Dear reader,
What does Bite mean to you? Maybe you imagine sinking your teeth into something sweet, the sensation of someone else’s lips on yours for the first time, or the snapping jaws of an angry dog. When choosing a theme for this issue, we wanted something that would allow writers to explore a range of complicated sensations and emotions, to get lost in reflection, be it sweet and sticky or sour and bitter. To us, Bite encapsulates the shock of a new year, a new Cipher staff, and a Colorado Springs quickly transitioning from summer to winter. The nights get longer, the leaves turn orange, and we sit in the pub house and think about bites. What’s come back to bite us, what biting words we’ve spoken or heard. It’s delicious and scary.
Change is hard, and with a late start, this issue was more of a time-crunch than usual. There were moments where we feared we had bitten off more than we could chew, but thanks to the hard work of the writers, artists, publishers, and everyone involved in making this happen, we produced something that we are truly proud of. This issue is dedicated to all of you. Thank you.
We wanted an issue with a “bite” to it, and we were not disappointed. The writing explores the versatile meanings of the word: evoking pain and pleasure and everything in between. Mattie Valinsky explores the beautiful and agonizing transition towards womanhood through descriptions of her childhood Astrovan, the Green Machine. Her story is familiar in its nostalgia, and the weight that it lends to moments of youth in a family vehicle, preoccupied by crumbs on the floor or the blare of a truck horn. Katie Kamio depicts growing up in a different way. It’s a coming into one’s own, facilitated by a Model UN conference and a sweaty teenage dance. She implores readers to think about the collage of experiences that make up each of us, empowering or embarrassing, regrettable or defining. Conner Crosby surprised us with a surreal, fictional mystery in an office building. He paints a grim image of human nature and mundanity that may have you gritting your teeth, but trust us, wait for the plot twist.
There’s something in this issue for all kinds of tastes.
As we kick off the 2022-2023 school year, we encourage you to not be afraid to bite.
After the time and effort from our writers, artist, and staff, we thank you for your time in reading this delicious, passionate, and fierce first issue! We’re looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us with the Obsession Issue.
Go ahead, take a bite!