Dear Reader,

Like Adam reaching for God in that one painting, we emerge from our summary tomb to bring you an is- sue pontificating on the theme Deus Ex-Machina for the first issue of the Grail’s Volume XX! And also to boop you on the nose (that’s what Adam’s trying to do there, right?).

We have poetry from Juniper White, who tells us all about a wild night on I-5 (9). We have a story from Not Dylan, who imagines a world where all of humanity is unified to mixed results (7). We have submissions from Henry McDonald, whose photos, including this issue’s cover, depict the divinity within machinery. We also have poetry from steadfast Grail staffer Adrian Keller Feld that serves as an ode to a beloved Honda, Janet, and theorizes a...less charitable perspective for other motor vehicles (1).

Our next issue will be on the theme of All Saints Day, so hark our haunted church bells and cozy up in your coffins to write something spooky and/or sacred! Until then, check out our website at reedthegrail.org to absorb our past issues. Farewell for now, and may the saints of art bless you with the ability to actually eke out something that isn’t schoolwork.

XOXO,
Robert Bourbon,
Care Paden,
Inez Gallant,
Adrian Keller Feld (on behalf of Janet),
Maxine Bresnan,
Ezra Scheuermann,
Maggie Feinberg,
& Posters by Tianyi ‘Emma’ Fan