Ask the Author: Dennis Mahagin

Dennis Mahagin’s charming and irreverent work appears in the October issue and he talks to us about the why of dwarves, his favorite TV theme song, Kissimmee, FL, and more.

1. Why the seven dwarves?

As “soldiers of metaphor” I find the Seven Dwarves to be a heretofore underserved population.

2. What is your favorite T.V. theme song?

Without a doubt: “Sanford and Son”

3. Have you ever been to K-town, or as the outsiders call it Kissimmee? How did you like it?

Unfortunately, I’ve only been to the Kissimmee St. Cloud in my imagination. I’ve heard the rain squalls are very warm there! Bathwater, under the bridge.

4. What would a Jewish Party Rapper rap about? Give us some bars.

“Ack, sonny… My torpor for a song,
“I’m a threadbare busker —
from the town end of wrong!”

“Take dis power chair,
at no cost to you,
spin doughnuts at Denny’s,
and Carl’s Junior 2!”

“Go Shapiro! … Go Shapiro!”

5. While writing these, did you read them aloud? Would you ever read these poems in public?

Nah, I didn’t read them aloud while writing. The little guys were loud enough, in my mind.

The Dwarves would be a hard act to pull off, in public! That being said, I’d do it for money.

6. Which Disney character would you dress as?

I already dress as Goofy, pretty much every day of my life.