Yan-Yin K. Choy (pronouns: she/they; pronounced: Y-UHH-N Y-EeE-N CH-OYY) is a writer, poet, artist, and civic technologist based on Ohlone land, in the East Bay Area of California. Learn more.
Buy the Asian American Healing in Nature Walk Guide
Their poem, Laundry and Taxes, is published in this anthology by Chopsticks Alley Art and Peninsula Open Space Trust.
In this anthology you will find art and poetry by Asian creatives from the Bay Area, along with poetry prompts, meditation prompts and guides to Bay Area trails and parks.
Poetry
Published in Asian American Healing in Nature Walk Guide.
Laundry and Taxes
By Yan-Yin K. ChoyA storm of emotions sweeping through the golden mountains,
I am the moonlit tumultuous tide,
rolling in and reflecting deep, deep joy,
rolling out and reflecting deep, deep sorrow.
I am the swaying bay laurel trees that thrums and bends,
a spicy aroma wafting into my nostrils.
I am the wave that dances under the moonlight,
unlearning the colonial myth
that I am undeserving of rest, celebration, and support.
I am the sweet, soft lush native grass,
a cushion for your fall on your family hikes.
I am the flap of dragon wings ushering forth rain on the Ohlone land,
waterfalls flowing heavier, like the roaring sound of my heartbeat post-heartbreak: growing stronger.
I am the unbounded possibility of future,
my ancestors' wildest dreams unleashed.
I am the fragrant incense and plume of smoke drifting through the air,
as we pay homage with offerings
of sweet and fluffy Char Siu Bao,
of crispy roast duck,
of strong Iron Goddess tea, and
of steamed shiitake mushrooms, snap peas, and bok choy,
all for my elders in the spiritual realm.
I am the abyss of memory,
secrets collected under the watchful eye of forests and mountains on Ohlone land.
I am the kaleidoscope of soft sunset, every color representing the variations of my life in the multiverse.
I am the vast salt marshes, with bay tides gently dancing under the sunset,
grounded in the love abundant in my life,
I embrace that this is the universe where I'm meant to be.
I am the glow of containing all of this turmoil,
Alchemizing into a flock of marsh wrens, singing their playful songs,
soaring high, high, high.
Maa Maa's Hands
By Yan-Yin K. ChoyStrong scent of Chinese herbal white flower oil brings me back
Back to her hands rubbing over my belly whenever I got sick.
Back to her hands demonstrating how to make char siu bao.
Back to her hands pressed firmly on her hips as we rolled our hips in circles.
Back to her hands caressing my forehead lulling me into an afternoon nap.
Back to her hands showing me dried pomelo skins that she’s going to turn into crunchy bites in a stir fry.
Back to her hands deftly knitting sweaters, scarves and vests for me to don at school.
Back to her hands hiding her mouth as she giggled about a special moonlit memory.
I was born with my grandmother’s hands,
Deep grooves and a million lines intersecting.
I miss you Maa Maa.
Tiramisu
By Yan-Yin K. ChoyI miss you so
Like how my parched flakey skin misses cocoa butter moisturizer.
I miss you so
Like how after a bite of sticky rice lotus leaf wrapped dumpling, my mouth misses the sweet refreshing cup of jasmine tea.
I miss you so
Like how after a particularly long day, my worn eyes miss your tender gaze.
I miss you so
Like how after a year hiatus of biking, my body misses the thrill of wind in my face as I fly down the road, standing on the pedals.
I miss you so
Like how my stuffed nose misses the fragrance of lilac chrysanthemums, a small bouquet adorning the table.
I miss you so
Like how our bodies miss our shadows when we dance.
月圓團圓 (Full Moon Reunion)
By Yan-Yin K. ChoyI'm here, even when invisible to the eye.
Can you feel the depths of my shadow?
Can you feel the glow of my light?
Tonight I am full-bodied,
family reunion -- sweet mooncake, luminous lanterns and laughter abundant,
I am Invitation,
for a reunion with yourself -- what have you held onto that you can release with me?
Shimmery reflection in ocean waves,
Shifting tides with the sound of thunder,
Will you hear my roaring reminder
that you are not alone
and you are so loved.
Your whole self is worthy of embrace,
Trust, I see your potential for growth
while navigating the chaos of change.
You have survived this past lunar cycle,
and you will thrive in this cycle of the moon.
A poem that Yan-Yin wrote in response to the rise in attacks on Asian communities. Rest in peace, Michelle Alyssa Go, whose life was ended early by an act of hate and violence.
We Belong Here
By Yan-Yin K. ChoyI want to live in a world where the people I love can be safe
Safe to get their groceries,
Safe to take public transit,
Safe to go to school,
Safe to walk their dog,
Safe to sit in the park, alone.
Safe to exist in this world.
Every time I see a story about another attack against an Asian Pacific Islander,
My heart crumbles...
PTSD threatens to return.
With bated breath, I wonder -
Will it be my family next?
Will it be my parents?
Will it be my sibling?
Will it be my elders?
Will it be my aunties and uncles?
Will it be my cousins?
Will it be my friend?
Will it be me?
I'm tired of this turmoil.
I'm tired of this constant state of hypervigiliance.
I'm tired of being objectified, overlooked, and scapegoated.
We are not your toy.
We are not your enemy.
We are human beings,
Just like you, mortal person.
So grow a heart,
Listen to us.
See us.
And accept that
We belong here.
Meet me at our sacred space
By Yan-Yin K. Choymeet me at our secret space
cherish a sacred place
where the ferns and river meet
where the water is ice cold refreshing
where our inner child bursts out to play
where there is refuge from climate change induced smoky skies
where tears are shed and pain released
where sage wisdom emits from within
where love unleashed, flows
where we travel to the time of the game of trees.
Art
Love Heals My Wounded Selves, a watercolor painting by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
I'm Not Alone, a digital illustration of T'Challa and Shuri, inspired by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Ji-yeong and Kang Sae-byeok, a pencil sketch inspired by Squid Game. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Sketch of Agent 355 and Dr. Mann in the post-apocalypse, inspired by the live adaptation of Y: The Last Man. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Watercolor painting of water running through rocks, surrounded by redwood trees at the creek in Nisene Marks State Park, on Amah Mutsun land. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Watercolor painting of rolling green fields, blooming orange poppies and expansive blue sky at Almaden Quicksilver Park, on Amah Mutsun land. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Watercolor painting made in the Year of the Tiger (2022) with a moon gate arch that reads Nian Nian You Yu, a Chinese saying to wish for abundance. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
In 2012, the Tommie Smith John Carlos Statues Garden was in danger of being destroyed at San José State University. This garden was maintained by Yan-Yin and volunteers from the SJSU community. Yan-Yin helped organize a campaign, engaging SJSU students, faculty, and community members, including the children of the childcare program at SJSU. The poster includes an homage to leaders Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong, as well as to Veggielution, a local community farm in San Jose. This poster was created by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
Watercolor painting of Miles Morales, inspired by Into the Spiderverse. Art by Yan-Yin K. Choy.
About Yan-Yin K. Choy
Yan-Yin K. Choy (pronouns: she/they; pronounced "Y-UHH-N Y-EeE-N CH-OYY") is a writer, poet, artist and civic technologist. She lives on Ohlone land, in the East Bay Area of California. They have over 50 houseplants.
Their poem, Laundry and Taxes, is published in an anthology of poetry and art Asian American Healing in Nature Walk Guide.
They are writing a dystopian survival climate fiction novel-in-verse about youth trying to survive and heal from trauma. They write lyrical stories that explore the power of community and nature in healing, and how tech helps or hinders humanity. Their stories are grounded in love, culture, and resilience.
Their stories give young readers hope and spark dialogue about what we do to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Her multimedia mural has been displayed at San José State University. She's organized an art fundraiser for My Sister's House to support survivors of domestic violence, and has her watercolor painting displayed at My Sister’s Café. She has acted, directed and produced three benefit productions with V-Day to raise money for local and global organizations ending violence against women and girls.
As a former organizer of Open Source San José, she started Heart of the Valley, an open source map of murals and public art in the Bay Area.
Yan-Yin is also a civic technologist with over fifteen years of experience of leadership experience. She works with teams to build more simple, accessible services for people in need.
She has a BA in Environmental Studies and minor in Anthropology from San José State University. She was a part of the Fall 2023 KWELI Art of the Short Story Workshop, and a student of Gotham Writers.
You can follow Yan-Yin on Instagram, Threads, or X.