An Interview with Ally Ang about their forthcoming release, Let the Moon WobbleI met Ally Ang, gaysian writer and self-described “poet laureate of the nude beach” in 2020, at the genesis of their MFA at University of Washington. Five years later, I am happy to be interviewing my friend about their forthcoming debut collection of poetry, Let the Moon Wobble. Ang’s poems gleam with queer pleasure and conjure a future where the freaks and (literal) bottom-feeders take center stage.
Bri Little: As we all know, gays have a special relationship to the moon. What does it mean for us to "Let the moon wobble?"
Ally Ang: “Moon wobble” refers to fluctuation of the moon’s orbit over time due to the slight tilt of its orbit. Since the moon’s gravitational pull impacts ocean tides, moon wobble causes the tides to go out of whack. “Let the moon wobble” is also the opening line from the first poem. To let the moon wobble means to embrace the messiness and wildness of nature and, by extension, the self. Nature is just as queer and off-kilter and ungovernable as we are. Plus, I just love the word “wobble;” it’s so fun to say. Little: What did you learn about yourself in the process of putting together your first book? Ang: I learned that I could keep revising until I die unless somebody stops me! I’m a bit of a control freak, and publishing this book has been a valuable exercise in relinquishing control: after a certain point, I had to trust that the book was as done as it needed to be. Even though a few of the poems feel somewhat removed from the way I write now, they are still a part of me and deserve their moment in the sun. I’m trying to think of this book as a snapshot of a particular stage in my writing life, rather than having to represent everything that I am and want to say for the rest of my life. Little: What's your favorite poem from the collection? Ang: The answer to this question changes constantly! Today I think my favorite is “Not Gay as in Happy—” which was generously published by beestung, an online literary journal for work by nonbinary writers. It’s a pride month poem that critiques pinkwashing and rainbow capitalism, while also reveling in the joy and freedom of being queer. It’s probably my favorite poem to perform at poetry readings. Don’t tell my other poems I said that. Little: What do you think is the role of the poet during these times? What poets do you most admire? Ang: Toni Cade Bambara famously said, “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” At its best, poetry is a portal, allowing us to imagine the world we want to build beyond the limits of the one we currently inhabit. I don’t believe that my poetry always lives up to this tall order, but the precision and attention that poetry requires has allowed me to sharpen my values and vision for the world. The poets I most admire are the ones whose work has expanded my idea of what language can do and who enact care and possibility on and off the page: June Jordan, Solmaz Sharif, George Abraham, Ama Codjoe, Dionne Brand, Jamie Silvonek, Danez Smith, Kaveh Akbar, Franny Choi, to name just a few. I also want to shout out some of the incredible local Seattle-area writers whose poetry and support of their communities have taught me to be a better poet and person: Jane Wong, Quenton Baker, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, Shelby Handler, Dujie Tahat, Cass Garison, Paul Hlava Ceballos, Luther Hughes, Cody Stetzel, and many many more. Seattle is an embarrassment of riches, poetry-wise. Let the Moon Wobble comes out November 11. Pre-order the book here.
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