Three poems by Li-Young Lee: A Story, Early in the Morning, and The Gift, from ROSE (1986) and from THE CITY IN WHICH I LOVE YOU (1990), reproduced with permission of BOA Editions, Ltd.

The City in Which I Loved You I love to read...poetry as well as prose. Li-Young Lee is one of my favorite poets, and the following always sends shivers down my spine... And when, in the city in which I love you, even my most excellent song goes unanswered, andI mount the scabbed streets, the long shouts of avenues, and tunnel sunken night in search of you... That I negotiate fog, bituminous ...