While tempting to compare like a field’s inaugural issue to nudging a baby bird out of the nest, it’s more akin to a warbler’s impact into a building perceived as sky, or the collision of one’s perception with reality. In other words, we found the field differently than we imagined (being of three minds, like a bird). Our fairytale task was to sew the muddied, lush, topographic contradictions of the Midwest (or what it represents) into a single, cohesive canvas called spring—that fat, April-ripe lemon. Experimenting with the recipe, we discovered Spring 2024 to be made from the lore of morels, 100% Pure Chilean Honey, and green bean leaves. So, please wield your bright knives thoughtfully and enjoy wherever you’re reading from, no matter the state of your weather. May the feeling after be the street filled with song, a reminder that the poem is not a job, or the realization that you’re part-human, part-(Rabbit) just as you suspected.

— the editors

warbler's impact
of three minds, like a bird
fairytale task
muddied, lush, topographic
fat, April-ripe lemon
lore of morels
100% Pure Chilean Honey
green bean leaves
bright knives
no matter the state of your weather
street filled with song
poem is not a job
(Rabbit)