July 2021
EDITOR'S NOTE
Dear Villagers,
When I chose the optional theme for July, I had something very specific in mind. I was thinking of July 14th, Bastille Day, and the ensuing chaos that saw many people literally losing their heads.
That revolution was the result of widening inequality, with wealth concentrated in a small percentage of the population. And I wonder, given
1 - the political unrest in countries around the world,
2 - climate change with displacement of large numbers of people,
3 - the growing overt bigotry, hate, and violence in so many places,
4 - the economical, emotional, and social havoc of the pandemic (which isn't over yet),
5 - the continually widening inequality gap around the world,
if we are headed that way again.
I hope not.
I do find hope in the humanity, compassion, and scope of the poetry that you continue to write and share. In the ability of so many to see beauty in spite of the ugliness that is everywhere. In the kindness shown in this group. Here are my two favorite quotes about kindness:
"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted" (Aesop)
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." (multiple variations, multiple attributions)
Just be kind.
SUBMISSIONS for August are open from July 1 to July 10. Read the guidelines, no matter how many times you've submitted to us. READ. THE. GUIDELINES. There is no theme for August.
If you wish to send in batches of reviews, favorite lines, or teasers, PLEASE NOTE that the email address to send them to has changed to comments4vv@gmail.com. Don't send them to the submissions email address anymore. Emails to individual authors are always highly encouraged; Cc'ing me is up to you. I am always interested to see what is happening in the community, but not to the point of needing to know about every email that gets exchanged between members.
Jim
When I chose the optional theme for July, I had something very specific in mind. I was thinking of July 14th, Bastille Day, and the ensuing chaos that saw many people literally losing their heads.
That revolution was the result of widening inequality, with wealth concentrated in a small percentage of the population. And I wonder, given
1 - the political unrest in countries around the world,
2 - climate change with displacement of large numbers of people,
3 - the growing overt bigotry, hate, and violence in so many places,
4 - the economical, emotional, and social havoc of the pandemic (which isn't over yet),
5 - the continually widening inequality gap around the world,
if we are headed that way again.
I hope not.
I do find hope in the humanity, compassion, and scope of the poetry that you continue to write and share. In the ability of so many to see beauty in spite of the ugliness that is everywhere. In the kindness shown in this group. Here are my two favorite quotes about kindness:
"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted" (Aesop)
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." (multiple variations, multiple attributions)
Just be kind.
SUBMISSIONS for August are open from July 1 to July 10. Read the guidelines, no matter how many times you've submitted to us. READ. THE. GUIDELINES. There is no theme for August.
If you wish to send in batches of reviews, favorite lines, or teasers, PLEASE NOTE that the email address to send them to has changed to comments4vv@gmail.com. Don't send them to the submissions email address anymore. Emails to individual authors are always highly encouraged; Cc'ing me is up to you. I am always interested to see what is happening in the community, but not to the point of needing to know about every email that gets exchanged between members.
Jim