Notes on this Issue:

After releasing the second issue of Verses, two very significant events occurred in my life: first, a very beloved friend of mine gifted me a copy of Roald Dahl’s poetry and second, I chose to put my dog down due to her various, relentless sicknesses. To begin with Dahl, I must briefly tell you the place that children’s poetry holds in my heart. My first love of poetry came through Shel Silverstein—some of my most fond childhood memories are of reading through Runny Babbit with my grandmother at bedtime. Ever since then, Silverstein has been a rock in my life and my writing. I return to him, and a small list of other poets, when I am lost and uninspired. After receiving my first copy of Dahl’s poetry, I am now happy to include him in this list. In this issue, the piece “Take a Penny, Leave a Penny” tells the story of putting my dog down and its verse is very much inspired by Dahl. One day, perhaps when I’m wiser and less provocative, I’ll be able to return to children’s verse with a more appropriate subject matter.

- W.B.