Discover Ha Kiet Chau's Poetry: Eleven Miles To June
What does it mean to come undone? For poet Ha Kiet Chau, its a journey, a transformation, a vibrant exploration of selfhood rendered in ink and verse. Chaus work doesn't shy away from the raw, the visceral, the deeply personal; it embraces the complexities of womanhood with unflinching honesty.
From the sun-drenched streets of Oakland, California, emerges a voice both delicate and powerful. Ha Kiet Chau, a UCLA Extension Writers Program scholarship recipient and nominee for the Pushcart Prize, Best New Poets, and Best of the Net, crafts poetry that resonates with the rhythm of lived experience. Her work explores the nuances of identity, tracing the delicate threads that connect childhood dreams to the realities of adulthood. Her debut collection, Eleven Miles to June (Green Writers Press, 2021), is a testament to this journey, a poignant exploration of a woman's evolution rendered in vivid technicolor and evocative sound. It's a coming-of-age story told not through narrative, but through fragments of memory, sharp images, and the subtle shifts in perspective that mark the passage of time.
| Name | Ha Kiet Chau |
|---|---|
| Profession | Poet, Author |
| Birthplace | Northern California |
| Residence | Oakland, California |
| Education | UCLA Extension Writers Program |
| Publications | Eleven Miles to June (Green Writers Press, 2021), Woman Come Undone (Mouthfeel Press, 2014) |
| Notable Publications | Ploughshares, Asia Literary Review, New Madrid, Tule Review, Columbia College Literary Review, Clarion, Great Weather for Media, Glassworks Magazine, Up the Staircase Quarterly, Mission at Tenth, Sierra Nevada Review, Kalyani Magazine |
| Awards and Recognition | UCLA Extension Writers Program Scholarship Recipient, Pushcart Prize Nominee, Best New Poets Nominee, Best of the Net Nominee |
| Website | Green Writers Press Author Page |
Chaus poetry doesnt shy away from the difficult. She delves into the messy, the uncomfortable, the often-unseen aspects of a womans life. The glass appearance of a woman rendered unrecognizable, the desire to shampoo her matted hair, zip up her bellbottom trousers these are images that linger, hinting at stories untold, at vulnerabilities carefully concealed beneath the surface. Her work is a testament to the power of witnessing, of acknowledging the quiet struggles and triumphs that shape us all.
Beyond Eleven Miles to June, Chaus earlier collection, Woman Come Undone (Mouthfeel Press, 2014), further solidifies her distinct voice. The title itself speaks to the unraveling, the deconstruction, and the ultimate rebuilding that marks personal growth. Her poems have found homes in numerous literary magazines across the U.S., UK, and Asia, a testament to the universality of her themes and the evocative nature of her language. From the evocative imagery of "snow in Brooklyn" to the introspective musings sparked by "thinking of someone," Chau's work captures the ephemeral beauty of everyday moments, transforming them into something profound and enduring.
Chau's writing is characterized by its precision and its emotional depth. She weaves together sensory details, creating a tapestry of experiences that resonate deeply with the reader. The "velvety, almost sticky feel of golden, spotted ephemeral pages" evokes a sense of nostalgia, of time passing too quickly, of memories fading like ink on aging paper. Her poems are an invitation to slow down, to pay attention to the subtle shifts and nuances that often go unnoticed in the rush of daily life.
Ha Kiet Chau's work is a testament to the transformative power of poetry. Its a celebration of womanhood in all its complexities, a journey through the landscapes of memory and experience, and a reminder that even in the process of coming undone, there is beauty, resilience, and the promise of becoming whole.
Her journey as a writer reflects a dedication to craft and a deep commitment to exploring the human condition. It is a journey marked by perseverance, by a willingness to delve into the depths of emotion and emerge with words that illuminate the hidden corners of our lives. Ha Kiet Chaus poetry is not merely a collection of words on a page; it is a living, breathing testament to the power of language to connect us, to challenge us, and to remind us of the shared humanity that binds us together.
