"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
GIVING IN: my debut poetry collection available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Bookshop.org
Star82 Review: "Wintering Sun" and "The faucet is leaking dear"
Hot Pot Magazine: "How to make dumplings"
The Los Angeles Press: "Heaven Now", "Excessive Heat Warning"
Curio Cabinet Magazine: "Breadcrumbs"
Wildroof Journal: "Love, a Shapeshifter"
ABC's of AAPI Coloring Book: A coloring book made in partnership with the Asian American Advocacy Fund, featuring beautiful illustrations & stories about historical & present-day AAPI legends. Read more.
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.