Identity
To My Middle School Idols
Middle school, almost by definition, is not supposed to be a place where anyone thrives.
In My Ideal Universe
My body, mind, and soul are a solar system
Made up of hundreds of moons, millions of asteroids, and a multitude of planets
The depth of my composition largely unexplored
ቡና : Coffee : Liquid Gold
An ode, an homage to these storied Ethiopian highlands, a chess board of the gods as Homer once said, where goats and shepherds have become their chess pieces, shrouded in the gauzy mist of early dawn. A curious goatherd rolls the beans up and down the length of his sun-kissed calloused fingers—a tradition is born.
The Story of Jasmine (as told by and to Iris)
Our editor, mentor, colleague, friend
Who shepherds Iris to the end,...
Poet and scholar who dares to dream—
In Jasmine’s light we all feel seen.
The Bailey Middleton Playlist
About a year ago, one of Bailey’s poems hooked me onto Iris as a new reader. Today, as a fellow Iris writer, I get to talk to Bailey about community, her music recommendations, and what Iris has brought to our lives.
A Storyteller’s Story: The Artistry of Caroline Silvera
Caroline Silvera applied to Iris magazine one year ago as a second year without any writing experience. Surprising right? Most wouldn’t guess by the variety and depth of her pieces, not to mention the title of “author” beneath her name on the Iris website, that she had never considered herself a writer before.
On Mary Esselman: A Love Letter to the Girl and the Fish
Mary has lived many lives, as a journalist for People nagazine, a Georgetown University professor, a Discovery Channel documentarian, and a poetry anthologist, but I find her here today, as the living backbone of Iris—or more formally known as Iris Magazine’s program coordinator and editor.
20 Minutes With Ella Powell
A creative force in the purest form, here is what Ella has to say about her work, her time at Iris, and her professional and authorial goals.
Meet Lindsey Smith: Raconteur, Spinner of Tales, Storyteller
Ask anyone on the Iris staff, it’s Lindsey’s unique voice that remains with them, the words are always alive, breathing off the page. Lindsey says she has little writing experience, but between you and me, she’s just being modest.
Jordan Coleman Loves Fantasy and Practicing Vulnerability, and Other Things you Should Know about the Iris Author
We’re an interesting pair: two people tired from the week, yet talking about writing on our night off. But for Jordan Coleman... writing is a passion—an art form and a creative muscle she likes to stretch in her free time. And so, on our night off, we talk about fantasy, poetry, and vulnerability.