Delmarva Review, Volume 12

Welcome to the twelfth annual edition of the Delmarva Review, our current contribution to discovering the best of literary work. Our editors selected the original new prose and poetry of fifty-three authors from thousands of submissions. Individually and collectively, the writing in this volume touches us as human beings. We can also enjoy the authors' craft and unique voice in the telling of stories and poetry.Our editors selected 72 poems, 10 short stories, and nine nonfiction essays. We also reviewed six recent books of special interest, by regional writers. In all, the authors come from 17 states, the District of Columbia, and four other countries. We are especially pleased to feature the poetry of Meredith Davies Hadaway. Poetry Editor Anne Colwell interviewed Meredith about her work, and six of her poems follow the interview.While there is not one common theme emerging from this year's work, there is an existential darkness that embodies many of the stories and poems. Perhaps that is a sign of our times. The cover photograph, "Rough Water," by contributing photographer Jay P. Fleming, perfectly embodies the themes from this year's selections. Jay's photograph provides the feeling of nature's power and passion, which is expressed throughout this year's writing.