A conversation with Jenny Xie

“Poem of Beginnings” and “The Sarah Poems”

Translated from Korean

“The Buddha Tries to Withdraw Money During the Revolution” and “On Being Absent During the Revolution”

At night, I whisper the word for woman, then other, repeat again.

How does it feel to watch / the seeds of your destruction / walk away from you?

Still, I am begging to be forgiven for the love / of my life

In the first days, everything beckons / you.

I touch my tongue to bitter starlight

Of my heart, / my eyes. I stole your bifocals and we crashed into /
the kitchen table and all you could see was sunlight.

“#26” and “#30”

The soul advances, the soul is trampling the universe.

India’s Covid-19 lockdown was ordered in four phases.

“To Hold Hands Again” and “When My Songs are Over, I Lose My Grip”

We are not rich, neither are we poor.

“@nature, i avoid you,” “my life newly painted is well,” and “@nature, teach me things”

I too wander the temple of knowing.

For you, I sing the same songs and read the same obit.

“Good morning. Happy Birthday of your favorite Ganesh. Love. Good Day.” and “Please don’t forget about your flu shot.”

An erasure of the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016