University of Virginia Library

Second Issue

'Unicorn' Shows National Potential

By Corbin Eissler

Unicorn Two, the second publication
of the literary magazine,
The Unicorn, is scheduled to come
out December 5. Judging from a
preview of its contents, it appears
that this issue is even better than
the first.

Part of the uniqueness and
appeal of the magazine is that its
editors are attempting to build up a
national circulation. This aspiring
professionalism gives the magazine
a breadth and tone that sets it apart
from the average university literary
magazine that seeks to solely reflect
the work being done in the
immediate area. Although this latter
goal is good, it is essentially
limiting.

Artistic Statement

The Unicorn has rejected this
limitation, and although its high
aspirations might sound a bit
pretentious, a literary magazine by
the very nature of its media must
have this independence to be good.
Its worth rests ultimately on the
artistic judgment of its creators,
who must build an artistic statement
and not just reflect.

For the most part the Unicorn
has succeeded. It has gained both
the professional outlook and the
breadth of material, without ignoring
the creative focal point of the
University, necessary to reach for a
wide circulation. It is, admittedly,
young. There are still problems. But
the potential is there and judging
from these first two issues it is
growing.

Experimental Music

The main outside contribution
in this issue is a poem by Philip
Levine titled "Red Dust." Mr.
Levine is an Associate Professor of
English at Fresno State College in
California. His specialty is creative
writing and he has two books of
poetry published now called "On
The Edge" and "Not This Pig."

Mr. Levine's poem in The
Unicorn is an original, unpublished
contribution.

In addition to this the issue
contains fifteen other poems drawn
primarily from the University community.
Another outside poem
though, that deserves mention, is an
untitled work by Eleanor Berry
who is a resident of Toronto. This
is a welcome contribution which
draws attention to the fact that
some of the best poetry that is
being written today comes out of
Canada.

This issue of The Unicorn also
has a bit of experimental music,
called "Through The Gates Of The
Silver Key" or "Three Fantasies in
Homage To H.P. Lovecraft" written
by Walter Ross. Mr. Ross is a
Professor of Music at the University.

One of the most attractive
aspects of The Unicorn is the way
that it mixes straight literary
material with art and graphics. The
art and photography in this magazine
should be even better than the
last issue, especially if the printing
errors that marred the last publication
can be avoided.

Fine Photography

Much of the drawing in this
issue is done by Ronald Fowler,
who was an art major at Marshall
University. Mr. Fowler is currently
dancing with the Washington Ballot
in Washington D.C. His art work
adds a sophistication to the magazine
which is complimented by the
fine photography and illustrative
works by other artists both inside
and apart from the University.

There are also two prose selections
offered, a short story by Dave
Baron and another story called
"Toro."

It is clear from the amount of
material in The Unicorn originating
at the University that the magazine
has not forsaken us. Although its
hopes are high, and perhaps justified,
it still draws its main support,
both creatively and financially,
from the University. This community
has not been noted for its
support for efforts of this type. It
could be said, after the acceptance
of its first issue, that The Unicorn
has survived almost in spite of the
University.

This is unfortunate. The Unicorn
is young, but it is one of the
best literary magazines outside of
the few professionals that I have
seen. It deserves a chance, it
deserves at least attention.

As a matter of interest, the
editors of the magazine are sponsoring
a concert featuring The Wide
Load on December 14. Admission
to the afternoon concert is one
dollar. If you wish to support a fine
attempt this is a chance. If you are
only a listener, why not?