Asian American Poet: Nellie Wong

Nellie Wong is an Asian American Poet who was born in Oakland. During World War 2 she was subjected to racism due to the conflict in Japan that most Asian Americans went through at that time. She graduated from Oakland High School and went to work as a secretary.
Nellie Wong became interested in Creative Writing at SFSU! She published her poetry shortly after. She was involved in the Women’s Writers Union on campus. She is a feminist and activist for social causes.

Here is a Poem by Nellie Wong!

Mama, Come Back

Mama, come back.Why did you leavenow that I am learning you?The landlady next doorhow she apologizesfor my rough brown skinto her tenant from Hong Kongas if I were her daughter,as if she were you.How do I say I miss youyour scoldingyour presenceyour roast loin of porkmore succulent, more tenderthan any hotel chef's?The fur coat you wanted making you look like a polar bearand the mink-trimmed coatI once surprised youon Christmas morning.Mama, how you said "importment"for important,your gold tooth flashingan insecurity you dared not bare,wanting recognitionsimply as eating noodlesand riding in a motor carto the supermarketthe movie theateradorned in your gold and jadeas if all your jewelryconfirmed your identitya Chinese woman in America.How you said "you better"always your last wordsglazed through your dark eyesfollowing me fast as you couldone November evening in New York Cityhow I thought "Hello, Dolly!"showed you an America you never saw.How your fear of being alonekept me dutiful in bodyresentful in mind.How my fear of being singlekept mefrom moving out.How I begged your forgivenessafter that one big fighthow I wasn't wrongbut needed you to love meas warmly as you hugged strangers.

Nellie Wong


****Heather Grinnell*****