We have a compelling and timely issue, including themes from the pandemic.

For our prose this issue, we have “Wrestling Heidegger,” by Nina Schuyler. A vision of life during the pandemic, this essay conveys the disruption of the usual rhythms of time while considering questions of self and others in an altered world.

The not quite forgotten past shows fresh life in the present in this issue’s poems from Raymond Luczak, Gannon Daniels and Oormila Vjayakrishnan Prahlad, whose household object from a shattered wartime past comes to life again to salvage worth from sorrow. Ron Riekki’s odd worlds shows us the deep connections we can have with friends and family, even as they take us to places we may have preferred to never know.  Our other poets take us on journeys ranging from the beginnings of creativity to the silences and noises of night. We end where we began this issue, as Greg Watson’s “When All This Is Over” also tries to make sense out of the pandemic.

Take care, stay strong, help each other.

Leonard Lang, Senior Editor and Adrienne Pilon, Associate Editor

Contents

Prose

Nina Schuyler
• Wrestling Heidegger

Poetry

Ron Riekki
• Finland
• My Brother Dares Me to Look Up the Word ‘Devil’ in the Dictionary
• A Friend Wanted to Rent the Worst Movie Ever Made

Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad
• Reunion

Raymond Luczak
• Emulsions

Simon Perchik
• “Between the tall grasses and water holes…”

Frank Jamison
• Night Noise

Gannon Daniels
• Knowing

David Hinkhouse
• Poetry Exposed

Emily Bornstein
• Finger Paint

Greg Watson
• In the MRI
• These Rooms
• When All This Is Over

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