WHAT IS "Reed" Magazine & What IS The Interactive Poetry Garden ?
- JC Poet
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
First let us answer the question:
Why is the magazine called REED?
At first glance, a reed is just a simple plant, growing quietly by the water. But don’t be fooled—its power lies in its flexibility, resilience, and the life it nurtures. That’s exactly the spirit behind REED Magazine.
In Taoist philosophy, there’s a saying: “The green reed which bends in the wind is unbreakable in a storm.” Reeds survive by bending without breaking—a perfect metaphor for the people, stories, and ideas we celebrate: resilient, adaptable, and full of quiet strength.
Across cultures, reeds carry profound meaning. In Hinduism, reed grass symbolizes the womb, a sacred space of growth and transformation. Tibetan Buddhists honor the reed in the Gyaling, a wind instrument whose haunting melodies are said to echo the divine. Ancient myths often place reeds in magical landscapes, linking them to wisdom, change, and new beginnings.
And then there’s music. Reeds make instruments sing when the wind passes through them, a fitting image for a magazine devoted to amplifying voices. Like a reed, REED is flexible, strong, and versatile—used to craft stories, spark creativity, and fuel imagination.
What is REED Magazine?
The name is a playful nod: REED = READ. Just as reading opens doors to new worlds, REED Magazine is a space to share voices, explore ideas, and spark the imagination. Through stories of resilience, hope, and creativity, we invite readers to engage deeply, think boldly, and imagine a better future.
What is the Interactive Poetry Garden at The Reservoir?
This Reservoir project serves as a living pilot for what green space can become—a site where ecology, community, and creative expression meet. With sustained support, this model can extend beyond a single landscape, taking root in parks across Jersey City, throughout Hudson County, and across New Jersey, cultivating spaces where poetry and public life grow together.
This initiative is led by Melida Rodas, Poet Laureate of Jersey City, alongside the City of Jersey City Department of Parks and Recreation, Dawn Giambalvo, the Reservoir Youth Advisory Board from McNair High School, and students from local elementary schools. This spring the work will extend beyond the page with the Interactive Poetry Garden at The Reservoir, a REED Community Project in Jersey City, Hudson County. Here, a walk in the park will become a journey through words and art. Visitors will encounter poems along winding paths, created by students, poets, and community members, each piece inviting reflection, curiosity, and wonder.
Displays will be interactive and accessible, featuring braille for visually impaired visitors and QR codes that will connect the physical park to digital content on REED Magazine. Scan a code, and you will be able to listen to poems, explore extended works, view visual art, and enjoy a Sound Garden created by the Grammy winning composer, and NJ Resident, Martha Mooke.
You will even be able to submit your own creation!
“Poetry belongs in the spaces where life unfolds—along walking paths, beneath open skies, and in the quiet corners of our parks. Through this initiative, the voices of our youth and community become part of the landscape. By merging technology, the arts, and the environment, the Interactive Poetry Garden creates a living archive that grows with every visitor and poet. My hope is that every walk through the park becomes an encounter with art, culture, and shared imagination.” — Melida Rodas 🌿
Magazine partners include:
Sonic Garden Cultivator:
The Art Botanist:
"IMUR Gallery is honored to join the Jersey City Poetry Festival and REED Magazine as the visual arts component of this multidisciplinary platform. Rooted in a shared belief in community, dialogue, and creative exchange, this collaboration reflects IMUR’s commitment to supporting emerging voices—particularly youth artists ages 14–21—by providing space, mentorship, and real-world exposure.
By integrating visual art into a space centered on poetry and language, IMUR seeks to expand the dialogue between disciplines, creating an environment where image and word intersect, and where young creatives are empowered to express, connect, and be seen. This collaboration continues IMUR’s dedication to fostering the next generation of artists within Jersey City’s vibrant cultural landscape." - Ivy Huang
Youth Voices at the Center
Young people are at the heart of REED. Students contribute poems, artwork, and ideas inspired by their experiences, alongside educators and community members. The Poetry Garden celebrates creativity across generations, showcasing how stories—no matter the age of the storyteller—can spark courage, connection, and positive change.
What We Focus On
REED welcomes creative work connected to:
Climate change and care for the planet
Innovation and problem-solving
The arts—writing, poetry, visual art, music, and multimedia
Wildlife, conservation, and the natural world
Resilience, imagination, and community
Every voice matters. Stories spark empathy, curiosity, and action.
How to Contribute
REED accepts:
Stories, articles, and memoirs (up to 1,000 words)
Poetry (up to 2 poems, 400 words total)
Art, photography, video, and music with a short artist statement
Interviews and profiles (up to 1,000 words)
Contributors of all ages and backgrounds are welcome—from students to seniors, educators to community members.
Original, genuine work is key; perfection is optional.
Submission details: Send your work by email with your name, age, short bio, and optional pronouns or social media links. Response time is 2–4 weeks.
Contributors retain full copyright. If published, REED receives a non-exclusive, worldwide license to display and promote the work. Minor must have parental or guardian permission and signed consent to submit.
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