Volume 21 Issue 1

Authors

Abstract

This special edition of Nebo: A Literary Journal, titled "Goodbye", was written by Ricky Massengale and serves as a deeply personal collection of poetry dedicated to his late friend, Bobby Jackson. Originally signed in 2005 and later published in Spring 2007, this edition exists outside the standard Nebo volume and issue sequence, contributing to later irregularities in the journal’s numbering system.

This collection is a meditative and heartfelt journey through loss, remembrance, and artistic expression, featuring poems that blend grief, nostalgia, and lyrical storytelling. The dedication to Bobby Jackson, who "lived his life amazed," sets the tone for a series of intimate and reflective works.

Key pieces include:

• "I've Said Too Much", a powerful and emotionally raw poem that moves through historical, personal, and existential grief, navigating the weight of trauma and remembrance.

• "Defining", a poetic exploration of cubism as a metaphor for fragmented memory and identity.

• "Pen, Paper, and Their Nothingness Now", a reflection on the fleeting nature of words and the struggle to capture emotion in writing.

• "Armor", a narrative about childhood innocence, familial struggle, and the protective power of imagination.

This standalone issue highlights the personal, the universal, and the deeply poetic, offering readers a profound meditation on loss and the role of poetry in remembrance.

Recommended Citation

(2025) "Volume 21 Issue 1," NEBO: A Literary Journal: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://orc.library.atu.edu/nebo/vol21/iss1/1