Foreword Of The Anthology Eyes Wide Open Poem by William He

Foreword Of 'Eyes Wide Open: Poems By William He'

In 'Eyes Wide Open', He Yu invites readers to embark on a journey through the vibrant and complex cityscape of Hong Kong, where the past and present collide, and the human experience unfolds in all its messy, beautiful glory. From the purple vapour that flows like a veil over the city's streets to the giant Ferris wheel that dominates the Central Harbourfront, He Yu's poetry is a masterclass in evoking the essence of a place and its people.

With a background in law and a passion for poetry, He Yu brings a unique perspective to his work, drawing on his own experiences as a native Chinese speaker and a student of English literature to craft poems that are both universally relatable and deeply personal. His use of imagery is breathtaking, conjuring up the sights and sounds of Hong Kong's bustling streets, its colonial-era landmarks, and its lush natural beauty. But beneath the surface of his poems lies a profound exploration of the human condition, with all its attendant joys, sorrows, and uncertainties.

One of the hallmarks of He Yu's poetry is its use of imagery and metaphor to explore themes that are both intensely personal and universally relevant. In 'Blue Melancholy of Hong Kong', for example, he uses the image of a Ferris wheel to describe the experience of time slipping away, leaving the speaker feeling lost and disconnected from the world around them. The idea that a person can step out of their own time and into another explores the complexities of memory and the passage of time.

Throughout the book, He Yu's poetry is characterized by its lyricism, its depth of feeling, and its willingness to explore the most difficult and profound aspects of human experience. Whether he is describing the vibrant colours of a sunset or the quiet, contemplative moments of vigil, he writes with a precision and sensitivity that is breathtaking and deeply moving.

In 'Eyes Wide Open', He Yu invites readers to join him on a journey of discovery, to look with fresh eyes at the world around them, and to explore the depths of their own hearts and minds. His poetry is a testament to the power of art to capture the essence of the human experience, and to the enduring beauty and complexity of the city he calls home.