culture, Prose

AULT: Must Good Art Involve Pain?

Artwork

The coolest imo

by Claudia Hutuleac

Prose

Hindsight Is a Horrible Thing

by Anonymous Strolling I was, down the soft dunes of a sea-facing shore. A man squatted, staring out at the susurrous undulations before him. His eyes glowed like pearls, his skin fair and spotless. His cheeks proudly rose out from dark hairs around his chin. How beautiful a beard can be on a man. And he […]

Prose

Pursue Pleasure

by Vittorio P. Cuneo-Flood I’m a raging hedonist, As hedy as can be. You’ve never met a man who loves Pleasure more than me. Never ever I tell Thee! Let me assume, that you, like me, wish to live the most pleasurable existence possible. It seems to me, that since this is the ultimate aim […]

Print issues

Issue #94 – Realism

A PDF of the print version of Issue #94 – Realism – can be downloaded here.

Poetry

Soldier’s Breakfast

by Siddiq Islam Pile up a few more eggs onto my plate. They lie there slopped among the ample meats. Another meal the same and never late, The yolks devoured. On my brute mouth eats. The camp is calm and peaceful, full of hate. How lovely next to bombed, imprisoned streets. What separates is nothing but a gate, My army and the […]

Poetry

Performative Self-Contradiction

by Vittorio P. Cuneo-Flood Darst thou accuse me of being a fool, If I hold to the truth: ’tis the same for us all. The gall! The cheek! That you would dare say: We live in a lie so there isn’t a way. Nay, I do not mind to disagree, But I can’t accept, that you are free To say […]

Artwork

Crucified

by David Akanji

Editorial, Prose

A Word from the Editors: Realism

by Siddiq Islam REALISM – late 18th century: from real + -ism, after German Realismus Realism is humans’ attempt at capturing the world around them in a ‘realistic’ way. The word applies itself in many contexts, from the art world, where painters try to depict natural objects as accurately as possible rather than the more symbolic […]

Comment, Prose

Realism Resurgent: Lessons from Ukraine

by Anna Bartlett In 2023 there are more state-based conflicts than in any other year since the end of World War Two. Is this a return to realism or a signal of a new era of conflict? One of the oldest approaches to global politics, realism in international relations highlights the primacy of state self […]

Poetry, Translation

乡愁 / Homesickness

by 席慕蓉 (Xi Murong), translated by Yu Yan 故乡的歌是一支清远的笛总在有月亮的晚上响起故乡的面貌却是一种模糊的怅惘仿佛雾里的挥手别离离别后乡愁是一棵没有年轮的树永不老去 Songs from my hometown are the silvery tinkling of a bamboo flute, always heard on the moon-adorned night. The landscape of my hometown, however, is the vagueness of a dejection, as if waving goodbye to me in a fog. After we part, […]

Culture, Music, Music score, Prose

Realism Unleashed: Sonic Choreography

by Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti Embrace sonic realism through Sonic Choreography: use your body’s movements to create a living auditory canvas that captures the everyday. Sonic Choreography is an innovative way to express everyday realism. Your visual map becomes a musical score, translating the everyday into a unique auditory performance. For instance, once the idea has been […]

Humour, Poetry

Sonnet to the Pigeon That Keeps Excreting and Trying to Get into My Room

by Tarquin Parry-Wingfield Sonnets speak of love, mine will speak of hate; Our relationship quickly went downhill, When you kindly began to defecate Both on and inside my two window sills. You know what you have done, you must feel smug; To make it worse, you litter your feathers; Did no one warn you that we all hate thugs? I am […]

Print issues

Issue #93 – Origin

A PDF of the print version of Issue #93 – Origin – can be downloaded here.

Puzzle

Word Search: Origin

BEGINNINGBIRTHCREATIONGENESIS INCEPTIONLAUNCHORIGINPARENT ROOTSEEDSOURCESTART

Poetry

Original Thought

by Siddiq Islam Darst thou accuse me of incompetence, Of such patheticism? What nonsense! That I could not formulate out of nought What might be called an ‘Original Thought’, A concept that no other man has conjured, But when was the last time somebody wondered: How many iPhone chargers tall my mum is; If Hello […]

Artwork, Cartoon

Chicken or Egg

by Anonymous

College, Music, Prose, Reviews

October Champagne Concert 2023: A Review

by Jerric Chong As you will undoubtedly have gleaned from the grey, hulking buildings occupying the northern half of Oriel’s usually picturesque Second Quad, the Senior Library is out of commission as one of the nicest spaces to study in Oxford, instead awaiting its conversion into a temporary dining facility while the hall closes (for […]

Playlist

Origin Playlist

For more inspiration on this issue’s theme, check out this playlist, curated by one of our editors. It features some popular tunes you may (or may not) have heard before, and the tracks they sample. Listen and embark on a journey of discovery while reading the first issue of the new academic year! To access the playlist, […]