March 31, 2022
I spend way too much time thinking about time. A kind of obsession, I suppose. So much so that for the first time since launching Feral, I’ve included one of my own poems. Thank you in advance for indulging me. I’m proud to have a poem among all the other brilliant work of our poets and artists for Issue 12.
As we began building this issue, I was reminded of all the people behind the scenes who make this wild little journal possible. I’m often in the spotlight as editor and Amanda McLeod receives much well-deserved praise for her lovely pairings of poetry and art. The third person on our staff is Narmadhaa Sivaraja. She might not even know this…but her vote is incredibly important as we make decisions. Sometimes a validation – often the “tie breaker” and always a necessary voice as we navigate the ever-increasing submissions. Make sure to check out her photographs in this issue.
The TIME issue is being published on the eve of our two-year anniversary – Issue 1 was published on April 1, 2020 – a lifetime ago. I’m reminded of the curse “may you live in interesting times,” and I find myself in a state of wonder and joy that through it all nothing seems to stop poetry or art. Issue 12 contains the work of 47 contributors – 35 new and 12 returning – from Australia, Canada, Finland, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the United States and elsewhere. And in fulfilling one of our missions of publishing underrepresented voices, I encourage you to read the bios of our contributors.
Finally, I’d like to dedicate this issue to my mother, Gloria Gordon. If I’m the “Grandma” of Animal Heart Press – she is our official Great-Grandmother and “behind the scenes” voice of reason and love. She placed the first book I read in my hands and reminds me every day that big hearts often come in small packages.
Beth Gordon
Managing Editor