EDITOR’S LETTER

MHR friends! Welcome to the new issue. It’s hard to believe we’re already almost halfway through 2021—where has the time gone? I hope by now you’ve had a chance to venture out into the world after our long time sequestered away from one another, and that some semblance of normalcy is returning to your everyday doings.

Though the “everyday” has taken on new meanings amidst the pandemic, it seems important to note just how remarkable our experiences can be. Though our Spring/Summer issue operates without a dedicated theme, it’s noteworthy that many poems herein touch on the minutiae of life. Featured Poet Leslie Schultz discusses how a unique and difficult past can shift into a more assured present in “April 1: Raspberry Fools.” Thomas Mixon lends us a firsthand view of a small but memorable situation in parenting with “Child Refusing Sleep.” Courtney LeBlanc gives a glimpse of life with a beloved four-legged family member in “Love Poem to my Dog.” And through “After the Falcon,” Tom Barlow shows how a single abrupt moment can shift the trajectory of an entire day—and perhaps an entire mindset.  

As 2021 continues, please continue to stay safe, healthy, and fulfilled—but also know that the world seems to be slowly shifting toward happier moments. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you enjoy the new issue. Happy reading, MHR friends, and thank you as ever for your excellent work in the world.

Tyler Robert Sheldon, Editor-in-Chief