City of Asylum /Pittsburgh provides temporary sanctuary to creative writers under immediate threat of extreme persecution or death in their home countries. The hosted writer receives a residence and a living stipend for up to two years, so that the he or she can continue to write during a period of transition. For older writers or writers whose health has been harmed by torture and imprisonment, the freedom to continue writing is especially critical. Ideally, the political climate will change in the writer’s home country and the writer can return home. But if this is not possible, the hosting period is used to help the writer stabilize his or her situation in the U.S.

For more information about COA/Pittsburgh, visit
http://www.cityofasylumpittsburgh.org

Also, make sure to check out Sampsonia Way Magazine, the new
online publication from City of Asylum/Pittsburgh.

Writing in 3-D (2000)
      By Huang Xiang

The oldest way to write poetry
Is with a brush
The newest way to write poetry
Is with the body
The most wonderful way to write poetry
Is to stand right on your head
With mind and body as one
And dab ink
On the ground!

House Poem can be viewed at 408 Sampsonia Way, two doors
down from the Mattress Factory.