Dear readers,
As I am writing this editorial, the skies hint of rain and thunder. The Northeast monsoon has descended upon the little island I call home. The monsoon is also a marker, a change in season. Indeed, the year is almost gone now and a new year beckons in a few weeks.
And what a year it has been! We are saddened and exhausted by world news, by the actions of world leaders. We are also saddened and disappointed by people in our own communities. Idols are knocked off pedestals, heroes are shown to have serious grievous flaws. Humanity has never looked so craven, so selfish and so self-serving. Words can heal, but they can also perpetuate lies, harm or kill.
Yet, in the midst of all the grimness, all the pain, kindness and compassion have shown through. There is still beauty in the world, hidden by the swathes of deliberate darkness. Our very response now, our answer, is an conscious stance, a bright and shining choice, to stand against this darkness.
Why? We are hybrids. We stand between the worlds. We are strong. We resist. We support one another. Together, we are tougher, stronger and resilient. And like plant hybrids and cultivars, we are diverse and proudly so. Our colours are flown proud. Our songs are brave and joyous.
I am pleased to showcase these colours, these songs in this breathtaking issue. HYBRID is a treat. A blessing to the eyes and to the ears. Read the poems aloud.
Read the poems of Casey Williams, F. E. Clark, Emma Cairns Watson, Kelly Heard, Lisa Kiew, Cora Buhlert and Tiana Coven.
Marvel at the beauty of the photography by Paul Weimer, Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Harshal Desai.
Read, marvel, savour.
Resist, support, sing.
Make someone smile. Cook a friend a meal. Listen.
Joyce, Editor-in-Chief
As I am writing this editorial, the skies hint of rain and thunder. The Northeast monsoon has descended upon the little island I call home. The monsoon is also a marker, a change in season. Indeed, the year is almost gone now and a new year beckons in a few weeks.
And what a year it has been! We are saddened and exhausted by world news, by the actions of world leaders. We are also saddened and disappointed by people in our own communities. Idols are knocked off pedestals, heroes are shown to have serious grievous flaws. Humanity has never looked so craven, so selfish and so self-serving. Words can heal, but they can also perpetuate lies, harm or kill.
Yet, in the midst of all the grimness, all the pain, kindness and compassion have shown through. There is still beauty in the world, hidden by the swathes of deliberate darkness. Our very response now, our answer, is an conscious stance, a bright and shining choice, to stand against this darkness.
Why? We are hybrids. We stand between the worlds. We are strong. We resist. We support one another. Together, we are tougher, stronger and resilient. And like plant hybrids and cultivars, we are diverse and proudly so. Our colours are flown proud. Our songs are brave and joyous.
I am pleased to showcase these colours, these songs in this breathtaking issue. HYBRID is a treat. A blessing to the eyes and to the ears. Read the poems aloud.
Read the poems of Casey Williams, F. E. Clark, Emma Cairns Watson, Kelly Heard, Lisa Kiew, Cora Buhlert and Tiana Coven.
Marvel at the beauty of the photography by Paul Weimer, Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Harshal Desai.
Read, marvel, savour.
Resist, support, sing.
Make someone smile. Cook a friend a meal. Listen.
Joyce, Editor-in-Chief
