Issue Seven
Letter from the Editor
These are simple words, with worlds of meaning...
Progression is what life is about. Passion drives it. Integrity will sustain it.
My 11-year-old son, running for 6th grade class president, told me he wants to run on a simple platform of being honest, respectful and responsible. These are simple words, with worlds of meaning. I am, needless to say, win or lose, proud of him.
Once again it comes back to the integrity of what you do, and how you do it. This is the thread of what you are and will create a foundation from which you build upon. You have to nurture it, make it evolve and unfortunately, in today’s world, protect it with a fierce intensity.
Once in awhile we have to push the envelope of our being–to bring about awareness and change. And, if in life we lead by example, it is important to at some point, gain some understanding of who we are by reaching past and looking beyond that which is only material.
Such are the actions of Donald Pickhardt, whose Journals from Haiti, Hope on the Island of Despair are herein. This is an important piece. It is a social commentary and perhaps an insight into where we may be globally–as human beings.
Don is one of a team of physicians who went to Haiti on a humanitarian trek. Though not a photographer, Don's images speak volumes and his words, which are simple journal entries, bring to light some of the harsh realities that lie just beyond our borders.
Additionally, Jen Tappenden & Karen Lewis profile Pulitzer Prize winning poet Carl Dennis, in Sitting in Emerson’s Chair. Keith Frome writes Motels–a Meditation. JoAnn Falletta explores Music and the Mind and Joe Sweeney writes about jazz pianist Matthew Shipp. Cassie Gainer’s Dance is our fiction piece and, of course, there’s much more! Please read and page through as I believe, once again, that this is our best issue to date!
Traffic East–The mission...
Traffic East is designed to be a publication of national and/or international interest coming from within this locality–dedicated to promoting the cultural arts here in this culturally rich region, including Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Rochester– thus, linking it with other nationally and internationally renowned cities, including Toronto and New York.
I have wanted Traffic East to be an inspiration to all involved. From the visual artists to the poets to our advertisers and perhaps most importantly to our readers. Thank you for being an inspiration to us by supporting us and staying with us in 2003!
God Bless. Keep well and enjoy peace through the holidays.
Mark Ernest Dellas