What are emotions?

They could be otherworldly experiences – a momentary lapse when we are transported to the deepest, darkest corners of reality.

Maybe, emotions are just signals that are no more than electric impulses in the brain. Or perhaps they are just words. Happy, sad, confused, angry...mere characters on a page.

They show up everywhere, from when we need them the most to when we least expect them. Even so, why is it so hard for us to be expressive? Why is happiness seen as shallow, or sadness seen as weak? Above all, why does society judge us for how we feel?

At Red Pocket Magazine, we wanted to celebrate emotions as a reflection of who we truly are. We
challenged writers and artists around the world to focus on emotions beyond society’s stigma.

Shame, Bitterness, Freedom, Happiness, Longing...the possibilities were endless, and we encouraged our contributors to think the same. Our goal was not to focus on a single emotion, but rather, collect bits and pieces of what it means to be human – what it means to feel.

We decided to call it the Emotionary.

What we received for exceeded our highest expectations. Each piece, whether it was poetry, short story, or digital art, perfectly captured our feelings. I was near tears after having the privilege to read what our contributors brought to the Emotionary.

First, I heard sprites playing in a secret garden, teeming with life and light. Then, I was travelling through a post-apocalyptic world, desperately trying to preserve humanity’s last traces. My journey continued with visions of drifting in disassociation, hoping for New Year’s luck, dancing passionately on a stage...and so much more.

Our ability to feel is one of our greatest gifts. I hope that as you read through Volume 5, you will discover that we, as humanity, are all interconnected through emotions.

Best Regards,

Joyce Xi (she/her)
Director of Curation
Red Pocket Magazine