Four issues seems enough to be able to generalize about what obsesses Northwest poets. "Well, I think Northwest poets tend to write lyrical poetry, in organic form, with images drawn from nature or experience. Certainly, many local poets don't fit that prescription, though."

Any themes that crop up regularly? "The usual heavies of love, sex, and death; the joys and trials of relationships, children and parents, work; and many poems that are informed with a strange fascination for food, drugs and alcohol, or certain medical procedures. We love to read and publish poets who are in love with language; who have an ear for rhythm, musicality, and meaning; who have a sense of humor, balanced by an appreciation of the sublime."

Do you adhere to any sort of belief in a regional poetics? "No. No comment. Nada. Not gonna go there."

Why did you decide to start a poetry magazine and small press that cater to regional interests? "We saw a dearth of publishing opportunities for local poets, and began by hosting a chapbook competition in 1995. We were so impressed by the high quality of the writing we received, and frustrated that we could only produce one or two chapbooks a year, that we decided to produce an anthology, comprised of the best poems from the manuscripts submitted to the chapbook competition. Pontoon was born, and it has turned out to be a well-received annual, thus far."

How have you been able to--and I run into what I suddenly realize may be an intentional pun on your part here--stay afloat? "We run a lean operation, with all the editorial and production staff [Jeff Crandall, T. Clear, Ted McMahon] being volunteers. Many of our chapbooks have sold out, and the Pontoon anthologies are available across the state, so sales definitely help keep us going. In addition, we are fortunate to have been awarded grants over the years.... And most important, we seem to have been embraced by the local poetry community."