Dear Reader,
Credit for this issue’s theme is due to Iris writer Andrea Santos, who suggested a theme inspired by the many scientific discoveries and innovations of the Renaissance era. I was in full support of this: after taking a seventeenth-century literature class a few semesters ago, I remain inspired by Francis Bacon’s mantra that “knowledge is power” and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. Some of our writers explore the process of self-discovery in this issue, while others share recent songs, poems, films, and even blind-boxed figurines they’ve discovered.
Andrea's essay this issue explores her evolving relationship with a relatively new diagnosis, in "Living with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity/'You People Can't Do Anything' Disorder." Monet Gonda reckons with the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that fuel the pursuit of greatness, in her essay “The Need to Conquer Everything.” Alyssa Rim cozies up to “Long Songs Belong in Fall,” a listicle about her favorite songs longer than 10 minutes, perfect for accompanying you on a crisp stroll around Grounds.
Chastity Quarles shares her favorite poems by Black poets who helped her understand her own identity in “A Little Bit of Me.” Madina Fayzieva chronicles her journey of discovering her personal style and offers readers tips to do the same in her honest, funny essay “How I Learned to Wear Myself.” In CJ Ackerman-Garvin’s touching short story “Celestial Bodies” an individual finds an alien and realizes that they perhaps have quite a bit in common.
Geovanna Murphy’s wryly poignant essay “Little Plastic Figures” describes how she and her friends find inexpensive and enduring joy in blind-box figures like Smiskis and Sonny Angels. Beck Jewell offers a charming poem, "Retirement Party," about a small child (and his stuffed penguin) contemplating the grandeur of the space shuttle Discovery.
Ashley Gyawali reckons with her identity in “Passport Sis: (Nepali-American Version),” as does the protagonist of her stunning short story “All The Daughters Of My Father’s House.” Just in time for the Virginia Film Festival, Sydney McClellan enthusiastically tells us about the films she absolutely cannot wait to see in “I Am Seeing 12 Movies in 4 Days and No One Can Stop Me!”
Speaking of discoveries, Iris is thrilled to debut veteran Iris writer Geovanna (Jo) Murphy's new column, "Jo the Word Nerd," in which she shares her etymological musings on the wonder of words. If you love to read, write and think about how words make meaning, you will love this column. If you enjoy witty, incisive writing that can change how you think about the world, you will love this column. First up: Jo the Word Nerd: My Thoughts on Words, an introduction to the column that is pure lexical delight. We look forward to all of Jo's future Word Nerd columns and hope you will, too!
Also new this issue is the short story "Curls," from freelancer Nina Gravlee. When you read it, you will feel it.
I hope you enjoy discovering our latest issue!
Emily Frost
