January 2014
Editor's Note
On Installations and Goodbyes
Is an online literary magazine a kind of installation? I mean, think about it: the internet is a virtual world (remember the 90s when everyone said virtual?) and an installation, in the word’s art usage, is essentially a work built for and into a specific space with the intent of transforming that space. Imagine this website without all the poems, essays, and stories. It would be an empty room. Now, fill that room with words, thousands of words, and the words are also things, images, memories, and feelings. Now, let’s step outside that room and look into it. It’s completely transformed. And you know what? It’s goddamned beautiful.
In all seriousness, this issue is going to touch some tender bones for us and hopefully you too.
Armi Roxas goes in early with “I Left You A Voicemail”, a short story in which a young woman’s love for the man she is to marry in a day is plagued by doubt. What would you do?
The Poetry section features the work of Robin Messing whose poem “You Must Be Good” outlays a map to becoming a specific kind of good. Kimberly Marks’ “Portrait One” is a powerful poem that digs deep into the mind of a young girl growing into a body she doesn’t yet know how to love.
In Notes From The Classroom, Phyllis Capello offers “The Students” a series of poems about students she has encountered during her work as a teaching artist-in-residence.
Aziza Barnes’ special report from the immigration office of Accra will have you wavering between rage and delight.
And Tishon Woolcock (aka me/I) took part in a lively volley with the artist, children’s book author, illustrator and designer, Matt Luckhurst.
It is all punctuated by the beautifully crafted, visually arresting work of Adrian “Viajero” Roman.
One more thing, before you jump in. This will be the final issue of the Well&Often Reader. In the spirit of goodbye, each of our editors has written you, dear readers, a letter.
Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoy. And if you do, please spread this website far and wide.
– Tishon Woolcock, Founder and Creative Director of Well&Often
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