Volume 101, Number 3/4

Volume 101, Number 3/4

My brain is the key that sets my mind free.
—Harry Houdini
The world was very large. Then
the world was small. O
very small, small enough
to fit in a brain.

—Louise Gluck
Our minds hover in a famous impasse
and cling together. Your hand
grips mine like a railing on an icy night.

—Adrienne Rich

Cover Caption: “Houdini in a Box,” courtesy of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

 
 
This issue is sold out. Please e-mail Managing Editor Laureen Schipsi for research requests.

Editors’ Page

The poems come, day after day, week after week, filling our in-box and bringing us editors together monthly to weigh and decide. Despite our acceptance rate, this plethora of poems is no surprise, for writing is joy. Once poets enter that divine portion of themselves where their deepest feelings, yearnings, and questions find voice and transform (sometimes) to beauty, there simply is no turning back. This is not a matter of genius or talent or the pursuit of fame; this is a human faculty which, once engaged, puts out a steady hum, bringing us back again and again to that live, surprising page.

Of course, one needs time. Thus it is I say a heartfelt farewell to my colleagues, Jody, Ethelbert, and Martin (I will miss you), to our fine managing editor, Jason, and to you, poets and faithful readers of our magazine. A confluence of events, a small health issue among them, has induced me to step down after seven years of this wonderful work. I had hoped to read and haggle and learn for a dozen more, but the body is boss, and thinking I may have a few poems in me yet, I’ve decided to put my energies there.

As is almost always the case, I’ve learned here much more than I’ve taught and have gotten far more than I’ve given. Thank you, one and all!

 

Poetry

Poems by Sandra M. Gilbert, D. Nurkse, Sonja James, Jason Tandon, and Susan Landgraf.

 

Poets Introducing Poets

Alberto Rios introduces a portfolio of poems by Kyle Grant Wilson.

 

Reviews

Facts About the Moon by Dorianne Laux
Declension in the Village of Chung Luong by Bruce Weigl
Elegy for Toy Piano by Dean Young