Iris 2019-2020 Literary Magazine

Iris Magazine 2019-2020

Cover By: Anna Song ‘21 Iris Board Members Meri Baghdasaryan ‘20 Whitney Byington ‘22 Christine Chen ‘20 Ayo Eniola ‘20 Jessy Lu ‘21 Sarah Crosby McKay ‘20 Helen Peng ‘20 Vanessa RenHan ‘21 Mary Semerling ‘21 Kristina Shen ‘20 Hannah Summerlin ‘21 Gwen Werth ‘21 Michelle Zhang ‘21 Lisa Zhao ‘20 Editor: Sridha Chadalavada ‘20 Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Edmonds

“Trout” By: Liliana Stinson

The Octopus’ Treasures By: Marisol Helms A cephalopod tried to coil around his many great spoils.

But with only eight arms, and ten thousand charms, He found it a troublesome toil.

“​Symbiosis​” By: Michelle Zhang

The Poem as Water By: Whitney Byington I run inside you, I burrow Until you can’t find me I seep into every crevice Of your organs I was already there, waiting My body is already the keys Until I am too loud Screaming For you to find me I am your left pinky, The smallest eyelash That greets and sends your tears I am the face-washing brine Estuary Of your chin Meeting the faucet I am the puddle splatter against your nose I am the sediment beneath your nails, Sweat in the crease of your elbow, The breaking of the last red clover, The residue of a limp flower in your palm, The unspoken Yelling unspoken I am the rain sliding down the window, The dew on the door of your bottled room As you whisper Secrets Across the corduroy couch I am dancing through the valleys of its fiber.

When you overfill the glass, Drink it all.

I am still left.

“Flashing Waves of Color�

By: Sridha Chadalavada

Ten Steps Back - an excerpt By: Ayo Eniola Robbie sat at the feeble kitchen table, with its chipping corners and spindly legs, her fingertips pressed firmly against the edges of the envelope. Logan had gone off to school and Robbie didn't have to be in for work for another 3 hours, but she had woken up way too early. Falling back asleep wasn't an option that came easily for her. So she sat at the old kitchen table, the sunlight pouring through the windows intrusive and stark, putting an eerie spotlight on the white envelope in her hands.

She had always left Logan to take care of the bills alone, not wanting to bring any more causes of depression into her life. But today, as Robbie dragged herself into the kitchen in search of cereal, the sunlight shimmering down on the bill called to her in a glamouring drawl. They were out of cereal, and milk, and so many other things, the only things really in stock in the fridge were long expired condiments that they never thought to use. They would have to buy groceries really soon, tomorrow if they could hold off all right. Yet, even after they had shut off the heating, the bill was still high enough to barely leave enough money for the groceries they so desperately needed.

But on opening the envelope Robbie was finally faced with the reality of how little they had. Logan had kept it all hidden, how precariously they were getting by.

She couldn't quit her job. No, in fact, she would have to take on even more hours.

Robbie shoved away from the table, angrily throwing the bill onto the counter. She paced across the room, pressing her palms against her eyes, trying and failing at controlling her breathing. She shouldn't have opened that envelope, she thought to herself, but she did and had to face the consequences. She grasped the back of a chair and stood staring down at the envelope, chest heaving. Selling her body had been a low price, but she was going to have to do even worse if she didn't want them to lose the house, especially as it would soon become too cold to not have the heating on. She would have to do whatever it took. For Logan.

“Black and White” By: Stella Liu

“Modern Nap” By: Carrie Midkiff

“Peaceful Dusk” By: ​Hannah Summerlin

Eyes Beneath The Ocean By: Sridha Chadalavada Deep blue, almost with a hint of lavender So piercing, yet irresistible Those eyes are a reminder of warmth Tender hope, amongst everything The sky, melting colors of the rain Drying up the pain in my mind, the tears on my face Wearing ripped jeans frayed at every edge I hear what you say, and mildly smile

Ice, under the cold hard rocks Melting from the distant sun Waiting for the chance to disappear Into the overwhelming abyss Connecting with you in my mind; my soul I ponder I am reminded once again that undeservingly I’m with you: forever

“3-D Lights�

By: Aly Lee

“Quito�

By: Ella Shackelford

Memories of Lesbos By: Gwen Werth sweet as the summer sun draped in warm golden rays honey voiced a crown of violets weaved into my heartstrings delicate as the winter moon glowing against the stark indigo void ever constant ever changing mirrors the stillness of the heart

“Cause You’re My Flower” By: Anna Song

Robin By: Whitney Byington 1. I twist in the stomach of the sheets until my body is kneaded and the moon pulls at my hairs, swindling them along the back of my neck The bird whispers.

2. The girl screamed.

3. That the bird had fallen.

4. And I didn’t believe her.

5. The bird was warm, pulsing with my heartbeat, as if I could... and I tried…

To drain myself into it, waiting for the wings to slap my palms away I want to scream.

6. I want the bird to scream.

7. The bathroom’s fluorescent lights grab at my skin and my face becomes feathered, my jaw extends, bone exposed, rooted, growing tapered in the shape of a bloody Eiffel Tower— I wonder why I heard the bird call and thought shotgun, watched my face turn, red-bellied, bulging eyes and saw Paris, didn’t hear the beaked wings hit the window, but watched as a tear of wine fell from the bird’s limp head in my hand 8. Onto the pavement.

9. I walk back to bed.

10. Curled like the dead bird, child, limp with branch-like claws, I give myself to the ants.

“Fallin’ Flower” By: Anna Song

Dream of Lace By: Ruby Spencer my trust lies in certainty even if it’s temporary fantasies to hide in even if they are running thin light to help my heart pound even if it is bound to flicker out it’s another and another and another it’s over and over and over instead of a needed change of pace so of course I pray to dream of lace

“​Echo​” By: Michelle Zhang

Everyone Wears A Mask

By Marisol Helms What color is the mask you wear for the dance, my dear?

The lawns are blue and lovely and the laughter I can hear; the people are expecting your hidden face tonight.

What shall you do, my dear, to keep it out of light?

Shall you hide you brow

in gilded jewels and shining silver?

Or lace your cheek with wire so thin it flows like a river?

Of all the things I know, my dear, one I have yet to reveal; I beg you not to don that mask with such a jealous zeal.

I did it earlier myself, and despite my joy at first, I realized being a different person can be quite worse.

So the partygoers dance and glide across the grass; seemingly happy, my dear, at first glance.

But all you see are their masks, their faces are lidded inside; everyone here wears a mask and in it so they hide.

So be like them, if you wish, and forget who you are.

But, oh my dear, to such a beautiful face A mask would only mar.

“The Spirit of Jasmine Tea� (to the right) By: Anna Song

“The Outlet�

By: Jessy Lu

Multiplicity By: Ayo Eniola The pieces make the whole.

Not one is greater or more essential, For without one, the whole image is unrealized.

As there is no destruction without a creation, No creation without a preservation, No individual can exist on its own.

For there are no individuals, Only parts of a perfect whole.

“Separation” By: Daisy Ye

The Sky’s Stage By: Marisol Helms Amidst the clouds of thunder and lightning, cymbals of the sky, conducting wand flies, so lovely a harmony is frightening.

But to fear such melody is unwise, for the silver-drop-gems that fall to die are the most beautiful riches to find.

They bead on glass and streak tears like an eye, bejewel gossamer webs, twisted and twined.

Molten, gold drops with a pale, lustrous sheen, but naught do they stay in this warmth for a time; they leave with wet wings and alight unseen, thievery of wealth, never caught for the crime.

People that hide under hearth for refuge, witness not the dramas of a deluge.

“Earthling” By: Michelle Zhang

“Riley” By: Ella Shackelford

“Chlorophyll” By: Carrie Midkiff

To Touch a Color By: Hannah Summerlin To touch the fiery red, the angriest of all colors, would leave your skin burning.

To touch the glowing orange, the sunniest of all colors, would leave your insides sparkling. To touch the shining yellow, the happiest of all colors, would leave your heart happy. To touch the natural green, the most diverse of all colors, would leave you with an urge to explore.

To touch the tender blue, the saddest of all colors, would leave your emotions running wild. To touch the majestic purple, the royalty of all colors, would leave your mind at peace. To touch a color, any color at all, would be a marvelous thing.

“Just Blink�

By: Liliana Stinson

Dream Snatcher - an excerpt By: Ayo Eniola Logan walked over to the car, smiling when she saw Robbie leaning against the passenger door with her arms crossed over each other and her beanie pulled over her eyes, her scarf wound tightly over her nose and mouth. She had forgotten to take the car keys and had clearly been too proud to go back and get them, especially considering how dramatic her exit had been. But even her fuming wouldn’t have kept her warm for the 10 minutes she had been waiting.

"Are you cold?" Logan asked, holding back a giggle.

"Unlock the car, Logan," Robbie mumbled quietly, but her tone was full of venom.

"Wait, are you actually mad at me?" Logan asked incredulously before breaking out into a laugh.

"You’re mad at me. Why?" "You aren't unlocking the goddamn car, that's why," Logan rolled her eyes but did as the other girl wanted, allowing Robbie to violently fling the passenger door open and loudly slam it shut once she had entered.

She started the car but neither of them immediately moved to start the heat. They usually never did, hoping to save as much gas as they could. But Logan could hear Robbie’s teeth quietly chattering under her scarf and, knowing that Robbie was too upset to show weakness, Logan decided to turn on the heat herself. Robbie sighed gratefully and held her hands over the air vents as Logan pulled away from the curb.

"I hate him.” Robbie was saying, voice muffled by the scarf. “I really really hate him."

Logan hummed, knowing that all Robbie needed at times like this was some acknowledgment, even if it was feigned. "He makes me so mad."

"I know, I know,” “You shouldn’t talk to him anymore.”

“Mhm,"

Robbie turned to Logan and glared at her for a moment, realizing that Logan was just trying to appease her. Just like her voice, her gaze was full of venom but it lacked any real edge to hurt Logan’s feelings. Robbie sunk back into the car seat “I’m being serious. He’s bad news, Logan.”

“You think so?” Logan asked, trying to hide the amusement in her voice.

“I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection, Robbie. If this ends up being a bust, I’ll sort it out myself.”

“But-“ “Okay?”

Robbie shut the heat off. It was still quite chilly in the car but it was clear her blood was boiling again and that would keep her warm until they got home. "He's going to ruin our lives." Logan smiled. "Haven't we done that already?" she asked, and Robbie did not reply.

“Hidden Culture” By: Jessy Lu

“Endless Motion” By: Sridha Chadalavada

An Ode to Antigone By: Gwen Werth dear antigone daughter of oedipus sister of oedipus you perished in silence yet still, your screams, they echo across the annals and corridors of time immemorial even now, gazing gently across the whispers of your words they speak volumes you were living on borrowed time yet fear could not claim you clinging steadfast to your convictions each step forward a step closer to death shadowed in the rays of creon in the face of denigration you made a choice history remembers you as the one who should not have been born it's even in your name and many would think you weak but antigone, you were not you were so much more than that for you were born not to hate but to love and you shall never be silenced not by one man or a thousand i swear it to you

“Gjendebu Child�

By: Sarah Crosby McKay

Serendipity By: Gwen Werth my mind is like a still pool draped in silver ripples of moonlight and scattered with the dust of long forgotten memories settling on the surface into tiny constellations shifting and swirling in a dance of sparkling droplets as i gaze, deep deep deep below lifted up beyond the constraints of knowing and in that infinitesimal moment, i am realized by the ancient wisdom of long past moments cast between the glowing shadow of the moon her heavenly celestial body an unspeakable beauty beyond mortal aspiration

2020 On Earth (Left) By: Jessy Lu “Nature Skyscraper” (Right) By: Vanessa RenHan

“

Darning/My Friend Talks About Her Ex Girlfriend or Her Dead Sister By: Whitney Byington she says losing her was knees rubbing denim til it ripped once clothed in pink satin in a darkening balancing tip toes collecting caked dirt on kitchen tile and she was left frayed to darn is to mend stitch the mountains of muddy black hole valleys scoop grassland like a fingernail wrap them in braided vines to build a forest in the emptiness when the dancer darns her shoe she holds the moon spins it into bone- like layered bark to fill the canyon before the rock rips in erosion before the floor sinks to tectonic plates before the silk dulls under the weight of her orbit before there were cracks in faces my hands needled walls so that the balance would never tear or rather so it would suspend endlessly and i would fall into myself wrapped in stitches

“Floating in the Sunset� (to the right) By: Mary Semerling

“Norwegian Fishing Village” By: Sarah Crosby McKay

“Blooming Upwards” By: Hannah Summerlin