by Douglas Kearney and Bao Phi (listen and download here) DK BOTH BP We meet at the crossroads of convenience stores in a galaxy of bulletproof glass, chanting a battle hymn of broken English. We remix dynamite and bullwhips. Pull sips from tears in the crow’s feet scratching black eyes. I said: we remix dynamite and bullwhips into poetry tattooed on bamboo splinters and the walls of Angel Island. Tattooed
Changeling: Cutty Nguyen
August 19, 2011
with thanks to Christopher Chinn Cutty as in crazy gook bitch will cut you, cracking gum in the shadows of hi-rise ghetto-in-the-sky before newspapers were spread on shag carpet for that evening’s curry dinner in the dark are her fingernails shiny enough to be mistaken for blades? Cutty as in Cutie, China Doll taking up too much space at the Oriental Food market stacking boxes of inter-ethnic ramen stealing cans
No Question
August 19, 2011
to the white girl who saw a bunch of us little Southeast Asian kids watch her brother play a video game in the Asian grocery and said “these gooks are surrounding us.” Did we douse you in chemicals that twisted your future generations to flesh pretzels stripmine your resources then fusion fuck your family dinner Did we light garlands of fire onto your sacred mountains, push your people to tiny
I Got My…
May 19, 2011
via the [ Star Tribune ] I was going to write something for Asian Heritage month, then I got this link to the new video from the dynamic team up of Magnetic North, Taiyo Na, and Jin – and all I have to do is post this. Derek aka Direct from Magnetic North worked on this for 2 and 1/2 years, a labor of love low on budget but big
Celebrating Courage
March 17, 2011
via the [ Star Tribune ] There is a lot to read, and worry about, in local and world news. Today I want to celebrate courage. Real courage. The story of the Fukushima 50 humbles me. I wish them the best. I wish them luck. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in their situation. I also want to give props to Rep. Mike Honda, who recently made
8(9)
November 25, 2010
In memory of Fong Lee And for the Lee family, and the Justice for Fong Lee committee In 2006, Minneapolis Police Officer Jason Andersen shot and killed Fong Lee, a 19-year old Hmong American. Andersen was awarded a Medal of Valor, though the Lee family and community members allege that Fong Lee was unarmed and the gun found on the scene was planted by police. During a foot chase in
The Nguyens EP
January 1, 2008
Written and performed by Bao Phi, recorded by Rush Merchant III Currently only available for digital download. The Nguyễns EP by Bao Phi TRACKLISTING The Nguyễns LAMB Vu’s revenge Quincy in the promised land Katrina Joan and Jesus Unity Thuy and Vinh
You Bring Out the Vietnamese in Me
September 1, 2006
Published in: Saint Paul Almanac Edited by Kimberly Nightengale Arcata Press, 2006
Race
September 1, 2006
Published in: Best American Poetry 2006 Edited by Billy Collins Scribner, 2006 Michigan Quarterly Review: Viet Nam: Beyond the Frame Edited by Rebekah Linh Collins University of Michigan, Winter 2005