Lananh Chu

Lananh Chu is a Vietnamese writer and maker. She/they stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine, Sudan, and Congo, who are resisting genocide and fighting for freedom from the river to the sea. Their writings can be found in Women’s Studies Quarterly, Diode, PR&TA journal, AJAR Press, Literature Across Frontiers, and The Margins, among others. Their occasionally-updated website: https://lananhchu.framer.website/

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Itineraries of clouds

following clouds to spilled seas. following clouds to drowned rivers. following clouds to where the wind ends. following wind to the dawn of whispers. following clouds to a tender breeze. following clouds to a willow tree. following trees to swing with shimmer. following trees to move patiently. following clouds across borders. following clouds further and further to return. following clouds to more returns. following clouds to roaring rivers to heavier hearts. following hearts to harbingers of spring uprisings. following churned rivers into a thousand waves. following waves to comb your fingers. following your fingers to comb the clouds. following your fingers, flesh, and foliage. following clouds to what has been said, what hasn’t been said, what is being said differently or similarly, what isn’t being said. following clouds to say softly, sadly, saltly, soothingly. following clouds into a shower. to drink the language of rivers. to speak, at least, in the language of cloud.

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Notes:

“Itineraries of clouds” was partly written in a workshop instructed by poets Nhã Thuyên and Alvin Pang. I thank them for their instruction and inspiration. “Itineraries of clouds” is loosely inspired by the rhythm of the Vietnamese song “Thuở theo nhau” by Hoàng Quốc Bảo.

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