Editor’s Note

Dear readers,

______In a moment when so many Northwestern traditions have been lost, we are immensely grateful and proud to present the Spring 2020 issue of Helicon Literary & Arts Magazine. With its first appearance in Spring 1980, publishing Helicon is a tradition now 40 years strong. We had hoped to celebrate this milestone year in a number of ways, such as through a library display with items from our archive, a panel featuring former editors and contributors, and, of course, our semi-annual open mic. Like everything else, these plans were either reimagined or put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, what was supposed to be a season of joy and celebration for our community has instead been a time marked by much grief, anxiety, strife, and unrest.
______Amidst the uncertainty, we realized we could only double down on our primary purpose, which is to showcase the incredible talent of Northwestern undergraduate artists and writers. While I cannot anticipate how future scholars will define pre- and post-pandemic art and literature, the literary historian in me would like to note that we solicited submissions in March and early April, which means the works presented here were created either before or on the cusp of this great societal upheaval. If any of these pieces appear prescient, may we credit not the “universals” of human emotion but rather the keen observance of our contributors. With that, Helicon gives its thanks to the folks who have filled our pages with their wisdom, vulnerability, humor, and imagination.
______I would also like to offer my sincerest thanks to the Northwestern and Helicon alumni whose generous donations continue to keep the Helicon tradition alive, in particular Helicon’s co-founder Lisa Getter whose recollection of the journal’s conception appears in these pages; the Office of Residential Academic Initiatives, especially Director of Residential Academic Initiatives Bradley Zakarin, Associate Director Nancy Anderson, and Program Assistant Mary Dworak, for structurally supporting Helicon throughout the many years; RCB President Eleanor Ellis for fostering Helicon’s relationship with the residential college community and helping us reach new audiences; the brilliant staff editors who diligently read through all the submissions with such thoughtfulness and care, especially under the conditions of a global pandemic; the executive and editorial board whose hard work and dedication carried this endeavor from beginning to end; and of course, Elzbieta Foeller-Pituch, our faculty advisor, whose guidance and mentorship is itself a legacy within the Helicon tradition.
______This all brings me to say that, in addition to commemorating the perseverance of a literary and arts magazine, I hope you, dear reader, can honor your own perseverance in these trying times. Yours is a narrative, a lyric, a canvas through which you bear witness to the triumphs and tribulations of this historic moment. May it be characterized by resilience, care, peace, and, ultimately, joy.

Sincerely,
Erika Barrios
Editor in chief

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Helicon Literary & Arts Magazine was the brainchild of three students in Mary Kinzie’s 1979 poetry sequence. Lisa Getter, Christina Calvit, and Michael Steele wanted to provide Northwestern with a regularly published literary magazine that could showcase the artistic work of the student body. Helicon began in Chapin, the Humanities Residential College, and is currently affiliated with the residential college system and the Office of Residential Academic Initiatives. The first issue appeared in the spring of 1980.

The works published herein are the sole property of the writers and artists who created them. No work may be used without the explicit permission of the author or artist.