editor's note

The small moments in our lives, the ones so easily bypassed, often become the ones we miss the most. We head indoors as a rainbow appears, turn away when the butterfly lands, blink as lightning flashes. Perspectives flicker in and out of view; we are bound to miss a few things. But stories are not lost from a single spark.

I, for one, often find myself with my head too far into the deep end of the future that I forget to paddle. I miss the small things in life and end up longing for them more. I could have taken that picture, saved that card, talked to him more, or played that song one last tine. These moments flicker by so fast that I never think to stop them and just live. So, pause with me; let us ponder the concept of a withering—or rising—flame.

One trudges through a rocky tunnel, darkness spiraling ahead for miles and miles without end. Moisture clings to the air and echoing whispers tell them they're not alone. In their pocket sits a matchbox, nearly empty. They fumble with the singular stick but manage to strike it against the rough edge of the box. Flicker. Nothing. Empty sounds of air grow near, so they try again. Flicker. Almost. It's closer than ever, a breath lounging on their neck. Flicker. Something. Flicker. It sparks. Flicker. Flicker. Flicker. And finally, a flame crackles weakly yet persistently. They were right, they realize; they aren't alone.

Join this issue's contributors as they fight through faded memories and rekindle their candle's flame. Lauren Tsai sets forth that a spark "lives within each of us." "My Fire ignites...My Fire is Bright," declares Clover, reciting a patriotic mantra. "The light felt strangely comforting–almost inviting," tells Catherine Zhu in discovering a glowing door to another life. Chloe Sioeng crafts an ode to "all who search for their own power." A flicker can cause one to lose their viewpoint; a flicker can stimulate newfound potential.

Take the step, explore uncharted land, pioneer a movement—light the match. Embrace the flickering flames; once you're done, report back to us.