Power is one of those ideas so vast it resists definition. It sits at the center of human stories — political, personal, spiritual — and yet no two people experience it in quite the same way. To speak of power is to speak of contrasts: the power to command, and the power to refuse; the strength of empire, and the quiet resilience of the individual. It can be a current that flows through institutions, or a spark that flickers inside a single act of courage.
When we chose Power as the theme of this anthology, we did so intentionally — to open the door as wide as possible. Power can mean authority, or influence, or energy, or survival. It can be inherited or seized, bestowed or denied, tangible or invisible. When we examine a situation we can frequently find more than one form of power:
- The power of a mother’s lullaby to still a crying child, and the power of silence to convey what words cannot.
- The power of money to build empires, and the power of poverty to reveal what truly matters.
- The power of technology to connect billions, and the power of solitude to restore the self.
- The power of protest to shake nations, and the power of law to quell it.
- The power of nature to overwhelm, and the power of human ingenuity to resist
We asked our team how they interpreted the theme of Power, and this is what they said:
Jodi: My interpretation of power isn’t about those who lead, rule, or control. It’s about discovering quieter, more personal forms of strength — resilience, resistance, and agency. While power is often recognised in wealth, status, or fear; I see the truest power as elemental—found in nature, in transformation, and in growth.
Dai: I believe power is about strength and confidence. Fear, and how you approach that fear, is powerful. If you’re able to overcome your fears, or just have the courage to approach them, you experience power. Whether it’s going on a rollercoaster when you’re scared or writing that one assignment that feels bigger than you are, as long as you approach it and try – you are powerful. We are powerful.
Sam: When I think of power I think of the big and the small. I think of the large, monstrous power that sparked the beginning and end of empires, where the decision of a single individual changed the lives of millions. I also think of the power a newly-born babe has to change their parents entire worldview. We all have our own personal connections that—for better or for worse—bind and motivate us with the power of friendship, love, and adversity.