Nevertheless, Poetry Persists

Dear Perugia Community,

We don’t yet have all the words we want or need to say in the wake of this last election cycle, but “we do language,” as Toni Morrison said, and we can and will use that to respond and to resist.

We’ve been remembering gathering to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Perugia in November of 2016 – what a balm it was then to be together in our community that is rooted in listening to, celebrating, uplifting, and trusting women’s voices. 

Our November 15 contest deadline always coincides with elections. You may not be ready for hope and feathers yet, but as submissions keep winging in here at Perugia, I want to take a moment to say thank you. Gratitude to all the poets entrusting us to hold space for your important, beautiful work, and to the team who shares in the work and joy of reading those manuscripts. It’s a gift to be part of this powerful, necessary, and productive labor, and, if you are reading this, you are part of that enterprise too. Thank you.

And, in case you didn’t know, each year we donate a percentage of our book sales to organizations that support the lives and work of Black, Indigenous, and women of color. So your Perugia bookshop picks support the press and our mission and also have a ripple effect; The Care Center, Torch Literary Arts, and We Are Not Numbers are the 2024/2025 recipients. 

In Solidarity,

Rebecca Olander, Editor/Director