writes poetry and short stories that reflect his interests and observations of the world. In addition to literature, Morningstar loves music, playing guitar, late-night diner experiences, and long road trips. His first book, American Fries: Poems and Stories, was published in July 2020 by Alien Buddha Press. He lives in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, with his wife and children. Jennifer Nichols is an educator in the Saginaw Public School District. She believes in teachers, students, and lifelong learning. She loves growing as a writer through practice with friends, especially the Wandering Writers and the Saginaw Bay Writing Project Feedback and Revision Group. Although her interests change regularly, she currently reads about dragons, practices gardening, and experiments in the kitchen. Jennifer especially enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and their furry friend Jyn. Jennifer’s sister, Alisa, and Lake Huron were the inspiration for her piece included in this issue. The Modern Library book of poetry became a sort of Bible to Eric P. Nisula when he was in grade school. He also began writing poetry at that time. In 1979, he joined the Saginaw Valley State University Music Department. In 1983, Dr. Nisula won first prize in the competition held by Poets of Now in St. Charles, Michigan. In 2004, his work was featured in The Rooftop Series published by Mayapple Press. Jaden O’Berry is a third-year theatre major with a double minor in English and creative writing at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). Her hope is to one day pursue a career in theatrical lighting design. Jaden’s love for the English language and performing arts stems heavily from the influence of William Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Brontë on her life and her upbringing. Jaden has dabbled in playwriting as well, and her one-act work titled A Not-So-Hallmark Type of Christmas was chosen to be performed in the SVSU Theatre Department’s 2020 virtual holiday variety show, Home for the Holidays. Jolyn H. Ohlendorf is a local art teacher and 2017 Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) alumna. While studying at SVSU, she took advantage of the university’s Study Abroad services twice, travelling first to Ireland and then to New Zealand, where she completed her student teaching. Though infected with the travel bug, she remains loyal to her hometown—and continues to advocate for the charm and merits—of Saginaw, Michigan. She appreciates the opportunities provided by the Saginaw Community Writing Center and hopes for even more chances to bring attention to the beauty that surrounds her. Michelle Perreault is a 53-year-old mother of three and a whole food/plant-based chef who likes hiking and camping. She has a passion for poetry and has been writing poetry since she was in fifth grade. She has a hope that what she writes will help people look at the world through a different lens. Serena M. Pittman is an active member of the Saginaw Community Writing Center. She says, “The Creative Writing Group is my spin class and my quilting circle, where I go to exercise my mind and weave the remnants of characters and ideas I’ve got knocking about in my head into stories. I currently write around one poem a year. ‘Heartsong 2020’ was my contribution to the Saginaw Postcard writing challenge and was inspired by a little bird singing his heart out into a cold dark night.” Still Life 2020
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