Victoria Chang Discusses Her Latest Poetry Collection, Tree of Knowledge

Throughout Tree of Knowledge, the color red symbolizes the complex relationship between life and death—a duality reflected in Chang’s experiences, such as her menopausal transition, the felling of a eucalyptus tree, and the historical expulsion of Chinese residents from Eureka, California. The collection also addresses Chang’s experience of aging. In the poem “Self-Portrait,” she describes the difficulty of distinguishing between life and death, noting, “Death follows us until we turn to look at it.” Chang suggests that understanding death, grief, and growing older may reside within the layers of lived experiences rather than at their conclusion.

In a recent interview conducted over Zoom, Chang reflected on how Tree of Knowledge evolves from her previous works and connects to her personal journey with aging. She expressed that, despite feelings of loneliness that can accompany aging, poetry remains a constant and comforting companion. She compared her past collection, which dealt with depression and personal struggles, to the hormonal changes leading to menopause, emphasizing the necessity of discussing often-taboo subjects like menopause in her poetry.

Chang described the moment she witnessed the removal of a massive eucalyptus tree near her home as pivotal for her writing process. The tree was deemed unsafe and removed over several days, leaving Chang troubled; she felt a strong connection to the tree and questioned why it was being taken down rather than herself. This experience prompted her to write a poem titled “Eureka,” in which she reflects on both the tree’s demise and the historical context of the Chinese expulsion in Eureka, which she had been contemplating for some time.

Chang’s poem “Eureka” features no final punctuation, symbolizing the endless nature of history and the ongoing inhumanity faced by marginalized communities. She utilized structured constraints in her writing, including 10-syllable lines, to aid her emotional expression. Her artistic process included stitching red thread through historical photographs of Chinese Americans, blending tactile creation with literary exploration, and asserting the significance of preserving historical narratives.

Chang discovered the history behind the Eureka expulsion through an NPR article and further researched by visiting the town, exploring the Clarke Historical Museum, and delving into an online archive at Cal Poly Humboldt. In her writing, she often incorporates abstraction—as evident in her poem “Weeping Woman”—drawing inspiration from contemporary art exhibitions, specifically those featuring Indigenous artists. She believes that abstraction allows for depth and ambiguity, inviting readers to engage in complex thought.

While Chang clarifies that writing is not therapy, she acknowledges that it can serve as a therapeutic process for reflection and perception. For her, poetry is less about distilling meaning and more about navigating the darker aspects of existence to find moments of clarity and light.

Gabriela Denise Frank is a Seattle-based writer and artist.