Editors' Note
In this winter’s issue, we searched for work with an “element of surprise,” work that served as a “momentary distraction,” in the words of Issue 74 artist Whiskey Radish. We delighted in finding poetry that interrupted our day-to-day, prose we couldn’t stop thinking about, and art that called us back again and again. Together, these pieces form an issue both surreal and authentic, unconventional but familiar.
Charlotte Knoors’ “Delphi Exposed” shocked us with its vulnerability, exposing us almost as much as its narrator. The nostalgic heat of Jenna Johnson’s “Southport” engulfed our editorial table, weaving us into the speaker’s memory. Just as we were surprised by the fluid double reading of Aiman Tahir Khan’s contrapuntal, we were amazed by the endless new images we picked out each time we saw Yewon Han’s “And repeated.” Like it did for us, we hope this issue will distract you, draw you in, and astound you in ways you never would’ve guessed.
As always, we are so grateful for the many people who help make this magazine a reality. Thank you to our incredible contributors, for giving us the honor of publishing your work, and to all our staff members who had many a late night creating this issue. And of course, thank you to our readers for giving these exceptional pieces such a supportive audience. We hope you enjoy Issue 74: Winter of The Penn Review.