Poetry is an author's tool to produce written work in order to express themselves and evoke emotions and feelings they have. Poetry comes in many different forms and from much different type of authors. It can be categorized in different ways. There are similarities and differences amidst the different types of poetry. Poetry classified "Asian", or "Asian American" poetry share similarities based on culture and race. The roots of an "Asian" poem most often times come from someone of Asian descent but this isn't always the case. An African American can write "Asian American" poetry if he captures both cultures in his writing. The things that make an Asian poem an Asian poem are countless. There are many variables in the equation. "For a New Citizen of These United States" by Li-Young Lee is a powerful poem that conveys a sense of Asian American-ness and also expresses a great deal of emotion.

Sorrow and persecution surround "For a New Citizen of These United States,". The poem is written in a manner where Lee makes the audience seem ignorant of the events he calls out, "But you don't remember, I know,

The setting of the poem is in the 1960's. Along with other Chinese families the author is held captive at a railroad station being scattered and are trying to escape from whoever captured them. This is the history of the Chinese people and culture; therefore it's part of Lee also. This also brings another element of so-called Asian-ness into the poem.

Writing the poem in free verse can be associated with the author's allegiance to the west. Like the United States, the poem is neither conservative nor regulated with an iron hand. The author has complete freedom to do whatever he wants and say whatever he wants. This is similar to the United States government, freedom of speech, etc. Lee uses his written freedom the same way an American citizen would use their rights.

Written in English the poem combines both cultures, Chinese and American into one. Lee writes of his family's past and based on the names he uses in the poems such as Ming and Chung its clear he's of Asian descent. Having written the poem in English suggests that Lee has learned English and may have grown up in the United States later in his life. The poem does not have any standard form and is written in free verse.

He also writes "And since you don't recall the Missionary bells"(2) suggest that he might be Christian or was around the church. The missionary bells would also suggest that th

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 932
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)