#kundimanforever

Now accepting 2019 Kundiman Asian American Creative Writing Retreat applications!

Faculty include Hala Alyan, Myung Mi Kim, Craig Santos Perez, Tania James, & Shawn Wong! Open now through 1/15! Apply and spread the word. 

Had a fabulous time reading with Mary Jean Chan today for Transatlantic Poetry. Big thanks to R.A. Villanueva and Robert Peake. And to Kundiman for sponsoring/supporting. We got to talk about aesthetic tendencies/identities, endings, spare vs. expansive poems, dream logic, and the poets we're glad to be writing alongside. (With shout-outs to Sam Herschel Wein, Kazumi Chin, Chloe Honum, Keegan Lester, Jessica Smith, Michelle Lin, Ashley Mag Gabbert, & Jennifer S. Cheng.) 

Pics (mostly taken by Rigoberto González! thank you!) from Saturday night’s beautiful Patron Circle Dinner, honoring those who have donated most generously to Kundiman. 

Thanks to Cathy Linh Che for inviting me to share some poems & a testimonial about Kundiman’s life-changing impact. &: my love & my thank you, Cathy for all that you do as Kundiman’s heart-building Executive Director!! 

Love & thanks to Kyle Lucia Wu, Programs & Communications Director, for all that you make happen. 

Love & thanks to Sarah Gambito (happy bday!!) & Joseph O. Legaspi, co-founders & true wise magic-makers, for your vision & labor. 

Love & thanks to members of the Junior Board—so good to meet you. 

Love & thanks to Allison Albino for opening up her home & cooking so much glorious deliciousness!! 

& big thanks to Joseph for hosting me over the weekend. So sad I got sick & couldn’t be a more fun houseguest! But glad, glad, glad I got to be a part of this night.

&: 

[posted this on Twitter, but want to keep a record of it here] 

ask: where are you needed? how can you be an elder, now?

i don't believe in graduation, i believe in rite of passage.

people meet me and i'm such a nice person but my poems are so RUDE.

we're writing into a future my son can live in.

I recently became a recurring donor to Kundiman because I have witnessed what powerful change & community is possible when we work in truly collaborative & big-hearted ways. The Kundiman Writers Retreats I’ve participated in (2014 & 2016) were unforgettable experiences that led to deep friendships. Kundiman-sponsored readings & events are among my all-time favorites in the poetry world. & I look forward each year to learning of the new winner of the Kundiman Book Prize. 

From left to right: (1) with fellow poet Duy Doan, a Kundiman graduate this year, (2) with fellow poet and first-time retreat participant Troy Osaki, at the Kundiman Public Reading, (3) with everyone - Kundiman fellows, staff, & faculty - at Fordham University, Rosehill Campus. 

I am Dutch & nothing I am doing has anything to do  with the Chinese lyrics of the pop song, which roll phrase  by phrase across my knees & the multicolored tulips.