June 14, 2024 - Jordan Myers’ “Introducing our new Editor, Elizabeth Lerman” / “What if?”
I’m sorry. I fell asleep and entered into this fever dream. I did not know how long it would last, but I knew that it wouldn’t last forever —- that it could not last forever. I‘ve been thinking a lot about the City —- that city —- New York City, and what it means to me and why I lived there for as long as I did —- and why I lived there at all.
I knew Curlew would not end when I left, but I didn’t know what to do with this Curlew world that I’ve had the honor of sharing, co-creating and living in with so many wonderful people over these last seven years.
I knew I had to leave New York. And at a later time and day, I’ll share those details and tell that story. When? September 28, 2024. That’s when we’ll have Issue No. 10 ready, my last issue as the Editor of this magazine. Until then, I’ll be working with our new Editor, Elizabeth Lerman, as we re-launch Curlew Daily, prepare issue No. 10, and re-create the landscape of what it means to be a contributor and subscriber to this journal.
What does it take to be the editor of Curlew? The first thought that comes to mind is a certain fierceness —- a certain degree of strength and determination . . . an ability to love a city that keeps telling you and showing you, again and again —- I’m not lovable, I’m not a place that you should fall in love with —- I hurt people. That fierceness, that love for this city that does not want to be loved — that cannot be loved, is what’s needed. But what else? An inquisitive mind and a curious heart — a sense of wonder and excitement. And of course, compassion, coupled with an ability and want to write and read honest, vulnerable, and brave work.
The beauty of New York for me has always been what if? Perhaps there’s no place in the world that lives and breathes and offers up as much sheer possibility as New York City. That sense of possibility . . . that what if feeling is what brought me to La Guardia with a suitcase and an unclear dream (though a dream nonetheless!) in August of 2011. That sense of possibility, blended with the realities of what six years of living in New York felt like, is what led to me deciding to pour my heart and energies into making this journal . . . this place, into a reality. And I did not do it alone.
The list of those co-creators and contributors who have built this place with me is long and enchantingly beautiful, so I'll only name a few: Jason Koo and his poem, “Morning, Motherfucker,” first gave me the idea. Adrian Moens, Alexandra Bildsoe, and Emily Fishman . . . they were the first to give me the courage to try. Elizabeth Lerman and Rahil Najafabadi . . . their shared vision, belief, and work allowed me to keep going. Everyone else . . . their names are listed on the covers of Issue Nos. 1-8 and within the pages of Issue No. 9. And many many others, their names may not appear anywhere, but I hold them dearly in my heart and memory all the same.
Having met, worked with, and enjoyed the work of Elizabeth since 2020, I know and trust that whatever is meant to happen within this Curlew world next, she’ll be capable of handling —- she’ll be able to provide the steady hand and voice that will be needed.
When we first spoke about her taking over as editor a few months ago, almost right away the full circle timing was obvious: Curlew began during my 30th year, and Elizabeth — she won’t mind me saying (I’ve asked!) —- is right around the same age these days. Good luck and thank you, Elizabeth.
When I dream back to that first summer, 2017, and that first night, August 10, when we launched Issue No. 1 at Berl’s Poetry shop in Dumbo, Brooklyn, my heart overflows with nostalgia and joy.
Will this world still be around, five, ten, or even twenty years from now? God, I hope so.
- Jordan Myers
