Dear readers,
At the time of this writing of the editorial, it's already April! The wheel of the year is moving quickly now. We have celebrated Ostara and a time of hope, rebirth and change.
We are delighted to find out that one of our poets, PS Cottier, have been nominated for the Rhysling Award for speculative poetry. You can read her delightful poem 'Lycium Barbarum' in the Nightshade issue here.
We are more delighted to have poets coming back with more poignant poetry in this issue. AXIL is a relatively difficult concept to explore. In botany, an axil is "the upper angle between a leaf stalk or branch and the stem or trunk from which it is growing." It serves as support, lifting the leaf stalk or bud up. So, we expected to read poetry exploring support, uplifting, community and outreach with shadow aspects of loss, isolation and lack of community. For many people, they find comfort in like-minded people. What joy is it to have a community who uplifts and supports you! However, our hearts go to those who have slipped through the cracks, fallen through the support nets, and find themselves lost, bereft.
Linda M. Crate's poems should be read as a triptych. They are painful, poignant, and true, speaking of loss and rage. They explore the shadow aspects of axil in all its depths and it does deep. The abuse of trust, the loss of friendship and the tearing pain of being alone in a seemingly hateful world. We wonder why such poems ring through with us - and we turn to such things like the media, the communities around us and we go "yes, that's why." Perhaps, these poems are challenging us to confront the things in us, in our lives. The demons, the darkness in us and in the community. And fight it, with fang and claw.
Lauren Walsburg's photographs are just gorgeous splashes of color that we are happy to sink into. They bring such needed courage and strength to uplift us in times of darkness and despair. Revenge and descending into darkness will give way to victory and inspiration.
Brew a pot of hot bracing tea and enjoy the poetry and photography. May this issue be a source of comfort and support for you.
Joyce, Editor-in-Chief
At the time of this writing of the editorial, it's already April! The wheel of the year is moving quickly now. We have celebrated Ostara and a time of hope, rebirth and change.
We are delighted to find out that one of our poets, PS Cottier, have been nominated for the Rhysling Award for speculative poetry. You can read her delightful poem 'Lycium Barbarum' in the Nightshade issue here.
We are more delighted to have poets coming back with more poignant poetry in this issue. AXIL is a relatively difficult concept to explore. In botany, an axil is "the upper angle between a leaf stalk or branch and the stem or trunk from which it is growing." It serves as support, lifting the leaf stalk or bud up. So, we expected to read poetry exploring support, uplifting, community and outreach with shadow aspects of loss, isolation and lack of community. For many people, they find comfort in like-minded people. What joy is it to have a community who uplifts and supports you! However, our hearts go to those who have slipped through the cracks, fallen through the support nets, and find themselves lost, bereft.
Linda M. Crate's poems should be read as a triptych. They are painful, poignant, and true, speaking of loss and rage. They explore the shadow aspects of axil in all its depths and it does deep. The abuse of trust, the loss of friendship and the tearing pain of being alone in a seemingly hateful world. We wonder why such poems ring through with us - and we turn to such things like the media, the communities around us and we go "yes, that's why." Perhaps, these poems are challenging us to confront the things in us, in our lives. The demons, the darkness in us and in the community. And fight it, with fang and claw.
Lauren Walsburg's photographs are just gorgeous splashes of color that we are happy to sink into. They bring such needed courage and strength to uplift us in times of darkness and despair. Revenge and descending into darkness will give way to victory and inspiration.
Brew a pot of hot bracing tea and enjoy the poetry and photography. May this issue be a source of comfort and support for you.
Joyce, Editor-in-Chief