5 a.m.

Beijing 2015

This poem is about the transformation of a person through life, when they are not perfect but are gradually becoming a better person every day. It was inspired by the writer waking up at 5 a.m. when the sunlight is just starting to change night into day.

 

Broken Houses

Beijing 2015

The writer would pass broken houses on her commute every week. This poem is a conversation between her and Jesus, who she acknowledges has saved her from her brokeness and has given her new life.

 

Re-engineered

Montreal 2013

The title piece of this book was written after a period of transformation that the writer experienced. The difficult time taught her to see the world differently, especially issues in social justice. This poem marked the end of a painful but eye-opening era in her life.

 

Second Chance

Beijing 2015

The writer aimed for a short, simple poem that portrays the joy of being able to start over again after failure. This poem was inspired by her experience working in China after more than a year of employment difficulties.

 

The Phoenix Effect

Montreal 2012

This poem was written during a dark time of transition in the writer's life (the same era described in Re-engineered). This poem was to help her come to grips with her experience and come out of it a stronger person.