For Christmas, a long-time friend (and fellow bibliophile) gave me the 2013 edition of Best American Poetry, guest edited by Denise Duhamel. Inside I found, among excellent poems from so many writers–some subtle, some fiery, some an alchemical combination of both–two poems by former Meridian contributors! David Wagoner, whose work we featured in 2011 in Meridian 27, is represented by the poem “Casting Aspersions,” which originally appeared in The Georgia Review. The anthology also includes “Lake Sonnet” by Anne Marie Rooney, whose poem “What the Heart Hides” appeared just last year in Meridian 30. Perhaps you remember: “You are as blank as a long white brick. A tablet. / A pill of earth that your tongue presses down…” “Lake Sonnet” originally appeared in Subtropics.
Meanwhile, our sister publication, the anthology Best New Poets, chose Meridian 29 poetry contributor Rochelle Hurt in its blind submission process as one of fifty promising new voices to showcase in this year’s publication. Additionally, Hurt’s essay “A Disbeliever in Limbo” was selected as a Notable Essay in the Best American Essays series, guest edited by Cheryl Strayed, who will always be Dear Sugar to me. Hurt’s essay appeared in Image 74.
It’s always thrilling to see our writers succeeding!
