an interval of sanctity
LATRELL “LALA” NOVALI
Author’s Note: A reflection on how ME/CFS, a complex, multi-system, energy-limiting disease has rendered me largely bedbound, but despite great grief and difficulty I have found solace and “sanctity” in the presence of the sun. Titled after Audre Lorde’s Chorus in The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde.
I awake to a gentle presence beyond blackout curtains. After feeble attempts to muster strength, they’re parted
and I am rewarded with a kiss.
The coat hanger atop my spine keeps me in check. No slump, bend, or reach is without repercussion. Reduced
to a pendulous sack of flesh and bone should I ever stand up for myself, I remain horizontal.
Memory spirals, embosoming my grief. Trepidatious of fate, I fragment. Her warm light transcends this
partition of my bedroom and the world, holding me together. Not enough to dispel the syndrome, but there is
medicine in her love, yet.
latrell "lala" novali (he/they) is a multi-passionate artist living on Massachusett land, excavating sites of nostalgia, ecology, survival and love for stories. He believes creative expression is integral to collective healing and liberation. They center community impact and their lived experiences as a Black, queer, disabled person in all they create.
Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine, Issue no. 2: Mystics & Saints. 6x9 paperback, 196 pages.
Contributors:
2026 CLARION POETRY PRIZE
Kale Hensley (Grand Prize Winner), Syed Hashmi (Runner-Up), Sam Beal (Runner-Up)
POETRY
Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore, D.W. Baker, Kara Barlow, e.l. biddle, Cat Brogan, Linda Bryant-Davis, Joseph Byrd, Halliday Carpender, Sophie Cornwell, Stephan Crown-Weber, Tony DiCarlo, Jané Dowd, Bart Edelman, Elliot, Beatriz F. Fernandez, Gretchen Gale, Charisse Gendron, Z.H. Gill, Ewen Glass, Fernando Jerez, Victor Kamhazi, Justin Karcher, Kristin Lueke, Merlin June Mack, Pip McGough, Mark J. Mitchell, KG Newman, Lisa Perkins, Patrick T. Reardon, jw summerisle, Skye Tarshis, François Tristan L'Hermite, Hanna Webster, Payson Whitwell, Rachael A. Zubal-Ruggieri
FICTION
Jer Hayes, Allen Kesten, Jamie LeFort, Christina Rauh Fishburne & Charlie Rauh, Taylor Thornburg, Fiona Vigo Marshall
CREATIVE NONFICTION
JH Lucas, latrell "lala" novali, Gina Twardosz
VISUAL ART
Edena Alvarado, Julieta Beltrán Lazo, Aubrienne Bergeron, Arch Budzar, Ashley Czajkowski, Lattea Falco, Zander Fieschko, Sarah Goodermuth, Hannah Greteman, Catie Hernandez, Kaitlyn “Thu” Hettinger, Sophia Huang, Jowonder, Martina McAteer, Mina Mond, Brigid O'Neil, Diana Story, Sydney Strickland, Émile Sylvain, Angel Teeth
Issue no. 2 is expected to release in June 2026. Please note that copies are printed-to-order and can take up to one month to be delivered.