Skeleton Key

This anthology is a collection of poems, stories and paintings by acclaimed writer and artist Rex Sexton (1946-2015). Some of the works were previously published in the highly-praised collections: The Time Hotel, Night Without Stars, Constant is the Rain and X-Ray Eyes. Others presented here are new works never published before within a collection. Sexton's outlook was fatalistic and dark, as reflected in his poetry, short stories and paintings. Nevertheless, his love of life and its mysteries were limitless. He revered nature and the complexities of the universe, which provided optimism in a world riddled by strife. His empathy for the poor and disenfranchised was boundless and this quality is reflected in his writings and art. Of one of his stories in Night Without Stars: "The palette is Edward Hopper's, the ironic tone O. Henry's. 'Our Town' playfully affirms Thornton Wilder's morbid vision through gloomy imagery. The poems (are) rich with alliteration, internal rhymes, assonance and puns ... They have broader application, universalizing human depravity ...Sexton's talent for social commentary and character sketching marks him as - in a title he gives a character in 'Chop Suey' - the Modigliani of the Mean Streets" Kirkus Reviews. Also of Night Without Stars: "There is a wild beauty behind the 'lullaby' of hopelessness described in so many of this collection's poems ... The joy of the collection is that it contains not just poetry but also prose and painting. This collision of forms pushes the reader to see poverty, hopelessness, and survival in many different perspectives ... Amidst the dark reality of life, there is hope that future generations 'can have a better life, ' one full of stars, dreaming, and light." Lisa Bower ForeWord Clarion Reviews Of his novel Paper Moon: "Renowned surrealist painter Rex Sexton is also a highly-regarded writer, imbuing his fiction and poetry with the same startling vision and mastery he displays in his artwork. His newest novel, Paper Moon, dazzles with words, just as his paintings do with form and color ..." Cheryl Hibbard ForeWord Reviews