"And try to love the questions themselves… and perhaps gradually, without noticing it, you will live your way into the answer some distant day." –Rilke

"And try to love the questions themselves… and perhaps gradually, without noticing it, you will live your way into the answer some distant day."
–Rilke

"And try to love the questions themselves… and perhaps gradually, without noticing it, you will live your way into the answer some distant day."
–Rilke

It seems to be inside a mystery that language will undo, unravel, and recalculate in pursuit of shapes and permutations that feel more accurate of a container. This is what compels me to write poetry- that I might begin to inhabit the unknown, and find there a worthy companion for wonder and truth. I hold this openness as a prerequisite for meaning. And I am still journeying, into greater & wilder depths.

Published Works

Speaking & Teaching

  • 2023: Poet at the Gold Standard, an annual curated spoken word show in Los Angeles, part of the LA Get Down Spoken Word & Hip Hop Festival

  • 2020-2022: Co-Founder of Pezestrians Poetry Group, a community of poet-friends in Atlanta that hosted weekly poetry workshops, monthly open mics, and published the occasional chapbook under Sidewalk Poetry Press. See more at my co-founder Emma's website.

  • 2022: Facilitator/Creator of a Spoken Word Poetry Workshop, a workshop for high schoolers to start writing and performing their own spoken word poetry, and for teachers to use spoken word poetry as a tool for authenticity & freedom.

  • 2021: Poet at Worldwide Vigil for the Victims of the Atlanta Shooting

  • 2021: Inaugural poet at UX Hustle Summit

  • 2021: Guest on UX Hustle Podcast ("Poetry, UX, Identity, and Fear")

Copyright ©2023 Jessie Lian. All Rights Reserved.