"are you hungry, awake, astonished enough?" What an incredible piece of writing. Thank you for sharing. I'm really enjoying discovering writers through this series.
This poem just blew me away! It's simultaneously both very grounded in the real world, with all the physical imagery, and very surreal, with the unusual connections and actions the speakers make/take. (Comparing mud to chocolate! The image of eating a filp-flop!) I think that adds a lot to the idea that these ghosts/ancestors both live in our world but in a state that is somehow beyond. I also love how the tone is both celebratory and solemn, like there is some sort of ritual happening within the poem.
As one of Jane's former students, it's so magical seeing her get recognized for all the incredible work she does. It brings me a lot of joy to watch her read on a platform like this, and there are few people who deserve it as much as Jane. This poem is one of my all-time favorites, and has been since I first heard her read it.
I really enjoyed how the start of the poem was just this lively feast, and then unfurled into the overabundance that some have. The supermarket so full of milk. It really does make you think more about the abundance that is often taken for granted.
It's amazing the impact hunger has on generations. My Chinese grandfather is still always hunger, or at least says he is, decades after his experiences with starvation during WWII. And all of his grandchildren are so aware of it, of how he and my grandmother relate to food in ways that is so different to how we relate to food. This poem was scary and moving and somehow incredibly recognizable for me. Thank you for it.
It's such a generous poem in that way. I think if Jane really wanted to, she could have written an entire book with all of these images, but instead she was able to fit it all into one poem for us! - Paige
something so surreal and strange and yet lovely about this one! really interesting and unique, I love how this channel introduces me to so many new writers, ideas, and ways of approaching poetry :)
I have a question: When she read the poem, the large empty spaces that I read as pauses were more or less equally paused, equally rapid. Will someone please explain to me if it is a hard rule that when reading in one's head these are pauses, or are the empty spaces mostly for visual breakup? Basically, why are they included/written into the poem? Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. Great poem. One of my new favorite poets.
Chunky, robust imagery! I would love to have a sidebar commentary to delve deeper into the culturally specific aspects. I'm not from a background where ghosts are part of the narrative but our cultures share reverence for ancestors. I am certain, from the beautiful word pictures, that every image has layers of significance. Stunning.
Wow she teaches creative writing at my college! I always wanted to take a course from her but unfortunately they extremely limit access to those courses for non-English majors.
That was certainly an onslaught of sounds. They really do justice in contributing to the meaning of her words and imagery. And making me feel a little sick..
I was coaxed against my will into eating durian. To my surprise, I loved it! How can something that smells so bad, like durian, or a strong cheese, taste so good?
"are you hungry, awake, astonished enough?" What an incredible piece of writing. Thank you for sharing. I'm really enjoying discovering writers through this series.
What an ending, right?! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to enjoy this poem with us, Leanne! - Paige
I got literal goosebumps listening to Jane read this poem! - Paige
Here, there are so many open eyes we can't close each one.
Few words, but had such a huge impact. Even after the poem these lines resonate
This poem just blew me away! It's simultaneously both very grounded in the real world, with all the physical imagery, and very surreal, with the unusual connections and actions the speakers make/take. (Comparing mud to chocolate! The image of eating a filp-flop!) I think that adds a lot to the idea that these ghosts/ancestors both live in our world but in a state that is somehow beyond.
I also love how the tone is both celebratory and solemn, like there is some sort of ritual happening within the poem.
You took my unfinished, badly translated thoughts and wrote them down perfectly 👍
As one of Jane's former students, it's so magical seeing her get recognized for all the incredible work she does. It brings me a lot of joy to watch her read on a platform like this, and there are few people who deserve it as much as Jane. This poem is one of my all-time favorites, and has been since I first heard her read it.
I really enjoyed how the start of the poem was just this lively feast, and then unfurled into the overabundance that some have. The supermarket so full of milk. It really does make you think more about the abundance that is often taken for granted.
It's amazing the impact hunger has on generations. My Chinese grandfather is still always hunger, or at least says he is, decades after his experiences with starvation during WWII. And all of his grandchildren are so aware of it, of how he and my grandmother relate to food in ways that is so different to how we relate to food. This poem was scary and moving and somehow incredibly recognizable for me. Thank you for it.
The imagery in this is fantastic!
It's such a generous poem in that way. I think if Jane really wanted to, she could have written an entire book with all of these images, but instead she was able to fit it all into one poem for us! - Paige
Totally agree!
Let out an involuntary “fuckin hell” with that last line. This poem feels so pertinent in a world where we gorge, but never truly feast.
something so surreal and strange and yet lovely about this one! really interesting and unique, I love how this channel introduces me to so many new writers, ideas, and ways of approaching poetry :)
I've listened to this every week since it came out. I've cried every time. If you didn't cry at this, you haven't ever really been hungry.
Beautifully written, the imagery is so gorgeous, and, at the same time, frightful and astonishing.
"What is love if not knotted in garlic" For someone who loves garlic, I have never known such truth.
I really enjoyed this poem. The imagery is excellent. Thankyou for introducing this poem to me.
After seeing your newest physical installation around this poem I am so excited to hear you read it. Lovely.
I have a question: When she read the poem, the large empty spaces that I read as pauses were more or less equally paused, equally rapid. Will someone please explain to me if it is a hard rule that when reading in one's head these are pauses, or are the empty spaces mostly for visual breakup? Basically, why are they included/written into the poem? Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. Great poem. One of my new favorite poets.
Chunky, robust imagery! I would love to have a sidebar commentary to delve deeper into the culturally specific aspects. I'm not from a background where ghosts are part of the narrative but our cultures share reverence for ancestors. I am certain, from the beautiful word pictures, that every image has layers of significance. Stunning.
Super Fabulous - Evocative; exquisitely literate - thank you!
You can't just wreck a person with the words of the ravenous dead just as they are about to head out to work 😣
Wow! I had to pause the video a couple times to take in the words before I could continue
Wow she teaches creative writing at my college! I always wanted to take a course from her but unfortunately they extremely limit access to those courses for non-English majors.
hell yeah jane wong!!!
That was certainly an onslaught of sounds. They really do justice in contributing to the meaning of her words and imagery. And making me feel a little sick..
Wow wow wow wow this poem. I want to eat the world
Wow
This is fantastic 💚
stunning
I was coaxed against my will into eating durian. To my surprise, I loved it! How can something that smells so bad, like durian, or a strong cheese, taste so good?
This made me sob.
Wow...it reminds me of Garrett hongo’s “who among you knows the essence of garlic?” In its aggressive voice
Thank you Jane!
Damn.
It's sad to imagine such a bountiful afterlife.
these spirits are definitely hungry ghosts
What an onslaught. Need some water?
This poem should be titled: "How gluttons justify themselves"