The essays, poems and reflections in this book were written by individuals who form part of the Into the Woods Writers' Circle in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This circle of scribes met for the first time in early 2016. We found each other in response to a public call to form a community of like minded writers who would come together monthly to elevate the writing experience through shared readings of our professional works. We gathered both in public settings and in private living rooms during events, lovingly hosted by a different member every month. In these sacred spaces, we actively listened to each other's works, we reflected, offered insight, enjoyed delicious edibles, drank heady wine, shared creative ideas, and developed warm friendships-all of this grounded, guided, and inspired by the mutuality of our love for storytelling and the written word. Our 2016 anthology is but a small representation of these experiences. This anthology is dedicated to all writers, poets, artists and dreamers who through the beauty of words, images and ideas, contribute to the understanding of the diversity of human experiences that give teleological meaning to the brevity of our time in this world.