Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

June:

Several subjects pop into mind when one thinks of June. . . mostly June Brides, perhaps because so many people choose to be married in this summery month. Yet, for the most part, this month's poetry is of lost loves, parting of ways, yearning for new relationships, and such that one surmises not many June weddings are planned this year. The poem, "Sweet Final Farewell" portrays how poignant breaking up can be, while "Release" a short-short story, emphasizes the beauty we hold within.

Of course, June brings Fathers Day into focus, and Louise Jobin opens her journal and her heart to remind us how precious memories are made, warming all our hearts.

A memorable evening chatting with friends, and trying our skill at an ancient form of poetry, is detailed in the "Impromptu Online Haiku Workshop." This was such a fun way to learn the technique, that with permission of those present, we have brought it to you.

From this very brief (usually only seventeen syllables per poem) type poetry to the epic style of creating a story in rhyme, we turn to first-timer, K'am Treshelle. "The Trek" should hold your attention, raise some chill bumps, and pull you along the path woven by this author.

Some of the columnists are out of pocket, and may show up by the deadline, but time will tell. One new columnist is johnny on the spot. Well, make that Jonathan, as in Jonathan L. Bowen, the young man who will be exploring the youth perspective for us, beginning this issue. He joins our staff of Cassandra, Cheri, Astrid, pbobby, Connie, Leo, Mike, and your's truly. This month, Leo C. Helmer also presents some of his viewpoints on public education in "Open Letter."

Something we are excited about are the excerpts from books due to be published soon. One novel will appear as controversial subject to many readers, but considering toes stepped on, they are standing on both sides of the fence. One simply needs to read "The Imam" through to the conclusion before making a yes/no decision about the content. I love a rip-roaring good tale as much as I do the deeply intriguing ones, and this one promises to be both. Harvey Havel may become one of your favorite story spinners.

The other excerpt by J. V. Lofgren comes from "Not All Spirits" about the Inupiats of Alaska. Lofgren catches your attention deftly, and never lets it go to the end of the book. Pencil Stubs has been carrying an announcement of a prior publication by this author, "In Search of Jack London" and we are delighted to see him bringing another online so soon. Lofgren dips into his personal experiences, sharing them with the reader.

After all, isn't that what writers all do? Share ourselves in our words, or possibly, share the self we dream we can be. That is what makes this magazine such a joy to present. We know it includes insights, reveries, joys, and compromises that may hold the key for our own door to the future. Experience is doing and learning. Education is learning from other's experiences, and then doing. So it is a cycle oft repeated, we evolve from both the doing and the studying of other's deeds, all the while not knowing whose life we may be affecting with our own.

See you next month.