It is my privilege to introduce Laird Barron as editor for Melic XIII. A fine poet in his own right, he has worked as Assistant Editor for Poetry for the last two issues, earning his spurs, so to speak, in helping me search for pearls among the dreck. It is my hope that he shall continue as Assistant Editor for Poetry for as long as he likes. I have nicknamed him "Cerberus" because he guards the gates of publication with similar ferocity. And now I turn the issue over to Laird, who made all the selections save fiction, where Val Cihylik holds sway.

C.E. Chaffin

Editor, The Melic Review