Examples of Azn Poetry
In the comments section, Geof has usefully suggested that I provide a couple examples of "azn" poetry to help everyone, including muself, get a more concrete grasp of what I mean. In an earlier entry, I had the following to say about "azn" poets and poetry.
Assuming "azn" poetry is poetry written by "azn" poets, I would say that "azn" describes an Asian-American who (1) has grown up in America, (2) typically lives in or near a major US city, (3) wears spiked and/or bleached hair, (4) listens to hip hop/rap/R&B and is probably a fan of Eminem, (5) is fascinated by certain Japanese cars like Hondas, (6) has no problem using any racial epithets about any race, (6) is typically 25 years old and under, (7) likes clubbing and raving, (8) is consumeristic, (9) has a bawdy sense of humor, (10) sometimes dislikes the "foreignness" of newer Asian immgrants, (11) often cannot speak an Asian language, (12) uses the term "azn pride" to denote power in their identity. Of course, you don't have to have all these characteristics to be "azn," but usually, you have several in combination. (I'd also added that professions of love and heartbreak, pride in one's racial/ethnic identity, and confrontations against racism are common themes in "azn" poetry.)
So here are links to a couple examples: Ishle Yi Park's "Sa-I-Gu": http://www.inthefray.com/la10/imagine/park15/park15.html
and Bao Phi's "FOBulous!" http://www.baophi.com/poetry.html (Note: Many other poems on Bao Phi's page may also be considered "azn" poetry.)
But I also had this to say: The vast majority of "azn poets" are totally unconcerned with workshopping and publication, and poetry, to them, is purely about self-expression and communication of intimacy...I think, that at its core, azn poetry is a grassroots poetry "movement" that is not really a movement at all. Its near-total disengagement from what is an "appropriate" aesthetic is itself an aesthetic -- an aesthetic of rebellion.
So I think that there are many "azn" poets out there who have not achieved the fame and notoriety of Park and Phi, for example, and that these poets, often teenagers, are just as much integral builders and disciples of this particular, ever-changing, modern aesthetic.
Assuming "azn" poetry is poetry written by "azn" poets, I would say that "azn" describes an Asian-American who (1) has grown up in America, (2) typically lives in or near a major US city, (3) wears spiked and/or bleached hair, (4) listens to hip hop/rap/R&B and is probably a fan of Eminem, (5) is fascinated by certain Japanese cars like Hondas, (6) has no problem using any racial epithets about any race, (6) is typically 25 years old and under, (7) likes clubbing and raving, (8) is consumeristic, (9) has a bawdy sense of humor, (10) sometimes dislikes the "foreignness" of newer Asian immgrants, (11) often cannot speak an Asian language, (12) uses the term "azn pride" to denote power in their identity. Of course, you don't have to have all these characteristics to be "azn," but usually, you have several in combination. (I'd also added that professions of love and heartbreak, pride in one's racial/ethnic identity, and confrontations against racism are common themes in "azn" poetry.)
So here are links to a couple examples: Ishle Yi Park's "Sa-I-Gu": http://www.inthefray.com/la10/imagine/park15/park15.html
and Bao Phi's "FOBulous!" http://www.baophi.com/poetry.html (Note: Many other poems on Bao Phi's page may also be considered "azn" poetry.)
But I also had this to say: The vast majority of "azn poets" are totally unconcerned with workshopping and publication, and poetry, to them, is purely about self-expression and communication of intimacy...I think, that at its core, azn poetry is a grassroots poetry "movement" that is not really a movement at all. Its near-total disengagement from what is an "appropriate" aesthetic is itself an aesthetic -- an aesthetic of rebellion.
So I think that there are many "azn" poets out there who have not achieved the fame and notoriety of Park and Phi, for example, and that these poets, often teenagers, are just as much integral builders and disciples of this particular, ever-changing, modern aesthetic.
posted by Roger Pao at 2:47 AM
9 Comments:
Roger,
Well, I'll be hornswoggled! These examples of azn poetry were a surprise. Why? I expected more of a rap esthetic, and there was some of that--but muted.
Instead, I saw gyrations towards a traditionally "poetic" stance: unexpected use of poetic techniques like anaphora, repetends, etc. But still with a rough, not-quite-polished, exterior. These are not poems of the academy, but the poets seem to have--in the far reaches of their minds--some concept of what that academy is.
Thanks. That helps. Learning through examples is useful.
Geof
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Hey Geof, glad you found the examples helpful!
This is an interesting blog.
Roger, I would like to draw your attention to the Spring/Summer 2002 issue of the Atlanta Review, which I was given to understand is a fairly well-known poetry publication in the United States (I may possibly be wrong about that).
That particular issue was the so-called "Asia" special for Atlanta Review. There were a large number of poems with some Asian element in it (that is, the poems were either set in some part of Asia, or written by Asians, or both).
Among the poets were a fair number of Asian-American poets. I think you might possibly find it interesting to compare their works to Asian poets who are not American. I have a curious feeling that you may possibly discover that your interest is not so much in Asian-American poetry (especially in the narrow way you've defined that term), but Asian poetry in English.
I happened to be one of the poets featured in that particular issue. It can still be ordered directly from the editors of Atlanta Review (google and you'll see).
I also noted that in one of your earlier posts, you expressed an interest in Indonesian poetry and Sri Lankan poetry. Hardly any Indonesian poetry in English exists, AFAIK (Li-Young Lee being a long-lost son). For Sri Lankan poetry in English, try Michael Ondaatje's poetry - I would recommend the collection "Handwriting" in particular.
Hey Gilbert, great catch on Li-Young Lee. Although he is of Chinese descent, one may argue that he is also Indonesian since he spent part of his childhood there.
Yes, I think the Indiana Review also came out with an "Asian-American" issue as well. I haven't had a chance to read either issues yet. The idea of lit mags coming out with "Asian" or "Asian-American" issues is a good idea for a future blog posts.
Wow, I must say that I'm almost pleasantly surprised that you think that I would be more interested in "Asian-American poetry" than "Asian poetry written in English." I was anticipating a critique that would've gone exactly the opposite way. I have written a lot, though, so you probably missed some of my earlier posts, sorry.
I'd recommend that you, and anyone out there who is interested, to read my ongoing negotiations over "What Is Asian-American Poetry?" If you look in the archive, you'll see that I've proposed many different possible definitions of "Asian-American poetry." That is, if you have the time, of course. :)
Arghhh! I'm not terribly fond of comments sometimes, because I feel like I want to edit to clarify. By that last remark about having the time, I meant that I have written a lot on the matter. I feel like I have been positing slightly shorter posts of late, though.
Hey Neil, yes, I've been focused on Xanga, but I overlooked Asian Avenue (and also the Rice Bowl Journals, though there's less "azn" poetry over there). I'd actually never heard of Generazn, but I'll check it out.
I definitely agree that there are varying grades of "azn" poetry. I think that there could be an interesting article/essay written on "azn" versus "Asian-American" poetry, especially as it relates to age, class, ethnicity, urban vs. non-urban, length of time in America, citizenship status, fluency in an Asian language, etc.
Hmmm...yeah I think that there could be a useful discussion on "Asian poets' poetry in English" vs. "Asian-American poetry" vs. "Azn poetry.
I think it's definitely possible to define "Asian-American poetry." Of course, all academic fields are defined wrongly. ;) (I'm hoping people out there get the joke.)
Thanks a lot for the recommendations! They've actually made me think a little more about "Asian-Canadian poetry" vs. "Asian-American poetry." I know relatively little about the former.
Hey Neil, Thanks a lot for the list!
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