xomeera's review
2.5
Some interesting things with form and commentary going on here, but overall many of the poems either fell flat for me or felt too heavy-handed, and not much of it stuck with me for long after. Still had a few really touching and impactful ones though—“virginia is for lovers” and “in defense of candelabra with heads” particularly stood out.
seebrandyread's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Though Nicole Sealey’s ordinary beast is brief, it's full of conversations–with itself, other poets and artists, history, and myth. Jumping from personal to political, from pop culture to fine art, these poems constantly find new, interesting ways to connect across time, space, and social boundaries. Sealey makes meaning by layering context both made and found by referencing other writers, artists, and cultural figures. She epitomizes finding freedom in constraint by showing that a conversational style and tone can be just as poetic as meter, that poetry is just as preoccupied with story, its construction and meaning, as prose. In some ways ordinary beast reads like a series of prompts, the type of catalyst some writers use to break out of a slump which I see as a testament to Sealey’s ability to find and create deep and unusual relationships as well as her grasp of and delight in language.
theresa__13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A new favorite poet.
readingsofaslinky's review
fast-paced
5.0
Highly highly recommend. Read for the Sealey Challenge coined by the author!