The Atomic Voodoo Lounge | Speculative Noir Literary Podcast

"Lunchroom Odyssey" — Poetry by Maxwell Vagus — An Atomic Voodoo Lounge Podcast Short

The Atomic Voodoo Lounge | Speculative Noir Literary Podcast

Show Notes

“Lunchroom Odyssey” is a poem written and read by Maxwell Vagus , featured on Season 2: Episode 3 of The Atomic Voodoo Lounge Podcast. “Lunchroom Odyssey” What gods have I angered in my short life That once a school day I am cast adrift To walk upon mop-streaked linoleum, Scanning a tabled sea for just one friend, Soft harbor in a swell of misery? / What hubris did I display or boast make That I should descend to such a rancid place, Loath to meet the eyes of reddened faces Which laugh and point over lunchbox debris As I step gingerly across their stage? / What home will there be to return to now? An adolescent eternity spent Floating betwixt Scylla and Charybdis, Balancing plastic trays, strengthened my will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to spill. The Atomic Voodoo Lounge | Speculative Noir Literary Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free — LIKE TOTALLY, DUDE! — subscriber.

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Drop by New Stanton’s one and only surreal dive bar for speculative/noir poetry, fiction, and music. This second full episode of season 3 includes another “Back Alley Noir” focusing on Diabolique — a segment on noir and neo-noir film written by The DVD Vault. GOOD NEWS — My novel, New Stanton, is live on Amazon & Barnes and Noble! Pick up a copy of any edition if you can! And please don’t forget to leave a review! Spoken Word: Fiction & Poetry * “Back Alley Noir: Diabolique” — essay by The DVD Vault * “The Eyes Have It, See” — poetry by Maxwell Vagus Music * “Bone Dancer” by The Riptide Rats * THE ATOMIC VOODOO LOUNGE PODCAST PLAYLIST * SPOTIFY * APPLE MUSIC Cocktail of the Evening * The Empty Pool

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Oct 1, 2026

Drop by New Stanton’s one and only surreal dive bar for speculative/noir poetry, fiction, and music. This second full episode of season 3 includes another “Back Alley Noir” focusing on The Breaking Point — a segment on noir and neo-noir film written by The DVD Vault. GOOD NEWS — My novel, New Stanton, is live on Amazon & Barnes and Noble! Pick up a copy of any edition if you can! And please don’t forget to leave a review! Spoken Word: Fiction & Poetry * “Back Alley Noir: The Breaking Point” — essay by The DVD Vault * “The Eyes Have It, See” — fiction by Maxwell Vagus Music * “Livorno Twist” & “1000 Eyes” by Urban Surf Kings * THE ATOMIC VOODOO LOUNGE PODCAST PLAYLIST * SPOTIFY * APPLE MUSIC Cocktail of the Evening * Eye for and Eye Cocktail

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