Volume 45, Issue 1

WORDS UPON WORDS—books not only containing words, but also about them. Reference books that sit and wait till a void opens in the mind, an oversight in ones education, a lapse of memory, a foray into the ignorant swamp in the intellectual backyard. Style manuals, as if style could be step-by-step like auto repair. Topographies calling countries into existence. Libraries with omniscient architecture, used bookshops dusted with arcana, secret passageways under or behind the display windows of literacy. In this issue are words about words about words, miners' headlamps in the corridors....

MR salutes two poetry editors who are stepping down after many years of passionate collecting for these pages. Anne Halley, author most recendy of Rumors of the Turning Wheel, was co-editor of last year's special issue, A Gathering in Honor of Jules Chametzky. She has been a central figure in the history and development of MR from its inception, and we're delighted that she will stay on as contributing editor.

Paul Jenkins, author most recendy of Six Small Fires, also wrote the official history of Greenfield, Massachusetts. As MR co-editor, he has not only combed through our annual haul of 22,000 incoming poems, but has also been a wise consigliere in the human and literary history of the magazine. He too will stay on as contributing editor.

We're glad to announce that Ellen Doré Watson will become general editor for poetry. She is director of the Poetry Center at Smith College, and author most recently of Ladder Music, winner of the New York/New England award from Alice James Books. She is also the English translator of Adelia Prado. Ellen has served MR in many capacities, including managing editor, business manager, and translation editor. Now she can do them all at once!

David Lenson
for the editors

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