Issue 12, Fall 2025

From the Editors

Hello again, folks! We’re thrilled to launch Floodwall 2.12, the latest issue of UND’s student-run literary magazine! As the magazine’s new managing editors, we—Vern Linstrom and Jasmine Patera—are stepping into this role for the first time without our remarkable predecessor, Caitlin Scheresky. We feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from her leadership and to have witnessed the care she poured into this publication. While this transition marks a new chapter, we’ve taken up the reins with the same passion and dedication that brought us to Floodwall in the first place. Our hope is that this love and attention shines through on every page of Volume 2, Issue 12. We’ve cherished the work of putting it together this fall, and we hope you enjoy reading it just as much.

It’s hard not to feel a bit grim right now as the days grow increasingly short and (somehow) even colder. This is perhaps reflected in our collection this semester, which memorializes and laments the ending of relationships, the passing of loved ones, and the looming threat of time. You yourself may feel a bit dour as life's demands escalate. Reprieve, too, seems far off.

But what Floodwall prides itself on is creating a shelter for our community. That's what gives us life. Our cover this year—a collage of the published art and photography pieces from this issue, done by Janie Marino—reflects this. The collective efforts of each of us as creators invigorates and connects, sheltering us from the storm forming overhead. A lot of individuals work to create and develop Floodwall, and these efforts mean so much more when a thousand other things try to stop us from making art. Give our wonderful and dedicated team of student readers, section editors, copyeditors, chief copyeditors, design and layout volunteers, and proofreaders a huge round of applause; their efforts are what keep Floodwall afloat. Be sure to check out our masthead for the full list of volunteers.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to our advisors, Dr. Courtney Kersten and Dr. Patrick Henry, who patiently dealt with our many nervous questions and dilemmas as we took over the editorial duties of Floodwall.

We’d also like to extend a special thanks to our contributors, who demonstrate the perseverance of creation in times of strife and hardship. We here at Floodwall are so proud of the work you’ve done and are very thankful that you trusted us with your creative work this semester. Thank you for keeping the spirit of creation alive. And, of course, a huge thanks to you, dear reader, for your appreciation and dedication to our lovely little magazine. Your support makes it all worth it.

Download the complete PDF of volume 2, issue 12 for offline reading.