Selected Poems Published in 1940s, 1970s, and 1980s

Although only a bit over a dozen poems were published and included on this page, in reality, throughout his life James Poy Wong had written the most poetry compared to other genres. There were three volumes of unpublished poetry remaining after his passing in 2020. As reflected in his “Foreword”, writing, especially in poetry was the very channel and vehicle for the young Wong to express and release his depressive state of mind, life and experience from his teenage years through his late 20s. The lack of poetic craft and the private sentiments expressed in these poems were the reasons Wong did not pursue publication of these works in the extant volumes. Wong’s ultra love for poetry is also evident in his study of poetry for his Master’s degree in English obtained in 1972. The additional proof of his great love for this genre is the hundreds of books on poetry - both in the Chinese traditions from the Tang and Song poetry to the contemporary exiled poet Bei Dao- as well as those from the Western traditions from W.B. Yeats to Erza Pound. After his passing, this collection was partially donated to the University of Alberta in 2022.

Subjects and themes reflected in Wong’s poetry include thoughts of life, phenomenon, sentiments related to war times, immigrant blues, separation of families and friends, loneliness, social alienation, death and suicide.

Title		Description
	"Commemmoration"	Questions and condemnations of war combined with appreciation of lives and lamentation of lives lost in war are presented in this poem through a formal commemoration of WWII fallen soldiers and heroes.
	"Seven Seven"	With anticipation of the imminent end to the battle, this poem expresses strong sentiments against the Sino-Japanese War that lasted for eight years.
	"Double Ten"	This poem presents a retrospective recollection of blood, fire, and sacrifice that occurred in the Chinese Revolution of 1911 on its 30th anniversary.
	"New Year"	Conveyed in this poem is a whirl of thoughts of wishes and uncertainty unique to wartime reality that a new year could bring upon people.
	"Lei, You Are Gone"	Anticipation of leaving and wishing for returning home are sentiments of one who has to eventually send a friend or family member away to war.
	"Hear Me Out"	Along with a tour into a mixture of discontent people and families have at home and soldiers abroad fighting a war, this poem presents a parody of calls for buying national bonds to fund the overseas battles.
	"Partition"	Social estrangement of urban life, emotional loneliness and lack of individual choice in family life, as well as description of suicide are expressed in this heart-wrenching poem.
	"A Cross At Intersection"	With suggestive images about life in Chinatown, this poem presents abstract expressions about being and being in between states of living and dying, alive and dead, and what is and is not (right).
	"Those Who Can't Swim"	A profound sense of despair and experience of emotional pain is subtly and allusively conveyed in this short poem.
	"Entanglement"	Presented in this poem are emotional attachments intricately connected with suggestive questions of individual empowerment for the unknown alternative of reality.
	"I Am A Person Grown by the Nurture of China"	This poem expresses strong emotions towards and deep cultural connection with the motherland China, conveying understanding of her past struggle and appreciation of her present state of progress.
	"A Huge Nameless Mountain"	A poetic personification commemorating a leader who has demonstrated personal strength, conviction, and sacrifice to serve as a model for all people.
	"Return"	A prose poem expressing a lament of being deceived, signifying an allusive awakening of one’s changing identity as one crosses national and cultural borders.
	"Farewell"	An emotional expression of the meaningful place of friendship in the author’s young life, as he bids farewell to another dear friend drafted to war.