Identity

Middle school, almost by definition, is not supposed to be a place where anyone thrives.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.