From the Editor Winter 2022

We are what we eat, and we are what we listen to? I hope the period of entrenched tribal social media association will come to an end soon. I do not see how we can move forward as a national community if we do not break free from our opinion orbits and begin to truly listen to one another.

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

A part of PAN-O-PLY’s mission is to “… to provide an outlet for respectful thought and conversation.” We hope to bring you the varied stories and voices from around greater Michiana. We hope to bring you something new, a position to consider, a new perspective.

What we choose to listen to in our feeds isn’t everything, and what we hear isn’t everything we can know. Sometimes it is difficult to listen to another opinion when it does not mesh with your own view. By listening more to others, we expand our view of the world around us and gain a deeper appreciation of perspectives. Please join us as we strive to listen to the many voices of Michiana.

A short list of submissions we would like to see in 2022. Can you recommend someone? Email PAN-O-PLY at panoplymichiana@gmail.com.

1. Photo essay of farm life.

2. Photo essay of an orchard through 4 seasons.

3. Poetry from varied cultural perspectives of our community.

4. Art of Faith essay from Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish and other religions.

5. Poetry from Michigan City, St Joseph, Plymouth, Warsaw, Benton Harbor.

6. Short stories about the cultural perspectives of our community.

7. We would like to connect with any poetry reading groups in greater Michiana.

8. Photo essays of people.

9. Memoirs about life, love, and learning in Michiana.

10. Essays about almost anything.

PAN-O-PLY Story & Art Michiana FLIP BOOK

Lake Michigan

If Our Communion Breaks

by Dan Breen

Let us be more like a wave

made of many molecules

Dependent, relying upon

each individual voice

Vibrato unison crashing!

Separating

receding to whole

Absorbing the past

learning to reform

Unrelenting foam

Gathering strength

An individual molecule

cannot polish a stone