Decency and respect are two qualities that seem to be, once again, under fire on this little blue ball in the suburbs of the universe. Tolerance has yielded ground to intolerance. Differences are too often regarded with suspicion, largely based on ignorance, fear, and/or ingrained prejudice.
 
In the quivering uncertainties of this changing world—ravaged by climate change, brutal political/religious conflicts, and growing gaps and resentments between haves and have-nots—the arts are of vital importance. They allow us to peer into the lives of others, to ponder and absorb what we learn—and, as a result, to grow.
 
A magazine of the arts, Persimmon Tree publishes prose, poetry, and visual art from women of many backgrounds, life experiences, and opinions—as long as these submissions are well-rendered, thought-provoking, and comport to our standards of respect and decency. The Persimmon Tree Forum is the only section of our magazine centered on social and political questions—from our readers’ differing perspectives. A forum is, after all, an arena for debate and discussion.
 
In the past year, we have received one angry “unsubscribe” letter from a woman convinced that we support one side of a rending political/ethnic conflict, and another from a subscriber convinced we support the other side of that same conflict. Persimmon Tree supports freedom of expression.
 
I hope that, during the three months this issue is featured on our website, you will return again and again to explore the rich trove of prose, poetry, art, and music it contains.
 
I leave you with a quote from poet, essayist, and feminist and fervent peace activist Barbara Deming (1917-1984): 

 
Peggy Wagner
Editor-in-Chief