American Laodyssey coming this Summer

American Laodyssey 4 years after the best-selling Before We Remember We Dream, Sahtu Press is pleased to announce the release of American Laodyssey later this summer marking a collaboration with Lao American poet Bryan Thao Worra and visual artist Bay Koulabdara looking back on the first 50 years of the Lao in the United States. 

This poetry collection contains 55 selections of previously uncollected works and popular poems that have been the subject of academic papers, artistic responses, museum exhibitions, festivals and more. It will also contain a variety of resources for teachers and community builders to share with students and families alike. 

BEFORE WE REMEMBER WE DREAM available now from Sahtu Press

 

My new collection BEFORE WE REMEMBER WE DREAM is available now from Sahtu Press. 

This is my first book in a hard-copy format in 7 years since DEMONSTRA with the Lao American visual artist Vongduane Manivong. 

This new collection features original art by Nor Sanavongsay and blends memoir and Southeast Asian history, myth, horror and science fiction to examine 45 years of the Lao diaspora. It has a cover by the award-winning Lao American artist Sisavanh Phouthavong Houghton.

These 55 poems focus largely on 1973 to the present from the banks of the Mekong River during the Secret War for Laos to unexpected intersections of Southeast Asian history in the small towns of America and Asian American history. Tragedy, humor, memory and dreams collide to provide readers an understanding of what has been, and what might be.

Inauguration Day Note

So that we can remember: On Inauguration Day 1/20/2017, Gas was $2.09. The Dow 19,819 and NASDAQ 5560.7. Our Unemployment rate was 4.7%.  Where are we now? Work for the change you want for the next 4 years ahead.

Recent Lao Poems From The Diaspora

It's been a few months since my last post here, but just for the fun of it, here's a few of the new poems that have been coming up while I work on my latest projects to address the refugee imagination for Laotians around the world through poetry, visual art, and interdisciplinary activities. What are some of your favorite poems from Laos? Who are some of your favorite poets, and what do you like to read in their poetry?