libbygamberg's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
Excerpts:
I’m tired of knocking on the doors of empires.
(from “Dear white critic”)
when i was a little girl i wanted to bury the afternoon
when longing was long & my parents slept & slept
i stood in the corridor & repeated i i i i i until i
flickered in & out of myself
(from “ode to the afternoon”)
I was terrified
when the doctor named the disease
& told you one can manage it these days—
there are pills, there is time.
I know we are not young young,
know the body is but a shell—
shoulders throb, hips need oiling
at the hinges, hair whitens—
but isn’t it too early? & death,
whichever of us it comes for first,
will it be forgetfulness or remembrance?
Of the two of us, you’re the one who believes
more. It matters what we tell ourselves,
so we tell ourselves
We are here we are here we are here.
(from “UNBREAKABLE”)
I’m tired of knocking on the doors of empires.
(from “Dear white critic”)
when i was a little girl i wanted to bury the afternoon
when longing was long & my parents slept & slept
i stood in the corridor & repeated i i i i i until i
flickered in & out of myself
(from “ode to the afternoon”)
I was terrified
when the doctor named the disease
& told you one can manage it these days—
there are pills, there is time.
I know we are not young young,
know the body is but a shell—
shoulders throb, hips need oiling
at the hinges, hair whitens—
but isn’t it too early? & death,
whichever of us it comes for first,
will it be forgetfulness or remembrance?
Of the two of us, you’re the one who believes
more. It matters what we tell ourselves,
so we tell ourselves
We are here we are here we are here.
(from “UNBREAKABLE”)
ajreffsin's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cstefko's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
I enjoyed this one, even if it felt a bit overly long. The poems about motherhood and depression were the strongest.
"ode to the afternoon" was my favorite.
"ode to the afternoon" was my favorite.
shksprsis's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sabsey's review
5.0
Some favourites from this collection:
daily
triptych: you & my country & i
Dear white critic,
Everything Here Is an Absolute
Heirloom
Every Soul Needs Windows
prophecy
Say it,
Ode to Lipstick
We Are Young We Are Beautiful
Say Love Say God
triptych: reprise
Ode to Disappointment
Immortality (or on turning 36)
daily
triptych: you & my country & i
Dear white critic,
Everything Here Is an Absolute
Heirloom
Every Soul Needs Windows
prophecy
Say it,
Ode to Lipstick
We Are Young We Are Beautiful
Say Love Say God
triptych: reprise
Ode to Disappointment
Immortality (or on turning 36)