As with the previous three issues, I have been impressed with the exceptional quality of work that was submitted for consideration. Although the writers and artists that appear in this issue are a fraction of those who submitted work, I cannot over-emphasize my gratitude for everyone who took the time to send us their poems, stories, photos, and paintings. To the writers and artists who are featured in this issue, congratulations! I am excited to have a new batch of contributors to add to the Wild Roof community.

In this late-summer edition of Wild Roof Journal, some of the pieces selected reflect this liminal time—the enjoyment of the remaining summer days colored with the knowledge that there is a transition looming. As I look over the pieces included in this issue, I see connections to this theme come up again and again (see the wonderful pieces by Laylage Courie, Gretchen Berwick, Maliea Luquin, K. Blasco Solér, and Lance Newsom as a few examples)—but maybe that’s my interpretation taking over—perhaps you will have a different take as you progress through this collection.

As our previous three issues have included interview with visual artists, we have extended that feature into the literary art side of things. This issue contains an excellent writer feature with poet Alicia Byrne Keane. Typically, I recommend these feature interviews for newcomers to Wild Roof Journal, and this time around is no different. The interview and poem collection are a great place to start!

Additionally, an artist feature titled “The Art of Transition,” which provides an analysis of Hermine Spies Coleman’s artwork. I am grateful to the author of the piece, Louise Torr, who generously offered it for inclusion in this issue, which contains four of Hermine’s paintings.

One of the rewarding aspects of this project is to hear back from readers who have found a particular artist to be a favorite or, maybe a certain poem that really spoke to them. If this is the case as you read the issue, please do reach out to the creators, and let them know that you appreciate their efforts. There is a list of contributor information at the end of the issue, and many contributors have website and/or social media links that you can click to see more of their work.

Lastly, I will offer a quotation that I have returned to a few times over recent months. It’s from French philosopher Simone Weil: “Art is the symbol of the two noblest human efforts: to construct and to refrain from destruction.” I’ll refrain from my own commentary here, and allow you to take from it what you will…

As for the art and writing contained in this issue, I hope you find it entertaining, engaging, and inspirational!

Aaron Lelito – Founder and editor in chief