Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies

Editor’s Note

As I write this, it is mid-November in Gori, Georgia, and many of the rose bushes in my garden still have buds and blooms. I don’t know whether to worry that global warming has come to the South Caucasus or to enjoy the extended beauty of my garden. Whichever it is, welcome to the final issue of the Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies for 2025.

Professor Edward Raupp’s article merges two facets of his life: his service as a Colonel in the United States Army Retired, and his love of poetry. Survivorship Bias in World War I Poetry reminds us that the dominant viewpoint, whether in historical or literary accounts, may not be objective, often suppressing the experiences and perspectives of those who did not win or survive. 

We welcome a new voice in our Translation section, Mariam Bekauri. She has translated Four Wishes, a work by one of Georgia’s most famous educators, Iakob Gogebashvili, considered the founder of the scientific pedagogy of the Georgian language. It is not a surprise that his narrative prose ends with a “teaching moment.” However, it was a surprise to find this quotation from a man who lived from 1840-1912: “The new Georgia, the goal of our patriot’s efforts and aspirations, must not be driven backward toward Asia, but forward toward Europe.” More than a century ago, he warned against the policies of what he called “Russification.”

 Eter Churadze has given us another poem by Ana Kalandadze, one of the most influential Georgian women poets of the 20^th century. The original of this untitled poem was written in an old Georgian style, so Eter has translated it using archaic English forms. It is one of the poet’s most significant works, as it pays homage to David the Builder, the King who reigned during “the Golden Age of Georgia.”

We are pleased to share another short story by Tedo Sharadenidze, The Whole of All Your Shattered Pieces. This particular tale illustrates one of Tedo’s motivations for writing: “to turn simple, day-to-day occurrences into something magical, something that would inspire others to put pen to paper.”

We welcome two new Nigerian voices to our Poetry section. In origin of nouns, Adegoke Adeola laments the prevalence of violence that permeates his country: “Death is a fictional character, We are the ingredients of war, tasteless broth for a mass funeral.”

In African Echoes of Eden, Quareeb Alabi writes “from memories etched in the soil of Africa, where stories of survival, faith, and freedom bloom. This trio of poems is a tribute to the invisible strength that carries the continent forward.”

Our final poem is from Elnaz Shahnavazi, a welcome returning contributor from Iran. In Dear Sea, the poet writes a letter to the sea, a conversation with a witness, full of questions, regrets, and a glimpse of hope, in which the sea also becomes the speaker's own self, a voice from the unconscious.

As always, I offer my sincere thanks to all our contributors; their creative efforts enrich our lives.

Warm regards,
Danna Raupp
Editor-in-Chief