Memorializing Griefulness: Yellow Arrow Journal (Vol. IX, No. 2) kitalo
How brave you are
Confronting things you cannot control
“Temporary Homes” by Kat Flores
Kitalo, the just released issue of Yellow Arrow Journal, Vol. IX, No. 2, guest edited by Tramaine Suubi, explores the poignant intersection of grief and gratitude. While deciding on the theme of the issue, the term “kitalo” spoke to everyone on staff as it seems to have for those who submitted to Yellow Arrow Journal in August. “Kitalo” is an empathetic Luganda term of solidarity offered when someone experiences a spectrum of loss. Directly translating to “this/that is tragic” but far richer than that, the term and the pieces within kitalo represent so much that we want to say on the concept of griefulness, as individuals and as a collective.
We are honored to release the latest issue of Yellow Arrow Journal and are fortunate to share the voices within. In the issue’s introduction, Tramaine adds:
“Being the guest editor is a privilege, but the greatest gift I received in this role is true vulnerability. I grieve and give thanks alongside each of our artists here. I hope their words are lifegiving for you, just as they are for me.”
Paperback and PDF versions are now available from the Yellow Arrow bookstore. Discounts are also available (here) if you would like to purchase copies for friends and family (minimum purchase of five). You can also search for Yellow Arrow Journal on any e-book device or anywhere you purchase print and electronic books, including Amazon and most other distribution channels. Discounted bundles of our 2024 issues (ELEVATE and kitalo) are also available from our bookstore.
Tramaine Suubi (she/they) is a multilingual writer who was born in Kampala, Uganda. She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Their forthcoming debut is a full-length poetry collection titled phases, which will be published in January 2025. Their forthcoming second book is also a full-length poetry collection titled stages, which will be published in January 2026. Both books will be published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins.
The cover image (cover design by Alexa Laharty) is called Growing by Dark Rivers by Liz Jakimow. According to Liz, “There is often a lot of darkness in my photographs now. While some may find it depressing, it feels more authentic to who I am. Yet there are also often elements that draw attention to the light, symbolizing hope.” Thank you Liz for expressing the heart of kitalo through your photograph and your words.
We hope you enjoy reading kitalo as much as we enjoyed creating it. Thank you for your continued encouragement of Yellow Arrow Publishing and the creatives involved in kitalo.
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Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we AMPLIFY women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.