I’ve found that I rather like starting the month with gratitude, and will do so now.  As always, thank you to my assistants - Dan, David, Kristi and Sarah. Thanks for another month of careful consideration, putting up with my erratic schedule and equally erratic mood swings. I appreciate it.

Also, a big thanks to guest interviewer Patricia Gomes, who provided us with a glimpse into the life of poet and Poetry Victims editor, Jeffrey Spahr-Summers, and did so on extremely short notice and in the midst of dealing with an impending loss in her family. Thanks, Pat. You are, most definitely, an inspiration to me.

Thanks too to Jeffrey Spahr-Summers, for allowing us a peek at his life, his work, and for providing such positive threads for discussion in the way he answered the interview questions.  I’m just getting to know Mr. Spahr-Summers’ poetry and poetry venue myself, and am liking what I read.

Thanks to photographer Vinay for allowing me to dig through his photo albums in search for the perfect cover photo. I do believe I found that perfect photo, Vinay, but then again, I knew I would. And last but never least, thanks to all of the contributors this month, those who submitted and those who read. Lily’s almost a year old now, and it’s all because of you.

This month’s lineup begins with thoughts on coming home to memories in a poem by Avik Chanda.  Erdogan Mebahar provides the black and white photo of a man and his dog to compliment the page.

Craig Kirchner then treats us to two insightful and enjoyable poems: “eight cups a day” and “Amtrak”.  His work is partnered with photos offered by Lily newcomer Dirk Vermierre and the ever-creative Mitch Miller.

George Lober draws us into the beautiful imagery of his writing with two poems of his own. “Phoenix” appears alongside Marianne Venegoni’s hummingbird photo.  “Three Rivers” is displayed with a floral shot from Donnali Peters.

Alison Milonakis melts us a little more with her beautiful piece, Letter to Icharus, and Maurizio Malangone puts some beauty on the page as well, with a dove close up.

James Owens takes us onto a winter beach and then back to the beauty of autumn with his two poems, featured alongside photos by Vinay and Peters.

Christine Potter also brings two poems to the issue, with dire weather warnings and a snapshot of age 13.  Her work is shown with photos by Vinay and Miller.

Mark Prudowsky returns this month to share a tale of his Kakamayme uncle, alongside Mebahar’s fishermen photo.

Don Schaeffer captures the coolness and the mourning of autumn with his piece, “Manitoba”, which is partnered with a seasonal offering from photographer Terri Lynn Graham.

Sarah Sloat brings life to a “Thunder Sky” with her poem, and Miller renders a like image on the page.

Cheryl Snell provides two different views of longing and need with her poetry this month, alongside Vermierre’s black and white street shot and Angel LaVinio’s airplane in the sky.

Finally, Jeffrey Spahr-Summers treats us to the sensuality of his work, with three poems. Vermierre, LaVinio and Graham’s photos illustrate the pages.

Speaking of Lily being a year old - look in next month’s issue for some important announcements about things taking place here in December.  And look for a great celebration to take place too, for it’s surely been a year worth celebrating.  From now until then, happy reading and keep those submissions coming!

‘Til next time,