Funeral Songs
16 poems on grief. Writings on the deaths of Lieu’s grandmother, father and uncle—who passed away within eight months of one another—and friends she’s lost throughout the years. Her poems speak on the myriad emotions that emerge from experiencing the death of loved ones while deconstructing the unfamiliar rituals of her multi-layered culture.
Story at the Funeral, Make the Arrangements, over there, Fuck the Flowers, womb, Life After Debt, How I remembered you best:, dream of peace, Teeth to Eat, Untitled (because), Pills for Dinner, The Great Wall, Search with no answers, temple, Tomb Sweeping, The same but different.
(Handmade from top to bottom, so covers may vary slightly.)
“Kimberly Lieu’s FUNERAL SONGS contains some of the best poetry I’ve read. Witness the beautiful words on the pages of this volume as they soothe your spirit out of grief.” ~ V. Kali of The World Stage
Teeth to Eat
For the 100th day
Ceremony
The monks chanted
extra long.
Her portrait smiled
and for the first time
she was up there all alone.
The cakes my mother
bought were neatly
arranged to the left of the frame.
The fat little bananas
were to the right
The smoke of the incense floated up
with the offering of
tea and shitakes
of rice and bitter melon so that you
may still eat.
I hope you have teeth to eat.
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