Interregnum: Poetic Reflections

Interregnum is a poetic reflection born of pause. During the long shadow of the 2020 pandemic, Carol Fortino found herself in a space between illness and recovery, silence and clarity, disconnection and renewed vision. That interruption in daily life opened the door to forgotten notebooks, unfinished thoughts, and quiet questions about health, purpose, and the state of our democracy. What followed was not a structured return, but a slow unfolding. Fortino wrote through fatigue, drawing strength from the wisdom of Kierkegaard and the wit of Oscar Wilde. She stitched together her voice with those of friends and fellow poets, creating a tender and courageous anthology filled with loss, humor, resilience, and hope. This collection is a testament to what can grow during life’s uncertain seasons. It invites readers to listen inward, reach outward, and honor the creative spark that survives even in stillness.