Issue 37 (Winter 2026)

Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

What does movement mean to you? Is it political, physical, playful?

Heavily inspired by dance as a form of movement—the fluidity of a singular step, or extension of an arm—for me movement is the ultimate act of expression. It is a narrative embodiment of passion and raw emotion, it is to be delighted, disgusted, to change, shift, and vacillate. Interwoven into every aspect of our lives, we exist within the confines of these micro- and macrocosms.

With this issue, I wanted to explore how we can use writing and art to displace ourselves, transcending realities, past, present and future, to reimagine our scales of perception. I wanted to see how we persist through everyday life, through beauty and tragedy, what inspires us, and who inspires us—Ray Bradbury, Sara Teasdale, W.B. Yeats?

How does movement define us, and how shall we move forward in unprecedented times?

In this quarter of The Catalyst, we began with a “Poem a Day” writing exercise, and I was struck by the extraordinary range of voices that emerged across one week. In each poem, I glimpsed a reflection of its writer—what compels them, what unsettles them, and what they may be reaching towards. Whether through explorations of media and composition, immersive world-building, or sharp critiques of our government, each work carried something singular and alive.

Among the most innovative contributions were the “Burining Haibuns,” where we experimented with redaction, blackout poetry, and fractured prose. These pieces can remind us that absence is its own language—that what is understated can sometimes be more powerful or moving than what is explicit.

But movement is not always serious, it can be apolitical, intuitive, and melodic. With every dot above an “i,” every cross through a “t,” every explamation point yelling at the reader, “LISTEN TO ME,” writing captures is its own musical rhythm as it moves across the page. Within these stories, we can have fun, we can experiment, and we can speak with conviction.

From The Catalyst, I have learned we must lead with conviction: If we are to do anything in life, it is to move, or to be moved.

There is no limit on speech or expression, and I ask of you, reader: do not settle.

Natalie Riley
Editor in Chief

Prose

Poetry

The Team