(May Lee is a Hmong American writer living in St. Paul, Minnesota. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is a former recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant, a former participant of the Loft Literary Center’s Mentor Series in Creative Non-Fiction, and a former participant in the Playwright Center’s Many Voices Program. Currently, she is working on a play project through Mu Performing Arts’ New Performances Program and is developing a 10-minute play through the Dab Neeg Project at the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent. She has previously been published in To Sing Along the Way: MN Women Poets From Pre-Territorial Days to the Present; Bamboo Among the Oaks: Creative Writing by Hmong Americans; and Paj Ntaub Voice.)

As an Asian American writer, it is always exciting to go to a Bryan Thao Worra reading because it is always more than a reading. It is an event. For those of you not “in the know,” Bryan Thao Worra is a Twin Cities-based Laotian American writer. He is perhaps one of the most widely published Laotian American writers, having works published in over 60 journals, magazines, and anthologies. More than that, his work is interesting, provocative, and, yes, even fun.

August 10, 2007 marked the launch of his first book of poetry entitled On the Other Side of the Eye published through Sam’s Dot Publishing. The book launch was successful as over 100 people packed into the performance hall of the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. 

Kicking off the night were four artists who showcased their works as well as honored Thao Worra’s accomplishments: Hmong writer, Ka Vang, performance artist Katie Vang, San Francisco-based poet Oscar Bermeo, and poet Barbara Jane Reyes who also wrote the forward for On the Other Side of the Eye. 

When Thao Worra took the stage, he did it in his typical fashion: Dressed in his signature tuxedo, Thao Worra performed poems from his collection with energy, drama, and humor. (Author’s Note: He has been known to convert poetry reading haters into faithful attendees.) Whether he contemplated what kills a man (“always small things”) or built a library (which may instead turn into the training grounds for a ninja camp), he connected with audience members. In addition, in what has become truly a Bryan Thao Worra signature, On the Other Side of the Eye’s book release party also meant numerous free door prizes for attendees.

That evening, spoken word artist Bao Phi was slated to perform, but, due to an unforeseen health issue, he was unable to attend. Nonetheless, he wrote a compelling note celebrating Thao Worra’s literary and community achievements. In addition to writing, Bao Phi reminded the audience that Thao Worra has been active in many Asian American issues and has constantly extended his support to emerging writers and artists. 

This was all apparent at the book launch as the performance hall was filled with art work from local visual artist Seexeng Lee to Thao Worra’s support of local entrepreneurs Cakes By Fhoua who made a cake the image of the book cover to just the variety and diversity of people who were interested in his writing.

On the Other Side of the Eye is a landmark achievement. Not only does it represent one of the few literary writings by Laotian Americans, it is also a book that pushes the boundaries of literature. The poems included in this collection take readers from a journey through not only the Asian American refugee experience but also delves into the exciting realm of speculative fiction where anything goes.