Kate Boyes is a speculative nature writer who focuses on the near-future environments of Earth, Mars, and several exoplanets.
Her work is included in Climbing Lightly Through Forests, a poetry anthology honouring Ursula K. Le Guin. Her debut novel, Trapped in the R.A.W., was published by Aqueduct Press.
Bark & Bone Contribution
Kate’s poem masquerades as a survival guide addressed ‘To All Travellers Who Must Pass a Night in the Forest of Vampire Bears’. Here’s a snippet:
Forget myths about age, size, or colour of eyes
shielding you from attack, as scent alone inflames
the gnawing blood-thirst of the species ursus vampirus.
When snuffling and paw thuds draw nigh, stay silent;
will yourself not to think of those crusted
claw slashes you saw on aspen skin.
Don’t strike too soon! This picky predator
might loathe your smell, pass by. But when you
must, thrust your knife into the bear’s neck and twist…
Listen to Kate Boyes read ‘To All Travellers Who Must Pass a Night in the Forest of Vampire Bears’ here:
Other Publications Include:
Space Cat Press 