Introduction: The Quest

          As an editor, I usually arrange poems in a magazine or journal by subject matter, so one poem leads, I hope, directly into the subject matter of the one that follows it. You will note, however, that in this issue of Pedestal, the poets are listed in alphabetical order. Why? Well, I’ll try to explain. Often as I begin to accept poems, I find I’m attuned to some unspoken, half-hidden theme: I’m accepting poems that are—for instance—surreal in perspective, ones that are about nature, or ones about conflict as part of the reality of our lives. But for this issue, I kept selecting poems that I fell in love with, poems that seemed to be totally unrelated. That’s why this listing is alphabetical.

          The odd thing, though, is the fact that in this alphabetical listing, one poem still seems related in some way to the poem before and the one after it. So, if you read these pieces in order, you may still find the hidden threads I see between them. Some of the poems are linked by humor, some by attention to the natural world, some by experimentation with theme, all by subject matter that’s compelling and by impressive use of craft. If I must select a single theme for this issue, I’ll call it “Poems of Quest.” The poets here are each searching in some way for an elusive clew. I’m loath to point out to you or pre-digest where I think the clews will lead you, what I think you may find. Any quest is a kind of mystery; and as soon as one tries to explain the mystery, it loses its magic.

          So, pick up your magnifying glass or your night-vision goggles, wear comfortable clothes, be sure to have water, a notepad, and a few M&Ms. Footwear is optional; no map is necessary. Just forge ahead from here and explore the trail that will take you to: Beaumont, Bradley, Coppage, Gray, Hellen, King, Knight, Kwong, Looney, Maclay, Ringer, and Wallace. Enjoy the trip. After all—yes, edifying yet possibly annoying editorial opinion inserted here—poetry, like life, is always about the journey. . . .

—Susan Terris