Hobble Creek Review
Dedication
Right now I’m listening to “Here’s that Rainy Day” by Bill
Evans and thinking of Reginald Shepherd, who recently died. I
never really knew him, and only occasionally read his blog.
Whenever I did read his blog I knew I was in over my head. I knew I
was looking at the real deal. No half-hearted, half thought out
comments when you posted a response, I can assure you. Maybe
that’s why I wasn’t a regular visitor. Coming to terms with what he
had to say was difficult enough. I didn’t need to open my mouth and
remove all doubt that I am a fool, if you know what I mean.
I started to read his poems and I even went as far as to ask for a
chapbook from a friend who was offering. Shepherd was only six
years older than me, but miles above me as a poet and critic. When
reading his poetry, those poems which had been posted by admirers, I
was struck with the guilt of a poet for not being more dedicated to
the act of writing. To read his poems now makes me feel inadequate
and simultaneously jealous. Here was a man whose immense love of
language was evident in the passion he expressed when talking
about poetry on his blog, but that passion pales in comparison after
reading even one of his poems. I must admit that while I
occasionally popped onto his blog, I secretly thought I would not like
his poetry and never actively searched for any. Now I am looking
into budgeting so I can buy all of his books.
I am not only speaking fondly of those who have recently passed, I
am talking about the power that poetry has to convert the human
soul and transform a person’s heart into something much better.
Even though I don’t have the capacity to write like Shepherd, I feel
born again. I want to re-dedicate myself to writing my best poems. I
want to rid myself of that Johnny-Come-Lately feeling and make my
poems matter. I owe as much to Poetry if not to myself.
As editor of this small concern, I am bringing you poems that I really
enjoy, and I hope you enjoy them as well. I hope you see this as a re-
dedication to finding the best poetry and prose related to place I
can. Thanks to all of our contributors this time around. Some
familiar faces as well as some new friends are here. Please stay a
while, and if you are a poet, please consider submitting for our next
issue.
Sincerely,
Justin Evans