A Call for Peace

As we launch the 14th Issue of Please See Me, our theme of “Acceptance” resonates more deeply than ever, intersecting profoundly with a pressing global need for peace. In these pages, our writers, poets, and artists explore acceptance, and lack of the same, through health-related narratives that touch the lives of vulnerable populations and the caregivers who dedicate their careers to watch over them.

In light of recent events drawing us into deeper conflict, particularly in the Middle East, the image of peace as a companion theme felt necessary. Issue #14 arrives at a time when the world struggles to not only maintain a peaceful shared existence but also to accept the rights of human beings to live, love, and be who they are. The header image for each piece was chosen as a call for peace; the dove with olive branch protected by the strength of the mountains and the cleansing power of water flowing down the mountain stream reminds us that nature will always be the grand equalizer. The narratives curated here mirror both that power and the complexities of an increasingly connected global society.

In Patricia Dutt’s short story, Thirteen Knives of Grape Jelly, we are reminded of the life-changing impact one person believing in us can have. In Ervin Brown’s creative nonfiction, Caterpillars and Tire Swings, we can see the cruelty of insecurity imposed on a perceived vulnerable target only to realize the true strength that lies in the author’s ability to endure and rise above the ignorance of so many in his young life. In fact, much of our nonfiction in Issue #14 exemplifies the strength of the vulnerable to endure the failings of others (Scott Schaible’s Paging Dr. Tactless) and that it is still the power of love and friendship that can normalize and lessen the stigma of mental illness (Millie Sparks, Books and Galaxies; Alison Watson, Cutting).

Our poets are especially skilled at shining light on the beauty and strength in trying to live with and accept loss and the different versions of ourselves that come with the passing of time. In reading Lucia Owen’s three poems, I was reminded of Joan Didion’s Year of Magical Thinking and inspired by the poet’s ability to remain grounded in the present and her grief. Lorraine Jeffery’s, Cables and Carabiners, reminds us to do what we love no matter our age. And Miriam Bassuk details aging in words that speak to us all in our varied stages of aging, reminding us to both give grace to ourselves and to those who may precede us in a process we will all experience.

Each piece, whether it be fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, or cover artist, An Viaznikova’s Invisible Series, delves into the different shades of accepting or resisting what life presents, offering readers perspectives that are as enlightening as they are moving.

Our mission at Please See Me has always been to welcome voices that might otherwise go unheard, and to shed light on the hidden struggles and victories within the healthcare system where possible. We offer a platform for empathy and understanding, fostering a community where acceptance can flourish.

As we continue to grow and evolve as a publication, we look forward to expanding our platform to include writing workshops, open mic opportunities and even more diverse voices and stories. The upcoming issues and projects promise to further our commitment to providing a space where all can share and find solace in each other’s experiences. Thank you for joining us in this type of storytelling and healing. Your support, whether as readers, contributors, or advocates, is invaluable. Together, we continue to break barriers and build bridges in the pursuit of health, wellness, and, ultimately, a more peaceful and accepting world.

Tracy Granzyk is the editor in chief of Please See Me.