Foreword

In his poem Don Juan, Lord Byron famously wrote, “But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew, upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” While Don Juan is a satirical poem that follows the hapless titular character, whose reputation as a womanizer is reinvented as someone easily seduced by women, Lord Byron’s musings on the written word have withstood the test of time, surpassing their sardonic origins.

As Lord Byron expresses, the transit between thoughts and words possesses the potential to influence countless people. I argue Lord Byron’s quote can be taken even further: the journey between thought and all forms of creation, whether it be the written word, artwork, or photography, ignites brilliance in others. Humans have a natural desire to connect, to create, and to leave their mark on the world. Byron’s “small drop of ink” embodies this desire and empowers it to flourish.

This semester, Untold has been honored to host the creative efforts of Honors students. As the platform for Utah Valley University’s Honors Program, Untold features a diverse collection of writing, artwork, and photography. As Lord Byron wrote, Untold hopes the works it houses will reach the minds of others, propelling them to thought, inspiration, and creation.

A special thanks to our volunteers for their time and dedication. Without their contributions, this edition of Untold would not be possible. Furthermore, the staff of Untold expresses our appreciation to Brendan McCarthy, our staff advisor and resident bread baker. I would also like to convey my utmost gratitude and admiration to our leadership staff, James, Thatcher, Spencer, and Jeremy. I will miss working alongside you.

Finally, a round of applause for our contributors. Thank you for your small drops of ink, which have blossomed into something wonderful. Untold would not exist without you. Keep creating on,

Elizabeth Holman,

Editor-in-Chief