eileen chengyin chow
@chowleen.bsky.social
@chowleen most elsewhere; my old tweets reappear here at odd times.
Duke prof, APSI Dir+DGS, Duke Story Lab founder. DUP Sinotheory, LAReviewOfBooks board. Shewo Institute 舍我紀念館 Director, Biographical Lit 傳記文學 publisher
周成蔭 #everynightapoem
Duke prof, APSI Dir+DGS, Duke Story Lab founder. DUP Sinotheory, LAReviewOfBooks board. Shewo Institute 舍我紀念館 Director, Biographical Lit 傳記文學 publisher
周成蔭 #everynightapoem
Pinned
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!
-Langston Hughes, from ‘Let America Be America Again’ (1935)
#everynightapoem
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!
-Langston Hughes, from ‘Let America Be America Again’ (1935)
#everynightapoem
![[Robert Mapplethorpe, 1977]
Black and white photograph of a weather-beaten flag](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rkgmcmrlwobvdajgjmxlvfya/bafkreieftrfp3euqi4l45fe3o2wdnbtpfm7n2z7rpbjwpgjjxnxemazpdq@jpeg)
July 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!
-Langston Hughes, from ‘Let America Be America Again’ (1935)
#everynightapoem
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!
-Langston Hughes, from ‘Let America Be America Again’ (1935)
#everynightapoem
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
I will share and share and share this poem until we all flower.
I, however,
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.
January 15, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I will share and share and share this poem until we all flower.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Folks, I'm telling you,
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
February 2, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Folks, I'm telling you,
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
Folks, I'm telling you,
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
February 2, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Folks, I'm telling you,
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
birthing is hard
and dying is mean–
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.
Langston Hughes, "Advice"
#everynightapoem #botd
[Robert Mapplethorpe, Tulip, 1985]
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Chinese edition cover for "The Poetry of the Negro 1746-1949"
Edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps, 1949.
(photo via Alexander Akin of Bolerium Books)
#bookcoverart
Edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps, 1949.
(photo via Alexander Akin of Bolerium Books)
#bookcoverart
November 18, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Chinese edition cover for "The Poetry of the Negro 1746-1949"
Edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps, 1949.
(photo via Alexander Akin of Bolerium Books)
#bookcoverart
Edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps, 1949.
(photo via Alexander Akin of Bolerium Books)
#bookcoverart
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Auden did something similar with LBJ, iirc, although he ended up accepting the award without a ceremony
WS Merwin wrote “Presidents” in 1970.
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
February 2, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Auden did something similar with LBJ, iirc, although he ended up accepting the award without a ceremony
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
This poem. Written in 1970.
The president of shame has his own flag
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
February 2, 2026 at 1:02 AM
This poem. Written in 1970.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
WS Merwin wrote “Presidents” in 1970.
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
November 18, 2024 at 10:31 AM
WS Merwin wrote “Presidents” in 1970.
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
The president of shame has his own flag
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
November 18, 2024 at 10:19 AM
The president of shame has his own flag
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
I think…more of this.
More calling attention to by declining prizes and awards and accolades and prestige and redirecting our grief.
More calling attention to by declining prizes and awards and accolades and prestige and redirecting our grief.
WS Merwin wrote “Presidents” in 1970.
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
In 1971, he declined a Pulitzer, citing the Vietnam War —“too conscious of being an American to accept public congratulation with good grace, or to welcome it except as an occasion for expressing openly a shame which many Americans feel."
February 2, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I think…more of this.
More calling attention to by declining prizes and awards and accolades and prestige and redirecting our grief.
More calling attention to by declining prizes and awards and accolades and prestige and redirecting our grief.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
there is no president of grief
it is a kingdom
W.S. Merwin
it is a kingdom
W.S. Merwin
The president of shame has his own flag
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
the president of lies quotes the voice
of God
at last counted
the president of loyalty recommends
blindness to the blind
-W.S. Merwin, “Presidents”
#everynightapoem #impeach
February 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
there is no president of grief
it is a kingdom
W.S. Merwin
it is a kingdom
W.S. Merwin
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
A snowy North Carolina from space this morning. 😍
February 1, 2026 at 8:16 PM
A snowy North Carolina from space this morning. 😍
This morning there’s snow everywhere.
——
As if we knew what the other was feeling. We don’t,
of course. We never do. No matter.
It’s the tenderness I care about.
-Raymond Carver, from "The Gift"
#everynightapoem #thismorning
——
As if we knew what the other was feeling. We don’t,
of course. We never do. No matter.
It’s the tenderness I care about.
-Raymond Carver, from "The Gift"
#everynightapoem #thismorning
February 1, 2026 at 12:25 PM
This morning there’s snow everywhere.
——
As if we knew what the other was feeling. We don’t,
of course. We never do. No matter.
It’s the tenderness I care about.
-Raymond Carver, from "The Gift"
#everynightapoem #thismorning
——
As if we knew what the other was feeling. We don’t,
of course. We never do. No matter.
It’s the tenderness I care about.
-Raymond Carver, from "The Gift"
#everynightapoem #thismorning
スノーエンジェル
(southern snowstorm)
(southern snowstorm)
February 1, 2026 at 3:47 AM
スノーエンジェル
(southern snowstorm)
(southern snowstorm)
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Minneapolis, MN -
The vigil for Alex Pretti on E 26th and Nicollet currently. Every day I’ve visited, it noticeably grows. Several stores here are still closed for businesses; a few of them have switched into mutual aid centers and continue to provide hand warmers and the like.
The vigil for Alex Pretti on E 26th and Nicollet currently. Every day I’ve visited, it noticeably grows. Several stores here are still closed for businesses; a few of them have switched into mutual aid centers and continue to provide hand warmers and the like.
January 31, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Minneapolis, MN -
The vigil for Alex Pretti on E 26th and Nicollet currently. Every day I’ve visited, it noticeably grows. Several stores here are still closed for businesses; a few of them have switched into mutual aid centers and continue to provide hand warmers and the like.
The vigil for Alex Pretti on E 26th and Nicollet currently. Every day I’ve visited, it noticeably grows. Several stores here are still closed for businesses; a few of them have switched into mutual aid centers and continue to provide hand warmers and the like.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
January 30, 2026 at 10:32 PM
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Tell them Liam is five. Tell them that ICE stole his Spider-Man backpack & rabbit ear hat. Tell him his middle name means "rabbit." Tell him he has a fever and misses his mother. Tell them he's five. Ask them - those individual staffers - what they're doing to make sure this boy is freed.
reps.fyi
reps.fyi
Find Your Representative
Find your representatives. Learn how to find and connect with them. Stay informed about their bills, committees, and contributions.
reps.fyi
January 31, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Tell them Liam is five. Tell them that ICE stole his Spider-Man backpack & rabbit ear hat. Tell him his middle name means "rabbit." Tell him he has a fever and misses his mother. Tell them he's five. Ask them - those individual staffers - what they're doing to make sure this boy is freed.
reps.fyi
reps.fyi
Again, today
And winter sheds its grief in snow
-Emily Brontë, (borrowing the single line I like from her poem) “Sympathy”
#everynightapoem #fragment
-Emily Brontë, (borrowing the single line I like from her poem) “Sympathy”
#everynightapoem #fragment
January 31, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Again, today
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
couple more angles on this
January 31, 2026 at 9:58 PM
couple more angles on this
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
at least 67 people protesting in jackson hole so far
January 31, 2026 at 6:15 PM
at least 67 people protesting in jackson hole so far
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
An article on Jackson’s Korematsu dissent:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
A Commander's Power, a Civilian's Reason: Justice Jackson's Korematsu Dissent
This article considers Justice Robert H. Jackson's great but less than completely remembered December 1944 dissenting opinion in Korematsu v. United States. As
papers.ssrn.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:52 PM
An article on Jackson’s Korematsu dissent:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
if you would like to teach your kids more about this amazing American, may I suggest FRED KOREMATSU SPEAKS UP?
amzn.to/3OeHcyG
amzn.to/3OeHcyG
January 31, 2026 at 8:11 PM
if you would like to teach your kids more about this amazing American, may I suggest FRED KOREMATSU SPEAKS UP?
amzn.to/3OeHcyG
amzn.to/3OeHcyG
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
The US federal government has denied a lot of Americans their constitutional rights under conditions it wrongly felt justified the action. This was one of them. The government is making that mistake again and is costing Americans their lives. We expect better from our government.
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 2:12 AM
The US federal government has denied a lot of Americans their constitutional rights under conditions it wrongly felt justified the action. This was one of them. The government is making that mistake again and is costing Americans their lives. We expect better from our government.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
He was only 23 when he was arrested. It always sticks out to me how he was so brave so young.
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 6:39 AM
He was only 23 when he was arrested. It always sticks out to me how he was so brave so young.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Extraordinary; thanks @annetteyreed.bsky.social for this vital historical information.
At least he had his opposition on record.
My first art teacher, Ruth Asawa, (now on exhibit @ MoMA), said it was being imprisoned fby her own country that taught her the importance of arts in education.
At least he had his opposition on record.
My first art teacher, Ruth Asawa, (now on exhibit @ MoMA), said it was being imprisoned fby her own country that taught her the importance of arts in education.
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
- Fred Korematsu
Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Extraordinary; thanks @annetteyreed.bsky.social for this vital historical information.
At least he had his opposition on record.
My first art teacher, Ruth Asawa, (now on exhibit @ MoMA), said it was being imprisoned fby her own country that taught her the importance of arts in education.
At least he had his opposition on record.
My first art teacher, Ruth Asawa, (now on exhibit @ MoMA), said it was being imprisoned fby her own country that taught her the importance of arts in education.