[Roger Slater]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I never met John or had much interaction with him, but he's the editor who has published me the most (by far) and I've always found at least a few worthwhile poems in every issue he's put out. I imagine it's very doubtful now that the magazine will survive, given that they have apparently run out of funds to take them past July, but I'm still hoping a donor will appear to save the day and that someone (perhaps Lisa M) will take over and keep it going.

The last time I heard from John was in early January, when he wrote to ask permission to publish a letter I sent him objecting to the review of Julie Kane's book they had published. It was a pretty harsh letter, since I felt the review was extremely unfair and misguided, so it is to John's credit that he said it was a "fine letter" and he wanted to print it. (For reasons I explained to him, I asked him not to).

[Orwn Acra]

I didn't know John Mella at all, but when I was in highschool my goal was to get a poem published in Light. I finally have, and it will be out in the next issue. I'm glad I managed it just in time. Even though I thought the magazine was sometimes a bit too old-fashioned, I appreciate Mella's dedication.

I hope Light continues.

[Ed Shacklee]

I'm in pretty much the same boat as Walter, except it was more of a daydream than a goal to have a poem in Light: I thought it would be even grander than it was unlikely, and when I actually did get an acceptance for the next issue, I felt as if I'd been handed floppy shoes, face paint and given a gilt-edged invitation to clown school. I didn't know John Mella except through his magazine, but I got a sense of the man from reading it, and I love that magazine. A sad day, but a bright legacy.

Ed

[Edmund Conti]

I'm sitting here looking at my pile of Lights, dating from 1992. The initial 8 x 11 issues, then the smaller ones and finally the smallest. John must have published about 200 of my poems, so I'm eternally grateful for that. I met him when he visited the Bards Buffet, our group of light versifiers who met regularly in NYC. (Roger, a more recent member missed him.) Over the years, most of us in the Bards Buffet were featured poets in Light. (I know Tim was but not sure if other Sphereans were also.) I'm going to quit here lest I get overwhelmed by my (and our) loss.

[Edmund Conti]

Ah, they all come back to me now. Featured poets from Light that you may know. If I missed any please add your name.

Max Gutmann
Richard Wakefield
Jim Hayes
Mike Juster
R.S. Gwynn
Alan Sullivan
Gail White
A. E. Stallings
X. J. Kennedy

[Ed Shacklee]

John Whitworth, too.

[W.F. Lantry]

I never met him, and never had anything in LIGHT, but I'm still sad at his passing. Seems like the end of an era. And now we're hearing that Diane di Prima is also ill. And all this coming hard on the heels of yet another death. I'm sorry for the family's loss, but also for ours.

Best,

Bill

[Norman Ball]

John Mella will be missed. A crucial light goes out indeed when every bulb is needed. Yes, I hope Light continues. It would be a fine, bright legacy for Mr. Mella.

[Susan d.S.]

Light Quarterly is a rare venue, and I hope it does continue. I placed one of my first poems ("Anacreontic") there and it wasn't even all that light, looking back. The journal shows a nice catholicity of taste, many shades of light, that I think must be his imprint.

[Esther Murer]

The poem he took of mine was my first to be published in a literary venue.