The byline as poetic material, transform authorship itself into codework.

The byline as poetic material, transform authorship itself into codework.

Salie Davis

Salie+++Davis
Salie /dev/null Davis
Salie rm -r Davis
Salie Davis
Salie_Davis.tmp
salie@language:~$
Salie [connection interrupted]
/home/salie/poem/not_found

A poet can apply this by changing the byline throughout a sequence: In Unix-like systems, /dev/null is associated with the disposal of data, while rm -r suggests recursive deletion. Placed inside a name, such commands make the signature perform self-erasure. The author becomes a file, process, command, or malfunction. The signature can reveal changing emotional or fictional states. The author may appear to be uploaded, divided, deleted, renamed, archived, or reconstructed.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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