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Li-Young Lee

Li-Young Lee
Photo by Donna Lee

Li-Young Lee

Born: 19 August 1957

Li-Young Lee (he/him) is a poet and the author of The Invention of the Darling (W. W. Norton, 2024); The Undressing (W. W. Norton, 2018); Behind My Eyes (W. W. Norton, 2009); From Blossoms: Selected Poems (Bloodaxe, 2007); Book of My Nights (BOA Editions, 2001), winner of a William Carlos Williams award; The City in Which I Love You (BOA Editions, 1990), winner of a Laughlin Award; and Rose (BOA Editions, 1986), winner of a Delmore Schwartz Memorial Poetry Award from New York University. He also wrote the memoir The Winged Seed: A Remembrance (BOA Editions, 1995), and cotranslated the Dao De Jing of Laozi with Yun Wang (W. W. Norton, 2024). Lee has taught at universities including Northwestern University and the University of Iowa. He lives in Chicago and is an American citizen. (Source)

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Poems by Li-Young Lee

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Braiding by Li-Young Lee

February 2, 2026
“Love, how the hours accumulate. Uncountable. / The trees grow tall, some people walk away / and diminish forever.” — Li-Young Lee
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From Blossoms by Li-Young Lee

December 19, 2020
“Love, how the hours accumulate. Uncountable. / The trees grow tall, some people walk away / and diminish forever.” — Li-Young Lee
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One Heart by Li-Young Lee

September 13, 2011
"The work of wings / was always freedom," – Li-Young Lee
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Irises by Li-Young Lee

January 10, 2011
"They hold / their breath all their lives / and open, open." — Li-Young Lee
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Persimmons by Li-Young Lee

December 31, 2010
"My mother said every persimmon has a sun / inside, something golden, glowing, / warm as my face." — Li-Young Lee
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Little Father by Li-Young Lee

June 20, 2010
“I buried my father in my heart. / Now he grows in me, my strange son,” — Li-Young Lee
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The Hour and What Is Dead by Li-Young Lee

August 3, 2008
“At this hour, what is dead is restless / and what is living is burning.” — Li-Young Lee
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This Room and Everything in It by Li-Young Lee

September 23, 2005
“I'll close my eyes / and recall this room and everything in it: / My body is estrangement. / This desire, perfection.” — Li-Young Lee
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The Gift by Li-Young Lee

September 5, 2005
“Had you followed that boy / you would have arrived here, / where I bend over my wife's right hand.” – Li-Young Lee
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Early in the Morning by Li-Young Lee

September 4, 2005
"But I know / it is because of the way / my mother's hair falls / when he pulls the pins out." – Li-Young Lee