Hope or Do We Have One: Poetry for Uncertain Times

The pieces in this issue examine hope on both a micro and macro level, from hope in the context of global change and conflict, to hope regarding how these things (among other factors) affect the relationships in our personal lives. These poems call our attention to the undeniable link between individual experiences and broader socio-political, cultural, and economic realities.

In this issue, we are thrilled to share an essay and accompanying new poetry by award-winning writer Michael Fraser. His words are resonant, reminding us of the power of community and togetherness. We are equally delighted to feature new work by acclaimed poet Alice Notley alongside an interview with her conducted by Montreal-based writer Natalie Podaima. Their conversation is incredibly timely, and explores themes such as cultural crises, the preservation and reshaping of language, and the uncertainty of the future.

Also in this issue, you will find brilliant new poems by Cale Plett, Michelle Elrick, Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang, Mercedes Eng, and Patrick Grace, among many others. And don’t forget to check out the reviews we’ve been saving for this special issue, written by Kendra Guidolin, Clayton Longstaff, Jase Falk, and Noah Cain. They are poignant, vulnerable, and leave us feeling hopeful.

Last but not least, we are so excited to share poems by the winners of CV2’s 17th annual 2-Day Poem Contest, which took place this spring. To see the creative ways these writers managed to use words like “octothorpe” is astounding. We thank our judge, Jocelyn Anderson, for taking on the difficult task of selecting the winning poems from so many great entries.