Views and Mechanics Publisher's Note Editor's Note Review of Nickel and Dimed Review of Night Shade By Elizabeth Murray Radical Influence: Review of Spoken Word Revolution Redux By Romella D. Kitchens Creative Nonfiction Toiling in the Garden of Memory By Madonna Dries Christensen Poetry Homecoming By Nic Sebastian Maple Syrup Emergency By Paul Carlino Bathroom Visitor By Michael Lee Johnson Fiction A Job Well Done By Catherine Cheek Animal Man By R.B. Trout Watch Over By S.K. Tatiner The Frailty of Perfection By William R. Stoddart Eat Drink and Be Merry By Rebecca Barbush Cover Art "Riot of Flowers" By Dee Rimbaud About the Contributors © 2007, River Walk Journal and respective authors and artists. All rights reserved. Do not use or reproduce without permission. River Walk Journal, Inc. Board of Directors Chairman - Elizabeth Ross Vice Chairman - Joseph Koch Secretary/Treasurer - Geri Stock-Ross Editorial Director - Patti Kurtz, DA Literacy Director - Kenneth Weiss, Ed.D Policy Director - PA State Rep. Jess Stairs Advisory Board Chairman - Patti Kurtz, DA Asst. Chairman - Dan Lachenman, PhD Samuel Hazo Christopher Leland Edwin Yoder Joseph Bathanti Journal Staff Publisher - Elizabeth Ross Editor-In-Chief - Joseph Koch Senior Editor - Patti Kurtz Senior Editor - Neeldhara Misra Copyeditor - Kathy Skaggs Blog Contributing Editor - Maggie Koster Education Blog Contributing Editors - Jordan Wirfs-Brock, Kim Haynes Publicity Director (PA) - Geri Stock-Ross For information about submissions, visit http://www.riverwalkjournal.org/subs.html. Questions about promotions, subscribers' services, and advertising should be sent to publisher@riverwalkjournal.org. River Walk Journal, Inc. is a non-profit corporation run entirely by volunteers. For information about volunteer opportunities and internships, visit VolunteerMatch. |
Editor's Note I hope this finds you all enjoying the end of summer, getting whatever it is you need done for fall. As a little break from leaf raking, or pie baking, we propose our latest issue. First up for fiction we have Catherine Cheek’s story, "A Job Well Done". Its about the odd ways that pride can be found in wierd places, by the oddest people, but for the right reasons. R.B. Trout contributes "Animal Man". Do old fanatical activists die? Fade away? You decide. S.K. Tatiner’s story "Watch Over" and William R. Stoddard’s "The Frailty of Perfection" examine weakness. “Frailty” is about commingling despair and hope, the known and unknown; “Watch Over” deals with superficiality, loss, and the all too often foolishness of humanity. Rebecca Barbush rounds out our fiction section with "Eat, Drink, and be Merry". Anyone who’s ever worried about cooking Christmas dinner instead of one’s mother-in-law will appreciate this one. Our main character’s fear of inadequacy leads her on a journey that ends with her learning more about her mother-in-law’s “wild, misspent youth” than she anticipated. This issue’s creative non-fiction piece is Madonna Dries Christensen’s "Toiling In The Garden Of Memory ". The story shows us the terror, and ultimate affirmation of life in living with and caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. For poetry we have Nic Sebastian’s "Homecoming". It’s a prodigal son piece, except that she’s a daughter instead. Paul Carlino brings us "Maple Syrup Emergency". His is a romantic poem about maple syrup, but not too syrupy. Michael Lee Johnson rounds out poetry with "Bathroom Visitor". His poem is a snapshot of an uninvited eight-legged guest. Please enjoy this issue, and remember to enjoy how beautiful the leaves are, and not just rake them. Joseph Koch |