studied languages at Columbia University, and worked as a bartender, a night concierge, and a high-school Spanish teacher while she devoted herself to the art and poetry of East Asia. She lets Du Fu, who has for many years spoken to her, here speak for her,

I’ve done now with waiting on line
to apply for jobs that don’t even exist.
For me, the authorities no longer have rewards
to offer or punishments to threaten.

I stare at a white gull, flying out to sea,
sinking out of sight in the limitless azure,
drunk with distance, untamed,
who never knew a cage.