Letter From The Editor

              Welcome to the fourth issue of White Enso. 
                                  To get the full benefit of this journal,
                             it is best to view it on a computer or tablet.


​      As I write this message to White Enso readers, the Antarctic and Arctic are experiencing record high temperatures; Ukrainians are fighting for their lives and independence while the rest of the world wonders if Russia will use chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons; and citizens around the world are worrying whether inflation, high gas prices will affect their ability to feed themselves and their families. These are worrying times. 
     An underlying theme through many of the creative works in this issue of White Enso is relationships. Relationships—good or bad, healthy or destructive—have consequences, and this reflects so clearly in the world situations described above. Read Arlene Geller’s poem “I am of earth” or Margaret Chula’s “Alone at Taizo-in Temple” to understand the importance of our relationship with nature. Read “Enso Eyes” by Lindsey Harrington or “Sons and Fathers” by Tony Concannon to be reminded that family relationships are not easy, but worth the effort to make them work, even after many years of estrangement. 
     But ‘relationship’ means more than our interactions with and treatment of nature or fellow humans. It also includes the concept of connection, attachment, parallel existence. LindaAnn LoSchiavo’s short story “Cocktail” is about a man in 1980s New York City who wants to undergo a sex-change operation, detailing how even our relationship with ourselves can be fraught, and Peter Mallett’s “Kimono Memories” shows that relationships are often a matter of perception, and can be tied to seemingly unrelated objects.
     Spend five minutes looking at your own relationships, and it takes only five seconds to understand Hugh MacKay’s point when he said, “Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational.” And yet, we deal with that imperfection every day. We weave our way through the complexities and around the irrational behaviour because we constantly strive for solutions to our problems and resolution to life’s uncertainties. Because we hope and love. We laugh at our differences and embrace our commonalities. Rona Conti, Ron C. Moss, and Milan Rajkumar depict that in their contributions to White Enso.
     This issue is full of hope and positivity despite the doom and gloom reflected in current events. Small celebrations of the myriad relationships humans have. You will enjoy every one and feel better about the world around you. I’m sure of it.
​Linda Gould
Managing Editor                                                                                                       
                                                                                  Cover design and photo by Linda Gould.
                                                                                              All photos in White Enso by Linda Gould unless otherwise noted.

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Table of Contents                                                                                                                                         Page One