Jenny Xie doesn't just bring in themes we've touched on before, she brings her presence. There is absolutely no way to read these poems without feeling cold. I sat in the hot library flipping through pages of this book but still managed to feel the goosebumps when I touched my arm. It is simply "one of those readings." The entire book was meant for a larger audience, and I truly hope that is what it gets.
My two favorite poems, among many others are "Deja Vu" & "Invisible Relations." These two were the ones that gave me jaw dropping, having to realize my mouth has been open for too long moments. They were rich and straight to the point. Don't mess with Jenny Xie!
Deja Vu reminded me of a Netflix documentary "Miss Representation," which I highly recommend. This poem felt like it seemed to address women identifying individuals and their role in regard to other women. "Between them pass words and murmurs - that fasten quite close to the ground." This line is amazing, it serves to acknowledge the comments made between each other in passing. I felt as if I were at a supermarket and passed by women along the way, this may be a long reach but how many times have I looked to the ground or sent my words off to the ground once I spoke to them? Not enough for me to count. The tittle doesn't necessarily mean an actual Deja Vu occurred, well at least in my opinion. It seemed to serve a suggestion the numerous amount of times this situation happens, it begins to blur into one another.
Invisible Relations was very strong, it reminded me of the saying "words get lost in translation" or the game telephone. The first line, "There are no simple stories, because language forces distances," gives the entire piece a sense of rhythm. Here she talks about borders, language, a lifestyle, etc. Xie exhibits the importance of storytelling from the generation/roots it comes from. There is no point in someone telling YOUR story when you can tell it yourself right? I mean, wouldn't it be better?! She even tackles this notion by saying, "...you are being stitched into a storyline in the smooth lobe of another's mind." Damn!
Jenny Xie, we appreciate writers like you and know that your voice is heard by not just an English 152 class in Oakland Ca, but everyone.
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