Volume 26 Issue 2

Authors

Abstract

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, published in Spring 2012, features a collection of poetry that bridges the past and present, offering reflections on history, memory, and personal transformation. The issue, archived as Volume 26, Issue 2, corresponds to the print edition labeled Volume 30, Issue 2. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

The editorial preface by James Ritchie emphasizes the importance of historical consciousness in literature, aligning with T.S. Eliot’s philosophy that writers must have an “awareness of the past” to create meaningful work. The poetry in this issue serves as a literary time capsule, capturing moments from wars, family histories, and cultural shifts, offering readers intimate and profound glimpses into past experiences.

Key highlights include:

• "The Sock Monster" by Tim Beirne, a playful yet haunting metaphor for loss and the unseen forces that shape our lives.

• "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Jamie Blakely, a poetic meditation on the fleeting nature of love and memory.

• "The Beauty of Pi" by Robert Cooperman, an exploration of mathematical elegance and its poetic resonance.

• "The Eyes of Oedipus" by James Valvis, a reflection on fate, justice, and human blindness, both literal and metaphorical.

• "The Paris of the Middle East" by Shahe Mankerian, a powerful evocation of Beirut’s lost beauty and cultural richness.

• "The Thieves Among Us" by James Valvis, a sharp, witty commentary on childhood imagination and the nature of suspicion.

• "Keats and the Doctors" by Dr. William Miller, a poetic narrative about John Keats’ tragic confrontation with mortality.

• "Last Train Leaving Berlin, May 1945" by Stanley M. Noah, a historical reflection on the chaos of wartime Germany.

• "Wings of Irish Linen" by Dr. William Miller, a touching account of a man’s wartime memories of building biplanes.

With its rich selection of poetry that spans time periods, cultures, and emotional landscapes, this issue of Nebo creates a literary bridge between past and present, inviting readers to reflect on the shared human experience through verse.

Recommended Citation

(2025) "Volume 26 Issue 2," NEBO: A Literary Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://orc.library.atu.edu/nebo/vol26/iss2/1