Mere chance was the cause of there being two contributions in this issue that relate to solitude — one, a poem by Bet Briggs, the other, a piece rushed in at the last moment by Fizzgig. There’s even a mention of loneliness in our Web Line column, and in Diane Dees’ short story.

As I recall, the only other occasion that such a confluence of related topics occurred — that time fiendishly deliberate — was gargantuan Issue 10, November 1998. If that doesn’t mean anything to newer subscribers, take a look at it at our Web site.

So, where do you stand on “serene aloneness” yourself?

I should imagine that Bikwilians, being avid readers, keen music lovers and perceptive thinkers, might well exhibit solitudinarian tendencies. After all, the social whirl does have its limitations.

As John Barrymore once said (and I trust he wasn’t being misogamic),

In Genesis it says that it is not good for a man to be alone, but sometimes it is a great relief.

Oh, oh, I can feel a suggestion coming on.