Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

When I awake in the morning, and greet the Sun in prayer, for the start of a new life, a new day, .. if I find fault in something so soon, in my day, then the fault would lie within myself, for the day, is new. . .

Not sure where that quote originated, but it rings true, doesn't it? Many of us do find fault in the mornings, in the mid-day, in the afternoons, and evenings; laying our head down at night with the liturgy of the day's wrongs still flowing from our mouth.

If, instead, you were the recipient of this virulent and persistent output, how would it make you feel? Like blessing and rewarding the source of the complaints? Didn't think so.

Well, the pledge here is to look higher, feel happier, exercise enthusiastically, compose at least one poem a week, purge procrastination, and love every moment of it all. Starting right out by loving our authors, each and every one of them. Bless your hearts and minds for what you do and for sharing your results with us here at Pencil Stubs Online.

From the experienced entrepreneurs, i.e. David Francis ("Dave's Here") to the beginners, i.e. Ryan Wadford (one of your editor's 16 great grandchildren) whose story "The Rainforest Boys" blossoms with entrepreneurial plots and expansions, may each of you dwell harmoniously with your family, friends, coworkers, and even your siblings, (Ryan.)

As Falls plunges into our schedules, let us find time to read each other's work as well as our own. Let us be among the kinder, gentler, more angelic souls, as referenced by Thomas O'Neill in his "Introspective" column. If you never read the columns and articles, this is the month to treat yourself. If, on the other hand, poetry has never been your thing, at least read Eric Shackle's article "No pullet surprise for the Z poets." Open your minds, make time for the thoughts of others in order to gain personal enrichment. And don't miss "Eric Shackle's Column" either.

Jacob Wights story muses about "Brian Adams Love" while Leo C. Helmer presents some info about Labor and its laws you have most likely never heard explained as well before. He keeps bobbing up this September, with the next chapter of his Great Jobs series, with pics, and his regular column, "Cookin' With Leo." He tops it off musically with a new segment of "Historical Western Swing" featuring The Lightcrust Doughboys in the article.

LC Van Savage asks a question in "Consider This" and Gerard Meister ("Thinking Out Loud")shares some special thoughts had while shopping. One of our former columnists, Connie Anast, emailed our webmaster Mike Craner a lovely glimpse of true love, which leads off the Mail Bag gleanings for this issue, and helps offset the more somber second missive.

Mattie Lennon ("Irish Eyes") treats us to some beautiful photography and some of the terminology of the art, introducing us to a few of the foremost photographers from the green Isle. The pics are so perfect, one must wonder if these photographers ever took the kind with a tree growing out of the main subject's head, or carefully squeezed a big group closer and closer to get them all in only to end up with wide un-peopled borders all around the tiny, non-recognizable people squished in the center.

Matison J. Mansfield has two poems in this month, "Whoever?" and "Open." The latter one, should perhaps have been saved for Halloween next issue, but it does have some of the redeeming qualities we are searching for. Bruce Clifford's six poems register in the thwarted love category while the patterns formed by his words, have a beauty of their own: "Can of Worms," "Controlled Chaos," "Direction," "I Believed In Us," "If You Only Knew," and "She's Going Away."

John I. Blair sent us the following: "Superhero," "Poet Boy," "Harsh Lovers," "Sick," "Desk," and "Mound Builders." A couple of these are smile makers, though it isn't easy, from the titles, to guess what mood the poem will evoke.

It is our desire that just browsing will bring you a smile or tender feeling. That will make it all worthwhile.

Let us know.