Swim Press publishes emerging writers however some submissions land in our inbox which are not eligible to be published in our journal, therefore we showcase them on our blog.
For issue 11 decay, Jo discusses decay through the growth of fungi, slow rotting, and the spawning of ink.
Prayer to Robigus, God of Mildew and Fungi
Harsh Robigo, hear me, I beg,
though begging cradles imperative
same as command,
I pull your hand like an eager child,
my fingers stalks of wheat, please,
I am an ear of corn, wind-split and bending
before you, full of blood to spill,
leave the harvest be, crops wilt flimsy
and too easy under your gaze,
turn your talents to my withering body instead,
once I turn husk will you cover me
with red rust of your blight,
with powdery grey of your rot,
your creeping tattoo of mould?
Grow a bier of tinder fungus under me,
limp toes the wicks, make divine light
of my mortal yield, forgo newborn pups
as sacrifice, take my old flesh that will fester long,
feeding your children, my old flesh that will leave
more bones to moss and pull deep into the old, old earth.
by Jo Brandon (@impwithaquill Insta)
Entangled Life
After Merlin Sheldrake’s text on fungi.
I am your ink cap,
nutty, bitter to some.
Gather me.
Jar-sealed
till our flesh
is a free-spore deliquesce
into Coprinus ink;
finger-smeared, smudged
into deep stain –
your name cursive-tangled
with mine.
by Jo Brandon (@impwithaquill Insta)
Pre-orders for issue 11 decay open Sunday 22nd November 2026. Keep an eye on our storefront.