Spotlight series #103 : Ellen Chang-Richardson

Curated by Canadian writer, editor and publisher rob mclennan, the “spotlight” series appears the first Monday of every month.

STATEMENT

When death happens suddenly, unexpectedly, we turn to poetry for solace.

grief, or love that brims
for Jacqueline “Jackie” E. Vink née Booth (1992–2024)

at weeping willow’s edge we linger
beneath its boughs, between its leaves
limbs laden with the sweet of full summer

wind our wrists around each other — carry(ing)
every text that you’ve given — holding you fast
fast in our hearts for miles vast and open

Ellen Chang-Richardson (they/them) is an award-winning poet of Taiwanese and Chinese Cambodian descent. The author/co-author of six poetry chapbooks, their multi-genre writing has appeared in literary journals across Turtle Island including Augur, Room, third coast magazine, Watch Your Head, and Plenitude. Blood Belies is their debut collection.