2021 Literary Magazine: The Rough Draft

Letter From the Editors Dear Reader, This year, faced with tension and isolation, we have turned to art and expression more than ever. The mindset that, through community and self-reflection, we can persevere and find beauty in small moments has guided our approach to this edition of The Rough Draft. As many of us graduate from the security of childhood into the terrifying environment of adulthood, we are navigating the coexistence of nostalgia for the past and wariness for the future. Every story, told through writing or art, carries a unique and personal significance which then resonates differently with all who experience it.

After reading this year’s submissions, it became clear that the Flint Hill community was experiencing a similar sense of nostalgia, a paradox of freedom and captivity. We received truly incredible work, and the increasing length of The Rough Draft reflects the difficult process of selecting pieces for publication. Working in a virtual setting provided its own set of challenges, but we are so proud of the work our team has accomplished; we believe that The Rough Draft is a student publication in every sense.

On the very special anniversary of 20 volumes, we present a chronicle of three acts. Within them exist sentiments of a time period that will shape a generation. We share the anger, yearning, confusion, grief, and resilience of this community through the art they have shared with us. We hope you enjoy this year’s literary magazine, and that you, too, can find moments to treasure as we all discover what it means to move forward.

— The Senior Editors “Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition” — James Baldwin 9