Swan Song

Image Courtesy: Claire Tollstrup

As I sit here writing my final Strike article, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for this magazine. To have a platform to share my creative insights has been nothing short of a privilege and an honor. 

Strike saw me before I saw myself. It forced me to dig deep into a version of myself I repressed for so long, and in a way, it helped me come to terms with my journey of life. There is truly a version of myself that only exists within these articles.

When I first joined Strike Boca, I remember being incredibly nervous to pitch my first articles. The fear of rejection is something I have dealt with all my life. To put myself in a position to be shot-down was nothing short of terrifying, and I think I can speak for the masses when I say that putting yourself in the most vulnerable situation is the most courageous thing you can do. 

And now here I am, three issues later, over 20 articles written, and I find myself in the same stool at the kitchen counter writing my final piece. It is said that before a swan passes into the afterlife, it lets out a beautiful cry as one final goodbye. A reminder that all beautiful things must come to an end, for if there were no end, there would be no evolution. 

To be able to work with a team of like-minded and creative individuals has taught me more than any textbook ever could. It showed me that emotional intelligence is not just an abstract concept, but something lived in the quiet moments between people. It reminded me of the importance of reading a room without words, and understanding when to lead and when to listen. Every week, the team wore their hearts on their sleeve and pitched ideas that were meaningful to them, and watching them turn those brief pitches into an alluring piece of art was nothing short of inspiring. 

My love for writing began at a young age. I would write short stories on a piece of printer paper from my family’s office, and would have my action figures be the actors. But over time, I began to fizzle out, and the honest truth is that I did not think I was very good. As I grew older, I found myself missing the art of writing, and it was not until I joined Strike that I saw that same passion I had as a little kid become reignited. 

I write to see myself reflected somewhere outside of my own mind. It is almost a reminder to keep myself grounded in this chaotic and boisterous world, a reminder that I am real and true to myself, in case I forgot who I was becoming. It begs the question: do we write to be remembered? Or do we write to understand ourselves in this present moment?

To me, Strike is a living, breathing, and multifaceted piece of art that knew who I was before I even knew myself. It was never just words on a computer or pictures in a magazine. It was proof that something was alive, and keeping it alive was the fire and determination of us to want to make something beautiful. 

These magazines and the articles I have written are a true testament to time. They are here in the world and will outlast me and many generations to come. It should be a fact that scares me, but instead it gives me an unexplainable feeling of pride and hopefulness. 

I could go on about how much this magazine has meant to me, but I would hate for my final article to go over the word count! I came here to be someone, and here I am, leaving, and finally understanding I never had to. I, along with you reading this, will always be someone. 

To my friends and family who read every article I produced, I cannot thank you enough. To Strike, my love for you is something that will never be properly construed with words alone. 

The song does not, and will never, end here. It will instead find a different place to be heard.

Strike Out, 

Matty Wolfe

Boca Raton 

Matty Wolfe is the Senior Editor for Strike Magazine Boca. This avid reality television consumer loves to escape the world as often as he can. You’ll find him outside often, working on his tan, or sweating in a hot yoga class.You can reach him by email at mattheww0507@gmail.com Instagram: mattyywolfe