woolgatherer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
You could describe Loose Woman as a collection of feminist poems, considering its unabashed exploration of female sexuality. Many of these poems have the passion of an unrestrained fling or a lingering desire for the love hidden under the erotic. Cisneros also doesn’t shy away from humor, sometimes gross or sexual, and often tongue-in-cheek. On top of all of this, she writes through the lens of a Mexican American, situating many of these poems in San Antonio, smoothly switching from Spanish to English, expanding intimacy to include one’s cultural identity.
What I found strongest about this collection was Cisnero’s word choice. She strings together all the right words to get a particular rhythm and sound that will send shivers down your spine. Her descriptions make this collection a multisensory experience that really make you feel something. I’d say the most notable example is “Down There:” “Picked up words that / snapped like bra straps.” “the black elephant / skin of the testicles, / hairy as kiwi fruit / and silly,” “The gobs of a strawberry jam,” among many other lines.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection. The poems are fun, witty, and poignant. It’s definitely not meant for everyone, but for those who like female poets pushing at the boundaries of sexuality, this is definitely up your alley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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