Dear Villagers,


Now, in the shadow of the Parkland murders, things here are necessarily more somber than they would be otherwise. Loss, it seems, is with us:  V-V has has recently suffered the passing of two dear people: Dick Allen, and Donna Hilbert's granddaughter, Torey. 

The theme for this issue of is PRAYER.  I received a tremendous response -- definitely the most enthusiastic one ever.  I'm sure you will enjoy the rainbow of prayer-inspired poems in these pages.

Since April is Nat'l Poetry Month, the (NOT OPTIONAL) theme is POEMS ABOUT POETRY. 

I'm trying something new to see if it helps decrease my work load: THIS THEME IS NOT OPTIONAL.  It is required.  Please don't send any poems that don't have some obvious connection to to poetry -- writing poetry, reading poetry, or whatever.  

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS ONLY DURING THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF THE MONTH PRECEDING THE ISSUE MONTH -- NOT EARLIER OR LATER. And also please remember to send 1 - 3 poems in your submissions.  I can't read five anymore, and, again, I am trying to find ways of slowing down the growth of V-V before it gets to be too much for me to handle.

Another matter.  Periodically I have been asked about nominating individuals for the Pushcart Prize.  Under no circumstances will I do that.  I cannot choose one V-Ver over another.  (Yes, I'm an old-time socialist.)  HOWEVER I rec'd a note from Ruth Wittman, Managing Editor, Pushcart Prize XLIII.  She told me that two poems from the V-V (2017) have been nominated. I don't know who nominated whom for what poem, but it wasn't me.  Ruth will be sending me the information in about three week.  When I know what's what, I will inform the nominees.
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Thanks, as always, for your enthusiasm and your warm support of V-V.

Sincerely yours,
Firestone