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Fate and a Fulbright grant allowed my world to collide with that of this collection’s author. Jo and I met through a friend of a friend while I was teaching English in a remote city on the island of Borneo. We became fast friends, and I was honored when she asked me if I would edit her poetry. When she told me about her goal to write 100 poems in her second language in the span of only a few months, I was blown away. As the poems steadily arrived in my inbox for revision, I had an opportunity to see the fruit of so much personal reflection I have come to associate with Jo. I found her candor, hope, heartbreak, love, and longing to be tangible when we spoke in person about everything and nothing. Reading her poetry, I had the pleasure of exploring those same emotions further through her writing. The basic, innate human cravings for love, acknowledgement, friendship, and communion are highlighted in Jo’s collection of poems, Sweet & Bitter Memory. In this compilation of thoughts, reflections, and dreams, we simultaneously explore Jo’s experience with and projections of love. She bares her wounds, unanswered questions, and disappointments on one page, while exposing her innocence, idealism, and deep belief in the power of romance on the next. These poems account, for the good, the bad, and the transcendental moments in love and relationships. Her work leaves us wondering where the true nature of love lies or if there is really such a thing. I am moved by the universality of love and the catholic yearning for connection and relationship. One of the most powerful aspects of this compilation of poetry is its potential reach. Publishing the book in English opens doors for Jo and her writing, as well as providing audiences around the world with the ability to examine the heart of a young Indonesian woman through her poetry. What we learn from Jo is a lesson not soon forgotten. Her hopes, dreams, and disappointments are unique yet deeply rooted in the human experience. As readers, we can tap into this duality and acknowledge the interconnection of people from seemingly disparate backgrounds. It has been a pleasure editing these poems and working with Jo to produce a literary work that can have a real impact on real lives. I look forward to seeing what is next professionally and personally for our author. I have a feeling there will be many more wonderful literary works in our future. Enjoy the wonderful opportunity this book presents – getting to know an ambitious, sweet, intelligent, humble human being.
