Introduction

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another issue of Subjective Substance. This issue marks the beginning of our third year,
which is an exciting landmark. We continue to receive excellent poetry and encouraging feedback
from a vibrant, supportive, and diverse community. 

Subjective Substance has always been a non-profit venture, aimed at promoting contemporary voices 
that need to be heard, and appreciating the handiwork of introspective and socially aware individuals 
who have a knack for creating concise, highly personal poems that provide windows into the soul.

I would like to thank our poets, who have dedicated the time and energy to share their profound and 
painstakingly-wrought expressions of truth with us. Also, thanks to the monthly subscribers who have 
entrusted us to present them only pure Subjective Substance, and absolutely no spam.

This month we feature several especially introspective poems which are very thoughtfully constructed: 

Margaret James's poems "Approaches" and "Who Lost?" feature short, evocative phrases that are like 
miniature self-encapsulated portraits. As with William Carlos Williams's poems, you'll want to read 
between the lines. 

Heather McCuen Dearmon puts very simple but powerfully original ideas into lyrical form in her poems 
"portrait endeavor" and "scratch." She explores the bittersweet disconnect between the lover and the 
beloved with a remarkable depth of feeling and sincerity.

Abayomi Ogunwale and Carol Elizabeth Owens both explore the topics of reality and truth, each in 
their own way. In the highly original "Back-dated," Ogunwale follows a simple thread of logic up to an 
enlightening conclusion. In the rhymed "Truth," Owens gives insight into the profound, and sometimes 
ironic, simplicity of "that-which-is-true."   

Sharon Esther Lampert also shares her wisdom into the nature of this life, stylishly presented, in her 
poem, "Impossible."

Finally, as we occasionally feature essays on writing, I am excited to present a piece by David Burn 
on the impact of geographical location on consciousness and belongingness. Analyses of the 
writing process, such as his essay, usually lead to a greater appreciation of writing as a form of 
expression.

All the Best in Life and Writing,


Omar Azam