This post was written by Isaac Hylton, MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts student, in honor of the 60th anniversary of Welter, a literary journal for creative works of fiction, poetry, memoir, essay and visual art. It is entirely run by UBalt students.
Welter’s first publication was in 1965. Me, Lyndon B. Johnson, MLK, and Rosa Parks signed the Voting Rights Act around that time. Alright so maybe I wasn’t there, but at least Welter was.
Reading Welter’s past publications, some with unnamed pieces and some with unknown authors, it was
quite interesting. It made me want to write better. Sixty years have gone by, and
it was up to the good nature of a few to make the effort to reflect and conjure up
the sentiment of appreciation. It wasn’t easy for me. But below I have written the
thoughts that made it easier for me.
These 60 years took courage from those who were bold enough to live unapologetically
in the time that was loaned to them. Whether 1965 or later editions, I had an expectation
that I would find the best of what was to be offered. I wanted words and phrases and
themes unique to Baltimore, the truth and the 411 on what mattered in those years
before mine. I wanted to gauge the essence of the past publications. I think I did,
but like most things, it only made me want to write better.
I am thankful that I was a part of this publication as a fiction editor. It was nice that I got to read and judge other people’s writing, and I actually found pieces that I liked.
It’s 2025 now and I’m 25, and to be honest, right now I’m all that matters—a mindset
that ought to adopted if you want to have a bit of peace in your day.
In this age, when information, and access and a good time is at my fingertips and
at my disposal, the only thing of value is what I filter out, not what comes to me.
To be honest, everything comes to me, all of the time. This is an age of kings and
gods, lazy, self-gratifying and self-righteous, fickle and arrogant and dull. I was
one of them, I learned all about it, made a few disciples, and yes, it’s tempting
to go back. But no.
If you care about this age then I’ll give you this prayer request. We need scribes
desperately. We need the archives, and we need a few who know how to reflect on and
navigate those archives.
To be a part of the anniversary edition of Welter was nice. I have a growing appreciation for those who are able to hold the moment,
reflect and honor tradition.
I am thankful that I was a part of this publication as a fiction editor. It was nice that I got to read and judge other people’s writing, and I actually found pieces that I liked, not more than my own writing because that would be heretical, but I found some pieces that were “now” pieces.
I don’t want to go into it too much, but the beauty of a proverb is not just about its wisdom, but it’s about the time and the moment wherein its wisdom is applied. I want to write proverbs now. Things that are timely and effective for the moment that it is read. A proverb creates its own context in the life of the reader, and the wisdom of a proverb lives in every era. I hope that whoever reads this publication finds a proverb or two. Something that holds time, defies time, and gives you the opportunity to rest in the world/context that it creates. Like theater, like a blockbuster, like a poem, like high fantasy, or a fortune cookie message, I hope the simple fact that this is the 60th Anniversary edition of Welter creates its own proverbial context. A journal full of now pieces, attempting to live and be applied forever.
Learn more about Welter and read the newest issue, released spring 2025.