Dear Villagers,


I hope you all took some time to browse through the July issue of Verse-Virtual—our tribute to founder Firestone Feinberg. His personality is evident throughout his poetry and painting. His poem "The Tourist" is so simply written, and so profound. I know that a large part of my motivation to write is captured in the closing lines:

        But just a word to tell someone
        That once I traveled here.

Thank you to all who sent in their thoughts and remembrances of Firestone. And thank you to all who loved and supported him through his illness. It was deeply appreciated by his family.

And now, here we are in August. I find myself sitting at the captain's desk, charts anad compasses spread out in front of me, and I am filled with wonder. I wonder how Firestone did this, or that. I wonder how he would respond to this criticism or that poem that is so lacking. I wonder where this grand ship, the "FF Verse-Virtual" should sail, what adventures are yet to be had. Most of all, I wonder what I've gotten myself into. What I do not wonder about is the crew of this fabulous vessel. No captain ever sails a ship alone, or doubts for a moment how critical every person on board is to a successful voyage.

There are adventures ahead, to be sure. We've already held two small but successful poetry readings, and plan to do more. There will be some enhancements made to the web site to increase its appeal to a wider audience, while keeping the general look and function intact. I only ask one thing of this community: bear with me while I get my sea legs.

As of this issue, I am adding a small feature to the home page: the "Editor's Recommended Read". This is a completely subjective selection of a poem from the current issue that I enjoyed reading, and I think you will too.

Submission window for the September issue is August 1 to August 10.
Not sooner, not later.

Here's to favorable winds, fair skies, and smooth sailing.

Jim