It has been far too long…

The social and physical distancing.

The staying at home.

The inability to move around your neighborhood at will, without protective masks, gloves, sanitizers.

Watching some people stay oblivious to protecting

It has been far too long.

Since the last issue of aaduna.

Even as we continued to promote literary and visual art creatives, we fell off the rails regarding our publication schedule.

And as with most precarious moments, there were pathways back to routine, normalcy, the expected.

We are on a different path.

The 2020 aaduna double issue is being prepped and we expect to launch in May.*

And in that issue, there will be dynamic voices who explore a full range of human dynamics, hopes, dreams, disappointments, and achievement over adverse conditions.

Here are excerpts from two of the upcoming featured writers:

Dr. Douglas Taylor (photo provided)

Dr. Douglas Taylor, an excerpt from “The Voice.”

The voice was casually angry. Bitter and disciplinary, like a teacher who brought personal problems into the classroom. It was also a familiar voice, like that of a family member. Truth be told, it reminded him of his father’s voice when it went shrill during the one-sided arguments that took place between his parents during his childhood.

            Jay stopped short at the crosswalk. A young white couple was crossing the street with a small dog. The man’s bushy beard contrasted starkly with his prep-school looks. He looked like he might have dropped out of Harvard to become a lumberjack. The woman wore an over-sized plaid shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. They looked at one another, laughing and chatting as they crossed the street, completely oblivious to the waiting traffic. 

Thomas Backer (photo provided)

Thomas Backer returns to aaduna with his “Goodwill.” Here is the opening to his story.

When my wife died it was like they had taken me off life support.  My daughter had to decide whether to bury or cremate, which charitable organization should get the donations, everything.  After a month of me shuffling around in my slippers and pajamas at her place, she exploded.  “Dammit, dad!  You want to join mom in her coffin you go ahead but you’ve got to stop letting me feed you and tuck you in at night.  Do something with what’s left of your life.”

            So, I moved back to my house and, since I was retired and didn’t want to just stare at the clock, hoping it would move faster, I started volunteering at Goodwill.

***

* aaduna is an exclusively volunteer-driven journal. During this period of COVID-19, we remain keenly sensitive to the time commitments of volunteers as they grapple with personal, family and life issues associated with this global pandemic. While every step will be implemented to stay on our publication timeframe, delays may be predicated by the disease or an overloaded Internet. Contributors will be advised accordingly or there will be updates posted on www.aadunanotes.blogspot.com. We appreciate your understanding.

aaduna - an online adventure with words and images - a globally read, multi-cultural, and diverse online literary and visual arts journal established in 2010.  Visit us at www.aaduna.org where we put measurable actions to our words.

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