Dear Beloved Reader,
I always find myself feeling, as the seasons turn, as if I have a renewed lease on life. What better time to reflect on what needs changing inside of our own lives than when the world outside our windows begins to undergo change as well?
As my final year at UVA begins—and I face the terrifying prospect of sending out my law school applications in just a few short weeks—I have had no choice but to leave no stone in my life unturned. It has been of the utmost importance to take a closer look at everything I have carried with me thus far and ask myself the difficult questions of, does this give or take my energy? Does this make me happy? If the weights I bear no longer return the endurance they once gave me, then for my own peace, now is the time to finally set them down.
Beloved Reader, as summer gives way to autumn, I invite you to reflect alongside me on what in your life renews you. Maybe it is spending time with your loved ones. Maybe it is starting a new project, or working to continue an old one. Maybe it is the warm sun on your face, or maybe it is a cool breeze on your skin.
For our first issue of the semester, we asked our writers to grapple with what it means to renew—to make a deliberate choice to continue—or be renewed, with fresh life and strength. Maxine Prudhomme opens our issue with his powerful, lyrical short story “Home-Canned Peaches,” exploring what it means to make peace with the life that inevitably reclaims us all after death. Faith Leslie sits down with renowned eco-poet MaKshya Tolbert to discuss the ways our natural environment shapes our innermost sensibilities in her feature, “Poetry in Place: Talking Eco-Poetics with MaKshya Tolbert.”
Emily Frost asks us to consider an all-too-familiar conflict between time, money, and passion in her short story, “What Happened to Mia?,” reflecting on the value of reviving creative projects in the face of a culture that values only productivity.
Geovanna Murphy questions Gen Z’s dismissive attitude toward birthdays in her piece “All My Friends Hate Their Birthdays,” encouraging us to reclaim the space we’re owed on the day we were born. Similarly, Sydney McClellan expresses feeling totally cool about getting older in her captivating poem, “Wishweeds,” and reminds us to cherish what we have while we’re able, like a bouquet while it is still in bloom.
To close us out, CJ Ackerman-Garvin explores the dissociative aspect of heartbreak in their piece, “Doorway Vision,” a short story that blurs the boundaries of reality and asks, if given the opportunity to start over, should you?
I want to thank our immensely talented writers for being so patient with me during this first issue and for helping me find my footing as I embrace this new season of my journey with Iris. It is you all and your incredible work that makes me feel renewed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for entrusting Iris with your gifts.
To our incredible Social Media and Communications team, spearheaded by Leigh Ann Carver and Annie Gibson, thank you for helping us share the incredible work of our authors with the world. We couldn’t do this without you!
To my editorial team, Mary Esselman and Simone Minor, it is such an honor to work alongside you. I’m so happy we have the entire year to learn and grow together.
Finally, to you, the reader, thank you for supporting Iris. Much love to you always!
Lindsey Smith
Editor, Iris Magazine 2025-2026
