Early in the Morning

An Interview with Li-Young Lee by Matthew Fluharty (2000)

In this interview published by the Missouri Review, interviewer Matthew Fluharty asks Li-Young Lee a series of questions ranging from personal history to poetic inspiration and spiritual practice. The interview provides insight into Lee’s philosophies about art and poetry and also addresses political questions about immigration, race, and cultural identity. Lee’s responses reveal his preference to avoid politics, stating “I just stay away from it all... It’s not interesting, ultimately.” Lee maintains that his focus is about expanding consciousness and creating art.

“Transcultural Poetics: Dissolving Borders in the Poetry of Li-Young Lee“ by Hend Hamed Ezzeldin (2017)

In this article, Ezzeldin argues that Lee’s poetry remains universal through his dedication to the metaphysical. By transcending time and space, Lee manages to embrace deeper spiritual truths that consciously exclude the cultural by creating bonds between himself and the rest of the world. The article examines concepts of the self vs. the other, suggesting that universality lies in the dissolution of these borders. Ezzeldin suggests that Lee achieves such universality by using his memory to write poetry that is deeply personal.

“The Poetry of Li-Young Lee: Identity, Androgyny & Feminism” by Barbara Qualls (1993)

Barbara Qualls examines Li-Young Lee’s work through a feminist lens. In her article, Qualls argues that Lee’s poems inhabit an androgynous voice: one that is both masculine and feminine. She suggests that unlike other gender-identifying male poets, Lee is not as interested in phallocentricism—or, the penis as being a symbol of male dominance—but is more invested in occupying a gender-neutral expression. Though this article was published in the early 90s, Qualls’ theories about Lee’s poetry invite contemporary discussions on gender expression and identity.