Duality & Paradox

The Nature of Things is a literary magazine produced by Lone Mountain Literary Society, a collective of writers, editors, and artists based in San Francisco. At the heart of our work lies an exploration of the paradoxes of life and reality—those mysterious, often contradictory forces that shape our existence. We are drawn to stories, poems, and art that reflect the complex dance between light and dark, joy and sorrow, creation and destruction. Our interests lie in the spaces where transformation and metamorphosis occur, and where philosophical contemplation meets emotional depth. In this, our third release, we dive deeper into these paradoxes, inviting readers to journey with us into the sacred spaces where dualities converge and new truths unfold. Within these pages, you'll encounter a rich array of poetry, fiction, and fine art that collectively probes the essence of being. Each work is a unique expression of the ever-unfolding mystery of experience, offering glimpses into the spaces between thought, between breaths, where the deeper truths of existence are often felt, but rarely spoken. Our poetry invites you to step into the silence between words, where meaning lingers in the pauses, where rhythm becomes a pulse connecting the internal with the external. The verses are not just crafted with beauty, but with an intentionality that bends the philosophical mind, stirring emotions and offering insight into the complexities of human consciousness. Each poem is a meditation on the fragile yet resilient nature of being, probing our relationship with time, memory, and change. In the fiction, we encounter narratives that transcend the boundaries of traditional storytelling. These stories are not linear or simple, but instead explore the chaotic, the experimental, and the uncanny. They invite the reader to question reality, to embrace uncertainty, and to explore the liminal spaces between the known and the unknown. The characters we meet in these tales are often caught in moments of profound metamorphosis, navigating the paradoxes of their own existence, as they confront the mysteries of life, death, and transformation. The fine art featured in this issue mirrors these themes, offering visual interpretations of the same existential questions we wrestle with in our writing. Each piece invites you into a world where form and meaning blur, where abstraction and representation coexist, and where the boundaries between the inner and outer worlds dissolve. The art is not simply meant to be admired, but experienced—a visual counterpart to the poetry and fiction that asks the viewer to reflect, to question, and to embrace the mystery of existence. At Lone Mountain Literary Society, we strive to create a space for work that challenges the conventions of storytelling and visual art. We are drawn to the weird, the dark, and the experimental, seeking out voices and perspectives that refuse to conform to easy answers. As editors, our aim is not only to uncover brilliant new work, but to curate a collection that feels both timeless and urgent—an invitation to explore the depths of human experience, through art, through words, and through the lens of paradox. The Nature of Things offers no fixed answers but instead opens a shared journey of discovery. Through the creative expressions of poetry, fiction, and art, we invite you to explore the sacred mysteries of what it means to be alive. As Alan Watts so eloquently put it, "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." We invite you to join us in that dance—mindfully, joyfully, and with an open heart.