There is a Chinese saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I wonder if the opposite isn’t equally true: “A word is worth a thousand pictures.” Think on that for a moment: one word can stir memory traces of past experiences and flood you with vivid images, whether good or bad. We mostly prefer the former and eschew the latter (This is a perfect opportunity to play with a word. I said “eschew” and your natural response if you’ve been paying attention is, “Gesundheit!”) (Sorry…! I just can’t help myself!)

We carry a treasure trove of incredible imagery within us wherever we go and whatever we do. They’ve built up over our lifetimes, and in part inform our current character. There are some elements we don’t share for any embarrassment they might cause, or regret they might expose. Some are gems very personal and intimate, too precious to open to others. Still others touch the source of beauty within us and call to be given away in order that they not wither and die. If you’re anything like me the lid to all these images is rather loosely fit, and it takes very little for Pandora to open the lid.

Playing with words, as with puns, is to give your self over to the inner world of inspiration and wonder. It is the realm of dreams and the source of all creativity and valor. It is that place I know some of you go to when you think no one is watching. It is a place in your youth perhaps that some adults referred to as “daydreaming” and you maybe were chastised for “going there.” But if you still have this familiar inner realm to go to, then know that it has always been for you a rewarding and rich broaching of the boundaries of time where time stands still. Puns are one way of opening the lid of that box again and again.

My grandchildren contributed to the artwork for this volume as they have with previous collections. I appreciate their support both in their creativity and willingness to add their artwork – and their laughter with some of the better puns.

~ Gordon H. Nagai ~ Eugene, OR   Winter 2014