Letter from the Editors
words by Aliza Susatijo and Sana Friedman, art by Gloria Sung
Dear Beloved Readers,
As the seasons change and the blooming flowers give way to brittle leaves and blistering cold, we come to recognize the beauty in transience. Even as the jewel-toned hues of autumn are strewn across the ground, they quickly whither away as if it never existed. And so they must be treasured in the moment. In our third issue “Ephemerality,” our writers and artists examine the seemingly small, simple aspects of life that help fill in the greater picture of their memories. As these memories are pondered endlessly, they are polished until they shine, reflecting who you have become today. As you read throughout this issue, we hope you consider the events, stories, or relationships that didn't last, but nevertheless define who you are. These parts of your life push you forwards and pull you back, caught in the remembrance of something that no longer exists.
Gloria Sung begins our issue with a depiction of the interconnected traits that tie us all together. With a collage of photos cut and overlaid amongst each other, the tendency of memory to blur together is visualized in “Ephemerality’s” cover art. Pauline Tsui’s “Fragments of a Whole” reflects the fleeting moments of one’s life that never really leave you. Justina Lu’s art complements this poem by piecing together the mosaic of memories that make up a childhood.
Hannah Shen’s “murmurings” tells a story of a momentous being that experiences the brief moments of every era. Just as a late-blooming gingko tree can transform overnight into a golden mirage, Lanie Myaing’s art reflects the surprising elegance in something temporal. Alternatively, Shruti Shah’s work carries the feelings of frenzy that emerge in the spiraling whirlwind of leaves in the breeze. Ashley Xiao’s art conveys this electric feeling alongside the deep woe that comes with falling.
Rather than the fleeting nature of time, Elaine Ruan focuses on the lasting impact of a single moment in her piece “Mayflies.” Like a single glimmering scale of a fish in Jason Chen’s pencil drawing, one memory can strengthen the ties of a lasting relationship. Liah Chung’s piece “I Never Was One for Sunlight” explores the complex relationship between parent and child and how perspectives change as you age. In tandem, Aliza Susatijo’s “Villanelle” uses the intertwining lines of this poetic form as a final goodbye to the University.
As the winter flurries build up and coat the ground in a gleaming blanket of white, countless footsteps trek leave markers of the road beneath. Each step reminds us of the solid concrete and tar below our feet. The path remains through the seasons, withstanding change. Though memories may slip through our fingers and things we hold dear may drift away, we are comforted by the fact that the people around us will always pull us into the present, reliably guiding our steps.
With all our love,
Aliza Susatijo and Sana Friedman <3
