When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities

LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY WINNER OF THE THOM GUNN AWARD FOR GAY POETRY WINNER OF THE GLCA NEW WRITERS AWARD WINNER OF THE A. POULIN, JR. POETRY PRIZE A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2017 SELECTION: POETRY & LITERATURE ON NPR BOOKS'S LIST OF "POETRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO: 2017'S BEST VERSE"In this ferocious and tender debut, Chen Chen investigates inherited forms of love and family--the strained relationship between a mother and son, the cost of necessary goodbyes--all from Asian American, immigrant, and queer perspectives. Holding all accountable, this collection fully embraces the loss, grief, and abundant joy that come with charting one's own path in identity, life, and love. In the Hospital My mother was in the hospital & everyone wanted to be my friend.But I was busy making a list: good dog, bad citizen, shortskeleton, tall mocha. Typical Tuesday.My mother was in the hospital & no one wanted to be her friend.Everyone wanted to be soft cooing sympath