For me, spring has always felt like a time of intentionality and a catalyst for reflection. Most of the time, I spend my lunch breaks writing under trees and watching pollen collect on the pages, lost in thought about what exactly it means to grow. There's a specific kind of hope in how the flowers and leaves return each year despite their desolation in the winter; a rebirth that softens the defenses we create on those long winter nights. Even as the weather brings new storms, winds, and floods, we ultimately remember the season as one of growth and beauty.
Thematically, this issue shares a similar fixation. We move from those quiet early buds into relentless storms and tornados until we find ourselves staring at the aftermath, wondering how we will rebuild, dreaming that somehow we'll come out stronger. The fifteen pieces below are stunning but also acutely aware of how often we are shaped by the storms we endure. As a collection, I hope they inspire reflection and bring a comfort even in their darkness.
Following this issue, Ample Remains will begin a month-long hiatus in order to restructure a bit, so I encourage you all to follow our Twitter for updates. Until then, happy reading!
