Alli Warren’s new chapbook, SCHEMA, came in the mail from Stephanie on Monday, with a grid of cover photo details courtesy of Alli’s own photo blog–for whatever reason, I’m particularly creeped out by what appears to be a flickering screen capture of John Kerry’s weary talking head. And other sources of light & roundness: a camera lens, a lamp, two sinks, an open mouth.

Best of all, though, is the jumble of letters that make up the title. I know the book’s called SCHEMA but I just can’t make the letters form that shape; the word they keep forming to me is “chasm,” though that leaves me the question of what to do with the extra “e.” Or “aches,” with an extra “m.”