A bittersweet moment for us as we say goodbye and thank original Co-Editor Ryn Holmes as she completes her Panoply journey. Here’s a note from Co-Editor Andrea Walker, one of her best friends. 

Thanks, Ryn

A native Californian from Los Angeles and former resident of San Francisco, award-winning photographer, wife and mom, Ryn Holmes’ profession as a psychiatric nurse eventually brought her to Pensacola.

Here she joined the Emerald Coast Writers (formerly West Florida Literary Federation) where I met her at one of our monthly open mics. We became friends, attended open mics regularly and discovered Jeff at a great little place called Sluggos. Realizing he’s a fine poet, we invited him to our meetings at ECW. We’ve been writing pals for awhile within our local community of writers and poets, and my awareness of their talent and skill grew.

So eight years ago when Ryn invited me to join her and Jeff as a co-editor of a new ezine Jeff was dreaming up, I was delighted. We brainstormed and tossed around ideas and names. Soon Panoply was born. If you’ve never experienced it, co-editing together gives you unexpected insights into personalities you thought you knew. We all have strong opinions and don’t always agree, but coming to consensus is an accomplishment, and the process is fun.

The poet Ryn writes of people with intuition and places with flair, the surprising metaphor or analogy. In sophisticated, yet accessible, language, she boldly expresses controversial issues with concrete imagery. Her intellect, appreciation of fine arts, diligence in getting the job done are a few of her characteristics I admire. I happen to know she just released an anthology, “The Edge of Light and Darkness.” Before she retired several years ago, she picked up photography again, turning some of her work into the unique abstract style which you have enjoyed on Panoply at the beginning of each issue. She continues to create, is an associate member of at a local art gallery, and has spent the last couple of years attending weddings of grandchildren in locations far and wide.

Ryn’s love of jazz and blues and pleasure in fine wine and great cuisine fills the time spent with her fun. I applaud her willingness to ride with the top down and not worry about her hair and her unwillingness to “dress like a grownup.” More than that, she’s a sensitive, generous soul, a conscientious, caring friend. With gratitude for her contribution to Panoply, we reluctantly say goodbye to Ryn the co-editor. We will miss her keen observations and sharp wit, but we’re thankful she’ll be around as friend and artist.

Andrea Walker

I would like to add that Ryn was an essential element of the team, from the very conception and formation through Issue 24. She named the publication; she provided a great deal of the masthead artwork, a simple but fascinating technique of manipulating photos of everyday elements. (No CGI involved!) She was always decisive, urging us to take action when we plodded and pondered. She proposed the adoption of a “Save,” which we use when any one of us finds a particular piece worthy of publication even if the others are not so enthusiastic. She served as our Secretary, particularly needed in the early days as we built our process airplane as we flew. And she was always the first to complete her reading/evaluation assignments!

She’s also a good friend and a bit of an inspiration as I contemplate the twilight of my own literary career. Blessings and thanks to you, Ryn.

Jeff