Daughters

"Their swimming postures are unique
Some foam at the mouth, some angle their feet to the sky
But they don’t die
In the dauntlessly crashing waves"
—from Daughter W

Ling Yü’s lyrical and rhythmic poetry invites readers into meditations on feminine roles, family values, and the delicate balance between individuals and society. Her tender yet powerful verses reflect a deep connection to humanity, bridging cultural divides and resonating with readers of all ages.

Winner of the 2025 Newman Prize for Chinese Literature

Ling Yü’s language is economical and concise, yet surprising and reverberating with complex meaning. Her poetry engages thoughtfully with classical and modern, Eastern and Western literary, philosophical, artistic, and esoteric sources, generating outstanding works that require attention but are also intuitively grasped. Through her works, readers encounter a prism of rich, elegantly employed references that span themes of meditation, travel, feminism, capitalism, the environment, mythology and more.— Cosima Bruno (SOAS, London)