Dearest reader,
In the newest issue of Iris, we asked our writers to grapple with the idea of origins and beginnings. They delivered a powerful host of essays, fiction, and poetry that provide unique perspectives on where we come from, and where we are now.
Cassie starts us off with a searingly beautiful poem called “Constellations”, contemplating the moment when we look up and see stories embedded in the web of stars that light up the night sky. Will the lovers in the sky stay in love for infinity, or is it just the projection of a desire we hope to realize?
Bailey’s essay, “The Origins of American…something” deftly weaves together her experiences as a conscious citizen, vulnerable fears of disillusionment, and her political commentary, offering an engaged, nuanced response to the ongoing work of keeping democracy alive. Jordan’s interview piece, “My Parents, My Self: An Origin Story" takes the prompt in a new direction, and she talks to her parents to learn more about her origin story, and theirs, as they became parents for the first time.
Lindsey’s pop culture commentary asks “Sarah, What if You DIDN’T Write Another ACOTAR?” analyzing the limitations of a recently popular book-tok series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas. How should we consciously portray and consume stories featuring romantic relationships that are less than healthy? Jackie’s piece, “A Playlist for Mountains and Memories” presents a classic road trip playlist that she and her family would listen to on their way to the Big Bear Lake in Southern California, braiding song and memory together as a crucial marker of her childhood.
Carley’s foray into fiction, “He Calls Her Barbie, for short” is an inventive take on the question, what happens when the creation starts to outsmart the creator? Grace closes our Origins issue with a poem called, “good things — a list” that was inspired by Elizabeth Bishop’s famous poem, “One Art”, where she takes on the lyric form but transforms it entirely.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you tune in next time for the final installment of Iris this semester! Thank you to the Communications team, the Social Media Interns, Iris Assistant Editor Susannah Baker, and Iris Program Coordinator Mary Esselman.
Sincerely,
Miriella Jiffar
Iris Magazine Student Editor 2024-2025
P.S. Be on the lookout for our print edition in December!
