Contributions
- Four Poems by Sarena Tien
Read four poems by poet Sarena Tien, our sixth biweekly poet of the Winter 2025 issue, along with a few words about the poem “Mother Tongue”.
About the Contributor
Sarena Tien is a queer Chinese American writer and doctor (the PhD kind). Once upon a time, she used to be so shy that two teachers argued whether she was a “low talker” or “no talker,” but she’s since learned how to scream. Her poetry and prose have appeared in The Rumpus, Snarl, The B’K, and Sylvia.
Follow Info
Recent Work
- Nonfiction: “Uprooting Words from a Buried Heart” (All My Relations)
- Poem: “A Doctoral Education” (Yellow Arrow Journal)
- Poem: “A Garden of Ghosts” (The B’K)
- Fiction: “August and Monday” (My Galvanized Friend)
Contributor Q & A
What do you want readers to know about your life?
For years, people thought it would be helpful to tell me that a French major and an MA and PhD in French Literature were useless. I’m happy to report that I’m gainfully employed in a job that I love despite those naysayers designating my degrees as impractical.
How long have you been a writer and how did you get started?
As a child, I was so shy that people in middle school used to make bets to see if they could make me talk. I sought solace in reading before realizing that I could also write. In college, I took writing classes with a wonderful professor who encouraged me to submit my work for publication. My first published piece was a personal essay that I wrote for one of her classes, followed by an article that won third place in a student travel writing contest.
What’s an accomplishment in your writing life that you’re proud of and goals that you still have?
I’m still over the moon about literary critic Stephanie Burt calling my first short story "a delight.” In terms of goals, while I’ve published a 225-page dissertation, I’d like to publish a longer creative piece someday, maybe a poetry chapbook or a novella (or dare I say, novel?).
Contents
Book Excerpt: The Prize of Québec by Jennifer Nelson
“I tend to lean into the transconstitutory powers of ekphrasis. … Only in poetry can one go to the moon in a way that critiques the quest for the moon.” Read a poem from Jennifer Nelson’s new collection from Fence Books, On the Way to the Paintings of Forest Robberies.
Chapbook Poem: This Is How They Teach Us How to Want It . . . by Shanta Lee
“This poem explores the levels of our participation in handing ourselves over, often to the people, places, or things that deserve no such delight.” Read a #poem from Shanta Lee’s new book from Harbor Editions, This Is How They Teach Us How to Want It . . . The Slaughter.
Three Poems by Jonathan Fletcher
“Instead of having to choose between religion or the LGBTQ community (which I know many member of the latter feel they have to do), I think it is possible (and maybe even biblical) to integrate both into one’s life.” Read three original poems from Jonathan Fletcher, along with words from the author.
What Happened? On You are Leaving the American Sector by Rebecca Foust
“Rebecca Foust’s new chapbook of poems has a strange prescience. … Foust isn’t alone in making the obvious connection between Trump’s first term and Orwell’s dystopia.” Read the full chapbook review by new contributor Rick Mullin.
‘What if we started creating together? What if we looked at who we are from the side and saw a much more complete and honest perspective?” Read four poems by poet Sarah E N Kohrs, along with words from the poet.