AJAMU (Ajamu Mwita lyapo a.k.a. Michael F. Hopkins) is the author of A KIND OF TWILIGHT (Smiling Cat Publications), THE FOURTH MAN (Textile Bridge Press), and two ongoing columns on Arts & Culture - Blood's Edge: A Critical Forum and Toon-up! A Sequential Arts Review.

As a lecturer for SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Ajamu conceived the first courses ever offered on the groundbreaking speculative author Octavia E. Butler, the Pulitzer-winning satire of Doonesbury, and the pan-ethnic fantasy Elfquest.

Currently, the author is an Associate Editor for the Buffalo Alternative Press.
THE DREAMER'S EYE
Reflections on THE SANDMAN. For
Sequential author Neil Gaiman.

Nearby, a singer strikes changes 
from the wind, questioning 
the whimsy of the factual

moments before comforting
her wife, expecting child.

The Faithful gave up their search for 
God, setting on a real hero

if seomeone would just proclaim one.

Elsewhere, a homeless witch stumbles 
onto Truth, wisely demanding a rewrite,

and a percentage.

All of this filters through between ravens,
talking pumpkins, and the Devil at Mardi
Gras, sneaking in a quick lick of Joy 
To The World

just for kicks.

Meanwhile, Death took a holiday, 
and was last seen in SoHo,

pondering the need for meanness,

while relishing the karmic quality

of hot dogs