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Ral Joseph's avatar

IF WE LOST EVERYTHING, WHAT WOULD REMAIN?

As I sit with this issue now that it’s out in the world, I keep returning to one quiet realization: Nothing here was invented. Everything in ROOTBOUND was remembered.

To the 30 contributors who trusted their memories, their inheritances, their languages, their silences, thank you. You didn’t just write pieces, you carried something forward. You named things that don’t usually get named, yet somehow shape everything. And to every Orbiter reading this slowly, recognizing fragments of your own life inside these pages, that is the point.

This issue was never meant to impress.

It was meant to return you to something.

Thank you for being here with us.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Ral, another incredible collection!

Waving From A Distance's avatar

Extraordinary, as always, Ral. Congratulations, and I hope you feeling up to snuff these days!

Andrew Robert Colom's avatar

wonderful collection!

Dr. Carrie Nelson's avatar

You’re a special soul, Ral. Thank you for this stunning collection.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

I love this collection Ral! I have to shoutout Violet Kay’s poem, so good!

Ral Joseph's avatar

Chris, I am absolutely ecstatic to have you as part of this issue and the publication! It’s people like you and Violet Kay who make this community so incredibly special. Seeing your name in the contributor list brings me so much joy, thank you for being such a vital part of what we’re building here!

Ral Joseph's avatar

I’m so glad you enjoyed the collection! ROOTBOUND felt like an issue we really needed, a chance to explore our foundations and what keeps us steady and I’m so proud to have had you contribute to that energy. I'd love to see you in the next issue as well; feel free to check the footnote for the details on the next theme.

Violet Kay's avatar

Thank you so much Chris!

Cliff Lake's avatar

Thank you for including my piece in this issue.

Ral Joseph's avatar

Hello Cliff 🌼

Ral Joseph's avatar

Cliff, it gives me joy to have you as a part of this issue and the publication! Your voice brings something so unique and special to our collective space. We are truly lucky to have you in the mix, thank you for trusting us with your work

Waving From A Distance's avatar

Point / Counterpoint ... Fabulous idea for the next zine.

Thank you Ral for being open to publishing our work.

So many exceptional pieces in this issue!

Ral Joseph's avatar

We're just getting started. I'll have to share and reshare each person's piece individually. The world needs to see us 🌼

Ral Joseph's avatar

I’m so glad the theme resonated!

ROOTBOUND is my favourite issue yet, and I am so happy and proud to have had you contribute to its success. I'm already looking forward to seeing how you tackle the next one! Please check the footnote for the details on the next issue so we can get started.

Getting started on spreading the word 💃🏿💃🏿

B Philippe's avatar

An incredible collection, thank you Ral!

Ral Joseph's avatar

Hello Philippe 🌼

Ral Joseph's avatar

I'm thrilled you enjoyed it! ROOTBOUND was an issue we really needed to ground ourselves, and I’m so proud and happy to have had you contribute to the collection. I would love to see you in the next one as well, feel free to check the footnote for the details on the upcoming theme!

And please consider joining us fully. There's so much more community in the archives of our previous issues and more coming.

Charles Bastille's avatar

You really put a lot of work into this. Thanks for that, for all the great writers I haven't seen before.

Ral Joseph's avatar

Charles, I am so so happy to have you join us for this issue! You are such a special addition to the publication, and I’m so happy you’re here. This is truly just the tip of the iceberg there is a whole world of incredible work in our previous issues that I know you’ll love. Welcome to the family!

Ral Joseph's avatar

Also, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the writers here! ROOTBOUND was an issue we really needed to create, and I’m so proud to have this be your introduction to the publication. There is so much more to explore in our archives, and I’d love to have you involved in our next issue! Please check the footnote for the details on how to join the next one.

Please be a part of the amazing works going on here weekly.

Charles Bastille's avatar

I’d love to, thanks. Maybe I’ll even try some real poetry, but I don’t expect to meet the standards of this group!

Liam Randall's avatar

Give it a shot

Ral Joseph's avatar

Standards?..... We don't have standards. Were merely simple people who are creating value and seeing each other for what we are.

Hosting weekly issues that challenges society and creates real time impact.

Caring more for the community than the algorithm wants us to sell ourselves.

Remembering what make us, making what is us and being proud of that.

Promoting equality, inclusivity and culture

These are not standards, these are us being humans and doing what has been long lost.

Like @Liam Randall said: Give it a shot! 🌝

Paul J Doty's avatar

Shootings…

three days and three nights the lights will glow

chilling tales of murder and mayhem

plastered across the television screen

look away…look away is the quiet scream

my mind hears but refuses to obey

A killer’s rampage makes no sense

random and wanton with furious rage

inflicting pain and suffering and death

we watch in horror and hold our breath

this could be our town a local school

was there a warning…who had a clue

a twist of fate or an irrational decision

or a planned attack to destroy opposition

this is not a case of the ugly voyuers

craning their necks towards blood and gore

but a need to know and somehow prevent

a tragedy like this from ever happening again

parents and family most of all friends

heed the signs and be truly aware

when behavior is strange or even bizarre

it's a cry for help and we must respond

for those who suffered and lost their lives

and others injured and damaged for life

we offer our thoughts and prayers tonight

signified by the porch light burning bright

three days and three nights the lights will glow

a sign of our sympathy and deep deep sorrow

pjd

Paul J Doty's avatar

Thank you for including my poem, "Ask why..." It is one of my earlier works and holds special meaning for me...how do I contribute another piece?

Ral Joseph's avatar

Paul, welcome to the village! I am absolutely happy to have you and 'Ask why...' be a part of this issue. It is such a special, meaningful piece, and having you in the publication truly elevates it. We’d love for you to officially join our community here, if you ever feel like supporting our growth, upgrading your subscription is a cool way to get even closer to the magic!

Ral Joseph's avatar

I’m so proud to have featured your work; ROOTBOUND is all about exploring the stories that ground us, and your work captured that essence perfectly. We definitely needed your voice in this collection! To contribute again, I’d love for you to join us for the next issue, just check the footnote of this post for the upcoming details.

See you 🌼

Vision2Verse's avatar

Another stunning body of work Ral ✍️🏾

Ral Joseph's avatar

So happy V. 💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿

Ral Joseph's avatar

Always proud and pleased to see you my friend

Vision2Verse's avatar

I always around ✍️🏾✍️🏾✍️🏾

Sue Banerji's avatar

To each and every contributor to Ral's yet another successful, hardworking showcase, I am humbled to be among you.

I will savor each piece and comment ...but for now I send you love and light.

And to dearest Ral, you have an amazing spirit to bring people together. I hope you thrive.....w much mucho love. Me.

Ral Joseph's avatar

Sue, seeing your name always makes my heart soar! I am beyond ecstatic to have you as a part of this issue and the entire publication family. You are such a special soul, and your presence adds a layer of grace to this showcase that is truly unmatched. Thank you for being you!

Sue Banerji's avatar

Every time I see your love, thematic moves...I bless you w all my heart. Thank you for your love for this community, Ral!

Ral Joseph's avatar

Now I'm crying

Sue Banerji's avatar

Mutual admiration and tears do wonderful things for us, Ral. Now it's my turn!

Ral Joseph's avatar

I’m so happy we brought ROOTBOUND to life; we needed this issue to explore those deep, grounded parts of ourselves, and I’m so proud to have had your voice as part of that journey. It means the world to me that you contributed. I’d love to have you in the next one, do check the footnote for the details on the upcoming theme!

Everything is Gray's avatar

Thank you so much for this! I can't wait to get it printed and read it all and feel even more honored to be among these other amazing writers!

Ral Joseph's avatar

That's so beautiful and I'm happy to have you always. Seeing you so excited to have this in print form just proves how special you are to this community. Your work belongs among these amazing writers, and I’m honored to have your voice in our pages. Do you need me to get you the print form of it. It's already printed and ready to ship? Nevertheless, let me know how you want to go about it.

Ral Joseph's avatar

Have so much fun this week 💃🏿

I’d love to have you back for the next one make sure to check the footnote for the details on the upcoming issue.

Everything is Gray's avatar

I checked it out! Wow, that's going to be a good one. I am definitely going to sit with it and see if I feel there is something I can contribute.

Ral Joseph's avatar

Sure honey 🌝

Miles Hack's avatar

Many great memories of passion rooted in ideas and conviction! Will be digesting on these ones for a while! Great job everyone 😁💯🤙

Ral Joseph's avatar

Hello Miles,,,, 🌼🌼

Ral Joseph's avatar

I'm still waiting on that mail.

I love that you’re sitting with these pieces! ROOTBOUND is an issue we really needed; it’s all about those deep convictions and memories that keep us grounded, and I’m so proud and happy to have had you contribute to that spirit. I’d love to have you back for the next round, check the footnote for the details on the next issue.

V S Uma's avatar

Congratulations 🥳 Ral for this new edition 👌🏽😍💐 👏🤝🤝

Congratulations to all the writers who have posted their valuable contributions to this edition 👏👏🤝🤝🤝

☮️💜☮️💜💜to all

Ral Joseph's avatar

Hello V 🌼

Ral Joseph's avatar

All the best and thanks for showing up here.

V S Uma's avatar

Always Ral 💕

Saira Anwar's avatar

Wow. Incredible. Amazing Ral. Congratulations to all. Masterpiece 🔥❤️

Ral Joseph's avatar

Beautiful Saira ♥️

Saira Anwar's avatar

My pleasure star. ❤️🥰

Ral Joseph's avatar

I feel so elated to see you here. Please tell me you're having fun because I've been stuck on a laptop all day. How are you doing today? 🌼

Gary Coulton's avatar

Getting better after ten days ill.

Saira Anwar's avatar

My pleasure! I'm okay. How are you? I am

AsukaHotaru's avatar

I came out of this issue wanting to call my grandma, make tea, and bother someone I love about old family stories.

Sue Banerji's avatar

Asuka, reading this message warmed my heart.

this is what Ral is striving to do♥️♥️

Violet Kay's avatar

Ral! This is so beautifully put together. It’s so lovely to be in among such amazing contributions. ❤️

Andrew Robert Colom's avatar

I loved writing my piece. Thanks so much for the inspiration. The issue looks amazing and I look forward to reading all the other contributors!