As chaos attempted to prevail during 2020, the monsters of the world emerged from unlikely places. Junpei Tarashi's poems, "Thanatos Tales" and "Beast Beats," explore this notion, and are now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Junpei's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Entirely dependent on where in the city you are - Baltimore City is one of the many locations in the country were the impacts of different structural resources and their availability by zip code has made itself all the more apparent during this pandemic.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

I've been re-reading Banana Fish, so go figure.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

Surprisingly, the “Magnus Archives!” It's an incredible horror podcast whose 5th season is surprisingly relevant to our current times.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

My consistent schedule of writing is gone with the wind :(

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

I've been meaning to write a queer chapbook for as long as I've known I can write, so I'm always determined to get started on that.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

My friends (who are co-editors with me at our own publication) have been an incredible source of support.

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?

No one knows if the lynx ever died / or made the dying / way back home / it’s still chewing I / think we watch / wandering wonder / wait

ABOUT Junpei tarashi

Junpei Tarashi works as an Editor to the Agapanthus Collective, and thinks often about how much of a better life frogs lead. Their most recent work has appeared in Chambers, The Open Culture Collective, and After Happy Hour Review.

Thanks for chatting, Junpei!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Junpei Tarashi