n. 1. The acts or processes of editing or revising writings; preparations for publication. 2. Edited works; new editions or revisions. 3. A journal of poetry and poetics that is published every nine months and that welcomes: poems; poetry book reviews; translations; manifestos; essays concerning poetry, poetics, poetry movements, or a specific poet or a group of poets; and anything dealing with poetry.

Dear W. S. Merwin,

It was two years ago when I arrived at the idea for this issue and Mike and Michelle were quick to agree, and now the issue has finally arrived. It is our — the editors and all those who contributed to this issue – way of saying happy 80th birthday W. S. Merwin. It is our way of saying thank you for everything you have given to and done for American poetry and poetry in general. It is our way of expressing our awe at a life so devoted to poetry. It is our way of celebrating your imagination. It is our way of echoing your tones — so passionate and reserved and deliberate. It is our way of expressing appreciation for your language. But mostly, it is our way of tipping our collective hat to your genius. Yes, genius. I don’t use the word lightly. Enjoy your birthday. Enjoy the issue. Enjoy the tribute. And, most of all, enjoy the poetry.

The celebration doesn’t end there though. We needed to do something unique for this issue. So I dug deep into the history of typefaces to find one that not only read well but that somehow paralleled your poetry. A typeface that I would use if I were to lay out a book of your poems. And so, today, we revive Caslon. Caslon was created in 1725 by William Caslon. The typeface can be classified as a Dutch Old Style typeface while at the same time showing new skill levels in punch-cutting. It raised the level for what a typeface can be. I see that in you, Merwin. I see the past talking in your poetry while you move poetry forward – setting new levels for what we can expect from poetry. In this typeface I also see the slope of a mountain in the capital letters, especially the A. It’s the mountain I envision when I read my favorite Merwin poem, “The Mountain.” I should also mention that Caslon was chosen by Benjamin Franklin for the first printing of The American Declaration of Independence. I see you, Merwin, as declaring your thinking and imagination not dependent upon language. For you, language doesn’t control your imagination and thinking, as it does for most, if not all, of us. Instead, you make thinking, imagination, and language work together to create democratic poems for all to read and enjoy. Thank you! Enjoy. Find Beauty!

• Tom Holmes' Negative Time has been released from Pudding House.
6-24-07)

• Mike Dockins' poem "Dead Critics Society" has been chosen by Heather McHugh for inclusion in The Best American Poetry 2007. "Dead Critics Society" first appeared in the Atlanta Review. It also appeared on Verse Daily on April 10, 2006.
(1-8-07)

• New email address: redactionspoetry @ yahoo.com
(11-14-06)

• Mike Dockins book Slouching in the Path of a Comet has been accepted for publication. Due out in early 2007 from Sage Hill Press. Preorder at sagehillpress@yahoo.com.
(9-1-06).

• Poetry Assignments: The Book by Tom Holmes, with Mike Dockins & Michelle Bonczek. Due out in early 2007 from Sage Hill Press. Tentatively priced at $20. Reserve a copy now, and receive a 40% discount. Contact Sage Hill Press at: sagehillpress@yahoo.com. Offer expires during the AWP conference.
(9-1-06).

• Redactions is currently seeking submissions for Gemaldegedicht — a poem inspired by or based on a painting. Submissions for this will end in October 2006.
(4-19-06).

• We are no longer accepting mythic poem submissions for the mythic issue. But we are still and always reading and accepting submissions of poems, essays, books, interviews, etc.
(1-7-06).