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
I'm starting to come to terms with the idea that it will in fact be normal to start crying anytime, anywhere for the foreseeable future.
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:44 PM
I'm starting to come to terms with the idea that it will in fact be normal to start crying anytime, anywhere for the foreseeable future.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
A lot of people cannot just start a paid newsletter or become freelancers to sustain their careers. The sports, metro, and international desks did work that requires *team* resources, like legal checks, documents, access to archives, and long-term beat experience.
February 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
A lot of people cannot just start a paid newsletter or become freelancers to sustain their careers. The sports, metro, and international desks did work that requires *team* resources, like legal checks, documents, access to archives, and long-term beat experience.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
A pair of happy hammerhead sharks
(ca. 1735 Edo period Japan)
(ca. 1735 Edo period Japan)
December 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A pair of happy hammerhead sharks
(ca. 1735 Edo period Japan)
(ca. 1735 Edo period Japan)
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
February 4, 2026 at 3:50 AM
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Go Minnesota.
Power of the people.
Power of the people.
A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Nearly 30,000 Minnesotans trained as constitutional observers
The Immigrant Defense Network works with more than 100 organizations to help train constitutional observers. At the end of November, there were 2,500 trained observers. That number has soared as more ...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Go Minnesota.
Power of the people.
Power of the people.
this has been the most excruciating part of it all
"And all of this is happening not after the great shocks of a depression or a world war, not at a time when the country was reeling from earth-shattering events...The rise of Trump came at a time of relative peace and prosperity. We have no excuse for having succumbed to the degree we already have."
February 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
this has been the most excruciating part of it all
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
A book of many things I didn't hear about in school, relevant to current horrors. We say we fought the Nazis, and we did. We also grew a lot of Nazis at home, before the war, absorbed useful Nazis afterward, and committed a(nother) massive campaign of legalized racial persecution. Things rhyme.
January 31, 2026 at 9:34 PM
A book of many things I didn't hear about in school, relevant to current horrors. We say we fought the Nazis, and we did. We also grew a lot of Nazis at home, before the war, absorbed useful Nazis afterward, and committed a(nother) massive campaign of legalized racial persecution. Things rhyme.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
I’ve always been the most enthusiastic couch potato sports fan since I was a little kid, and my joy could never be dampened by the corniest of nationalisms and absurdities (I mean, I cheer for “Chinese Taipei” 🇹🇼)
But now? Please world, boycott the U.S. hosting of the FIFA World Cup. And Olympics.
But now? Please world, boycott the U.S. hosting of the FIFA World Cup. And Olympics.
January 26, 2026 at 8:59 PM
I’ve always been the most enthusiastic couch potato sports fan since I was a little kid, and my joy could never be dampened by the corniest of nationalisms and absurdities (I mean, I cheer for “Chinese Taipei” 🇹🇼)
But now? Please world, boycott the U.S. hosting of the FIFA World Cup. And Olympics.
But now? Please world, boycott the U.S. hosting of the FIFA World Cup. And Olympics.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, the Montreal Canadians are hiding from ICE in their hotel.
United States cannot host the World Cup.
Nations must boycott this. Wherever you are in the world, write your politicians and say they should boycott all games playing in the United States, only play Canada/Mex.
United States cannot host the World Cup.
Nations must boycott this. Wherever you are in the world, write your politicians and say they should boycott all games playing in the United States, only play Canada/Mex.
Montreal Canadiens Hide From ICE Ahead of Minneapolis Game
The NHL team is under a self-imposed lockdown in order to avoid the masked ICE agents roaming the streets of Minneapolis.
newrepublic.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, the Montreal Canadians are hiding from ICE in their hotel.
United States cannot host the World Cup.
Nations must boycott this. Wherever you are in the world, write your politicians and say they should boycott all games playing in the United States, only play Canada/Mex.
United States cannot host the World Cup.
Nations must boycott this. Wherever you are in the world, write your politicians and say they should boycott all games playing in the United States, only play Canada/Mex.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Columbia administration looking especially craven and incompetent about now.
February 3, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Columbia administration looking especially craven and incompetent about now.
Reposted by eileen chengyin chow
Februate [FEB-roo-ayt]
(v.)
- To purify, cleanse, or rejuvenate, esp. in a ritual or ceremonial context.
Used in a sentence:
“He simmered orange peel, cloves, and cedar needles on the stove to februate the home with a sweetness that felt almost like magic.”
(v.)
- To purify, cleanse, or rejuvenate, esp. in a ritual or ceremonial context.
Used in a sentence:
“He simmered orange peel, cloves, and cedar needles on the stove to februate the home with a sweetness that felt almost like magic.”
February 2, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Februate [FEB-roo-ayt]
(v.)
- To purify, cleanse, or rejuvenate, esp. in a ritual or ceremonial context.
Used in a sentence:
“He simmered orange peel, cloves, and cedar needles on the stove to februate the home with a sweetness that felt almost like magic.”
(v.)
- To purify, cleanse, or rejuvenate, esp. in a ritual or ceremonial context.
Used in a sentence:
“He simmered orange peel, cloves, and cedar needles on the stove to februate the home with a sweetness that felt almost like magic.”
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)