Vultures & Doves: Social Issues of Our Time

Valiant Scribe Literary Journal 

Issue 2 | Winter 2021

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Vultures & Doves: Social Issues of Our Time

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INTRODUCTION

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"Vultures and Doves: Social Issues of Our Time," the theme of Valiant Scribe's first poetry competition in 2021, is now reprised as

the title of this current issue of the Journal.

The poetry featured in this issue draws from the poetry shortlisted from entries received for the website and from the aforementioned

poetry competition. Unlike the first issue of the Journal, it features only poetry and a written interview of the first-place winner of the

poetry competition.

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This collection features notable writers, wise in craft, and strong of heart. It features touching poems that pull at the heartstrings and move hands and feet to action. It is a synergy of pain, love, hope, and wisdom.

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While every poem in this issue carries its weight in gold, it would be a disservice not to note the poetry competition's winning authors and honorable mentions. The judges, Des Mannay, Jaime Grookett, and Debra Ayis, were highly touched by Praise Osawaru, Melanie Hyo-In Han, and Paula Pivko's poems, placing first, second, and third, respectively. Entries by Matthew J. Andrews, Phyllis Wax, Charles Rammelkamp, Sandra S. Newton, and Danielle Resh were exceptionally moving and are listed as honorable mentions.

The collection of poetry explores the theme of vultures and doves from the contexts of war and peace, and despair and hope in a world filled with conflict, poverty, natural disasters, human rights violations, and other ills.

This issue presents poetry that encourages deep reflection on the condition of our world and evokes thoughts of hope, telling us there

is a light at the end of the tunnel.