Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency

This poignant collection explores family, identity, and resilience during challenging times. Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency offers a unique perspective on connection.

In Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency, Chen Chen delves into the complexities of family dynamics, exploring the bonds that tie us together—both those we are born into and those we choose. As a queer Asian American navigating a tumultuous era marked by political upheaval, mass shootings, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Chen's poetry reflects a poignant and timely examination of identity and resilience. The collection invites readers to consider what we inherit from our families and what we create for ourselves amidst chaos.

The poems in this collection are characterized by a unique blend of unexpected playfulness and irrepressible humor. Chen Chen's voice resonates with authenticity as he grapples with the notion of support systems, questioning what happens when those we rely on are themselves in need of help. The exploration of these themes unfolds across various settings, from New England to West Texas and even a landlocked province in China, illustrating the diverse experiences that shape our understanding of family.

Ultimately, Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency transcends conventional boundaries, refusing to offer simple answers. Instead, it fosters an insatiable curiosity about how we can continue to support one another in trying times. Through this collection, Chen Chen celebrates the beauty of life and connection, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, there are ways to hold each other close.