Eric Alrich, the man behind MOCS 1986, is a desert poet of sorts, living in Arizona by way of Massachusetts while working on his dissertation and teaching literature at Arizona State . He asked if Cold Splinters would post a few of his new works in lieu of sending them to various literary magazines, and after a quick read through, it was an easy choice.This is the first two of four, and we couldn't be happier that he wanted "monsoon" and "monsoon #2" to find a home here. The others will be posted in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.Enjoy.