A Letter From Your Head Editors

First and foremost, we would like to thank this year's Harvest contributors for their submissions. Every year is a little different and it’s always exciting for us editors to see the talent that comes from SCSU’s students. We continue to be impressed with your work and the dedication that goes into your craft. Without it, Harvest would not exist. Thank you.

We would also like to thank our fellow editors for their hard work and dedication. Our editors are responsible for a lot more than just editing. They find opportunities for us to market and bring awareness about the UMH to campus and then attend those events outside of our usual meetings. They also give up a portion of their winter break to read through the submissions and are tasked with making very difficult decisions on those submissions. You’ve all done a magnificent job this year. So, thank you for all your hard work.

To our talented and devoted designer, Marguerite Crumley, who has created the journal you hold in your hands. From working with tight deadlines to sharing her expertise we never have to worry about the quality of our journal. Her talent is endless and we are so fortunate to be able to have her in our corner. Thank you, Marg.

A very sincere and grateful thank you to our adviser, Professor Shannon Olson. Her wit, intelligence, and faith in us make creating this journal every year so enjoyable and educational for us all.

To our ever-reliable, kind, and hard-working Molly Mitzel. We pester you quite a bit each year with our printing needs and all things administrative. We sincerely appreciate everything you have done for us no matter how busy you were. Thank you for always greeting us with a smile and enthusiasm to help us out, it means more than you know.

To Dr. Judith Dorn, Co-Chair of St. Cloud State’s English department. Thank you for continuing to support the arts and allowing Harvest to have a home and a community within our university where we can grow and evolve from year to year.

It has been a challenging year but we have met it with laughter, dedication, and an overall desire to present the best journal possible.

We sincerely thank you all and hope you enjoy the 32nd edition of the Upper Mississippi Harvest.

Faculty Advisor

Shannon Olson

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

– E.B. White

Head Editors

Chinyin Oleson

"Estragon: I’m like that. Either I forget right away or I never forget."

– Samuel Beckette, Waiting for Godot

Leanne Loy

"Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope."

– Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Designer Marguerite

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

–Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Editors Greici Alles

"[...] watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

– Roald Dahl

Carissa Natalia Baconguis

“at least one of us is alive / if this is happening / either you are reading / or I am”

– Heather Christle, Outnumbered

Michelle Gay Taylor

Let your Dim Light Shine

– Soul Asylum

Harmony Oleson

"Being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared. Being brave means you are scared, really scared, badly scared, and you do the right thing anyway."

– Neil Gaiman, Coraline