First, as always, I’d like to say thanks to the editorial staff - Dan, David and Sarah - for finding the time in the midst of all the summer activities to read submissions and help determine the content for August’s issue. I’d also like to welcome the newest assistant to the Lily editorial team - Kristi Swadley. Kristi joins us after a time of publishing her own literary zine, and I’m looking forward to working with her.

I’ve been thinking a lot this month about the random kindnesses of strangers; about the small things people do and how much they mean. In the earliest days of Lily - back before there was even an issue one - a poet I knew as Marie offered me the gentlest words, the faith that if I dreamed of having a literary review, I could make it happen. I never met her, and yet, upon hearing of her death in early July, I was saddened just the same. I wonder if I ever said thank you.  I wonder how many of these random kindnesses come our way each day, how often we stop to notice. It is with a grateful heart that I offer a tribute this month to Marie Eyre, poet and friend. Thanks, Marie, for being the person you were. You touched many lives, you live on in the differences you made. 

I hope everyone reading this will take the time to offer their words of comfort to Marie’s family and friends on the interactive page provided in the tribute. If you knew her, share a memory. If you never met her, simply leave your name in celebration of the random kindness of strangers beneath the words of Carl Sandburg, one of Marie’s favorite poets. 

On a lighter note, this month brings you a glimpse into the life and work of photojournalist Mike Fuentes. Mike works for the Associated Press. He has a camera, will travel. I find his journey fascinating, and I’m sure you will too.

Ace Boggess returns this month with more of his fantastic fiction, with the story “Kristan Mourning.” Lily newcomer, Joe Brennskag brings his lively and lovely “beergirl” to the page. Marie Lecrivain joins us for the first time, also with a short story collection entitled “early light” and her work is partnered with that of photographer Kosta Trimovski.

The ever talented Kristy Bowen comes back to Lily’s pages with her poem, “Starve”, which is joined by photographer Tess Campbell’s depiction of a lonely tree.  Curtis Cole arrives with a “Moonlight Orchestra”, his soft images combined with a photographic offering by Mitch Miller. Carolyn Fuller returns with “Egypt Road”, which is partnered with Brennskag’s photo of an abandoned bus.

Jennifer Lynn Hall brings two offerings to Lily this month: “Want to Wrap You Around My Ribs”, on the page with Trimovski’s lovely birds; and “Where Did Our Fairy Tales Go?”, which is shown alongside “Palms Askew”, a photo by first time contributor, Donna Pagakis.  Sheema Kalbasi offers a warm poem of children and sea with “New England”, which is joined on the page by an equally warm photo by Miller.

David Krump draws pictures of words with his poem “in that bucket, in that bird.” His words are placed on the page along with Campbell’s image entitled “Please wait for me”.  Richard Messer’s poetic ponderings in “Trying to Get Home” are paired with Miller’s “flood”.  Graham Nunn is back this month with a gentle offering in “Wait”, which is shown along with Brenda LaFleur’s “lady in a canoe.” Mark Prudowsky speaks of his mother’s “Lost Eyes” in beautiful ways, and on the page with his poem is a photo by Campbell entitled “Spilled.”

I’m pleased to present a poem by Brenda Tate entitled “I No Gone Cat, You Just Not See Me” this month. This poem won the IBPC (InterBoard Poetry Community) competition in May of this year and it’s easy to see why. It’s a tremendous work, which I’ve placed alongside Pagakis’ “Shadow of a Curious Cat”.

Ann White wraps up the content for Lily’s August with strong words of “Reverie Unveiled” and “Reclaiming”. Her work is complemented by photographic offerings from Pagakis and LaFleur.

Thanks for joining me for another issue and I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Keep reading, keep the submissions coming.

‘Til next time.