SALENA GODDEN : MRS DEATH

Queer Death Stories Podcast

Hello beautiful friends and family~

Welcome to the second to last episode of QDS season 1!!!

And it makes so much sense that this would season would end with two of my favorite poetic souls, storytellers, and visionaries, that to me are kindness embodied.

First, the luminous poet & author Salena Godden sat down with me last fall to discuss modern grief, and the strange world we live in now after the Pandemic changed the world as we once knew it. Some months ago back in May, she was generous enough to join QDS for a virtual garden party, and read to us from her incredible book MRS DEATH MISSES DEATH. It was such a beautiful experience and a like a joyful reunion for our penpal style friendship, that has been one of a long distance shared love for the ocean, whales and of course poetry.

And this second conversation was a delightful opportunity to sit down, one on one, with the full moon rising over her home in London. She sat in illuminated by candle light and surrounded by books, and shared what her what her life has been like lately. She described the emotional landscape out in the world on her book tour, and what that has been like for her as a deep feeler who didn't anticipate writing a book that would become more like prophecy, than prose.

These days we are all witnessing collective grief, it's unescapable, hearing of so many people dying, losing loved ones, fearing the worst, and yes fighting with each other. And through her point of view I learned, that like me, so many others are drawn towards her, and her book because we are searching for a way to talk about what is happening. It's not easy being fabulous. Seriously, she has heard the heartbreak, and the worries, and sadness, and hugged many strangers who resonate with her words and create shrines in the back of their books! This is no ordinary book!it comes up front with a WARNING. This book is about DEATH. It's an EPIC story, one for the ages, and I feel it will especially speak to Queer Grievers. The central characters are Wolf and Mrs Death , a wounded, non binary child in despair, and a shapeshifting old woman, who people go out of their way to ignore. What I love the most is the soft undulating underscore of hope and connection. Mrs Death is cautioning us to wake up to see each other's pain, to listen to each other, to be activists for change, and it's the balm we need so desperately in a weary world torn to shreds by sadness.

In celebration of the paperback edition, out someday soon in the US, I would absolutely love to start another QDS book club to re read this book and discuss it, please reach out if you're interested. The best way to find Salena Godden is on IG or Twitter, go say HELLO, and tell her Moon says HI! Find me there too, and let's talk about death and queerness baby!

The next episode, wraps my first season.

And appropriately I spoke with Star Poet, Soothsayer, and heart melter Olivia Pepper, also known as Elvy and Pepper.

We talked about Queer Grief, and as usual I loved listening to their observations, their grief forecast, their gentle voice that synthesizes kindness.

Thank you all so much for listening, reviewing my podcast with also helps, please share with your friends and family, it really helps me so much.

As always with love,

Moon Fang