September 2021
EDITOR'S NOTE
Dear Villagers,
To be honest, I'm not sure what I had in mind when I suggested the optional theme of "Changes" for September. I have certainly seen a lot of changes in my own life in the last year, not all of them pleasant. I was exposed to, and contracted COVID-19 last December, most likely at work, and before I showed symptoms, exposed my family, of whom 3 out of 4 also caught it. None of us were critically ill, and for that we are grateful. But there have been lingering effects for me. Lack of stamina, easily fatigued, occasional memory issues. A really weird off/on loss of smell that hasn't completely resolved. My wife, who broke her left wrist in April 2020, fell and broke her right wrist in June of this year. There is much more that has been challenging, but none of it insurmountable.
Many of you have also experienced loss, illness, stress, worry, grief, and pain. I have watched as you have supported each other, offering behind the scenes love and kindness. You have given voice to your difficulties through poetry. Some of it has been published here on Verse-Virtual, much of it has appeared in other places. All of it has been a balm to weary souls, mine included.
But not all the changes were negative. I have had a third book of poetry accepted for publication, and I know that YOU know how good that feels, because many of you have announced acceptances and upcoming publications. Verse-Virtual has flourished. Cover art has been added to the web site. Our readings have been excellent. Our numbers continue to grow, as new people find us, and others are referred by you.
One thing that will not change is the central concept of Verse-Virtual, which is that kindness and respect are paramount. If you don't like a poem, feel free to move along to the next one, quietly. Others will do the same for you. If you DO like a poem, tell the author. Friendships form that way.
October submissions will open on the 1st and close on the 10th of September, using Pacific Daylight Time. Most of you are in other time zones, so submit accordingly. There is no theme for October. Surprise me with new poems. Delight me with your classics, the ones you are most fond of. Give me something unusual to think about. But follow the submission guidelines, or your poems won't see the light of day. And one last item: COMMENTS/REVIEWS should no longer be sent to "submissions4vv@gmail.com". Send them to "comments4vv@gmail.com".
Jim
To be honest, I'm not sure what I had in mind when I suggested the optional theme of "Changes" for September. I have certainly seen a lot of changes in my own life in the last year, not all of them pleasant. I was exposed to, and contracted COVID-19 last December, most likely at work, and before I showed symptoms, exposed my family, of whom 3 out of 4 also caught it. None of us were critically ill, and for that we are grateful. But there have been lingering effects for me. Lack of stamina, easily fatigued, occasional memory issues. A really weird off/on loss of smell that hasn't completely resolved. My wife, who broke her left wrist in April 2020, fell and broke her right wrist in June of this year. There is much more that has been challenging, but none of it insurmountable.
Many of you have also experienced loss, illness, stress, worry, grief, and pain. I have watched as you have supported each other, offering behind the scenes love and kindness. You have given voice to your difficulties through poetry. Some of it has been published here on Verse-Virtual, much of it has appeared in other places. All of it has been a balm to weary souls, mine included.
But not all the changes were negative. I have had a third book of poetry accepted for publication, and I know that YOU know how good that feels, because many of you have announced acceptances and upcoming publications. Verse-Virtual has flourished. Cover art has been added to the web site. Our readings have been excellent. Our numbers continue to grow, as new people find us, and others are referred by you.
One thing that will not change is the central concept of Verse-Virtual, which is that kindness and respect are paramount. If you don't like a poem, feel free to move along to the next one, quietly. Others will do the same for you. If you DO like a poem, tell the author. Friendships form that way.
October submissions will open on the 1st and close on the 10th of September, using Pacific Daylight Time. Most of you are in other time zones, so submit accordingly. There is no theme for October. Surprise me with new poems. Delight me with your classics, the ones you are most fond of. Give me something unusual to think about. But follow the submission guidelines, or your poems won't see the light of day. And one last item: COMMENTS/REVIEWS should no longer be sent to "submissions4vv@gmail.com". Send them to "comments4vv@gmail.com".
Jim