In December of 1847 the Fox family moved into a rented home in Hydesville, New York State. The house was reputed to be haunted as the previous occupants had reported hearing strange noises at night. This proved to be a fertile environment for two of the family's three daughters, Margaretta and Catherine Fox, who convinced their older sister, Leah, and many others, that a spirit they called Mr. Splitfoot enabled them to communicate with the dead. The sisters were successful mediums for many years, were fêted by the rich and famous and visited Europe, but were eventually unmasked as frauds. Or were they? These fascinating events are the basis for Matt Bialer's new epic poem.
Matt Bialer is the author of many books of poetry including
Radius
and
Wing of Light
(Les Editions du Zaporogue),
Already Here
,
Ark
Black Powder
, (Black Coffee Press),
Bridge
Frequencies
The Valley of the Eight
(Leaky Boot Press),
Tell Them What I Saw
(PS Publishing),
He Walks On All Fours
Kings of Men
(Dynatox Ministries),
Formation
(Weirdo Magnet) and
Ascent
(Bizarro Pulp Press). His poems have appeared in print and online journals including
Le Zaporogue
Green Mountains Review
Gobbet
Forklift Ohio
H_NGM_N
. He is an acclaimed black and white street photographer and watercolorist who has exhibited widely. Matt lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn.