Welcome to Issue 9

Lessons: Lessons in Life, Love, and Loss

Lessons come quietly, unexpectedly, and often in ways we can’t fully grasp until much later. While working on this issue, I found myself reflecting on the theme of lessons and the weight they carry in our lives. The poems we chose for this edition feel like windows into different facets of learning—painful, hopeful, and deeply personal.

In “The Price of Excellence,” the poet lays bare the cost of success. Achievement is celebrated, but it comes with sacrifices—leaving behind the comfort of home, the closeness of loved ones, and the familiarity that makes us feel safe. It’s a bittersweet truth that resonates with anyone who’s dared to dream big. Success asks for parts of us, and it’s up to us to decide if the exchange is worth it.

Then there’s “The Art of Loving Me.” This one shifts the focus inward, reminding us of the importance of self-love. It’s not always easy to be kind to ourselves, to tend to our inner gardens, but the speaker’s journey of embracing flaws and victories alike feels so universal. It’s a nudge to remember that the way we treat ourselves sets the tone for how we engage with the world.

Finally, “Omí.” This poem might be the quietest of the three, but its impact lingers. It speaks of resilience through the metaphor of water—flowing, bending, and adapting to life’s highs and lows. It reminds us that life isn’t about avoiding pain but finding ways to move through it with grace.

These poems together form a kind of roadmap: to grow, we must sacrifice; to love others, we must first love ourselves; and to endure, we must be willing to flow. Lessons like these shape us, challenge us, and ultimately help us become who we’re meant to be.