'Reading poems for the current issue of Teesta Review has been a challenge for me. As a reader you walk into a poem and can never imagine how far you can travel with it. A poem must vibrate, resonate and if need be, embrace.  The theme of this issue is the “Muse” and I strongly believe that no poet survives without a muse. Which is why it is not so surprising that many responded to the call of muse. She/ He could be anyone – your inspiration, mother, lover, sister, friend, teacher, soul mate. I thought muse would open many doors and unlock the quiet corners of the heart.  We had a good number of poems to choose from. Each of the poems in this issue splits open as a curious site of representation.  They speak, weep, move and smile with a rhythm and win our hearts with their distinct touch – a touch of kindness.' (Editorial introduction)