ceilidhnewbury's review
5.0
I've been having A Time with gender dysphoria and anger at the world that makes it such a prevalent and persistent problem. And this collection was so beautiful, it was like meeting someone for the first time and realising all the things you have in common. It made me cry but it also gave me hope.
littlerah's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
"you are non-binary enough, no matter what the monsters say" (73).
The best thing about good Australian poetry, is devouring it in one sitting over a cuppa. Rae White's latest Exactly As I Am, is a dizzying exploration and has lingering effects. This is the kind of collection I have already recommended to friends.
"am I being phased out
of society?
TRANS NOT APPROVED" (44).
Something that I really love about White's writing is that they also err on the comedically dark. Whilst they share trauma and torment, and how existence as a non-binary trans person can be, they also offer solace. Satirical comments like golden retriever noises blurring out transphobic slurs and reminders that their existence is non-negotiable. I loved that.
"I hold twinkles of theys & thems
& true-names in my coat pockets" (99).
My favourite section was 'Exist', the poems in there speaking to my own dreams of touch and tactility as a person who borers on the anxious. I felt connected and loved nearly every single poem equally.
On that, some favourites included:
Bloody (17)
if there's nothing out there, why am I searching? (25)
Hot, cold (27)
to rest (52)
bodies / your body (78)
this one room (84)
not unlike love (116).
The best thing about good Australian poetry, is devouring it in one sitting over a cuppa. Rae White's latest Exactly As I Am, is a dizzying exploration and has lingering effects. This is the kind of collection I have already recommended to friends.
"am I being phased out
of society?
TRANS NOT APPROVED" (44).
Something that I really love about White's writing is that they also err on the comedically dark. Whilst they share trauma and torment, and how existence as a non-binary trans person can be, they also offer solace. Satirical comments like golden retriever noises blurring out transphobic slurs and reminders that their existence is non-negotiable. I loved that.
"I hold twinkles of theys & thems
& true-names in my coat pockets" (99).
My favourite section was 'Exist', the poems in there speaking to my own dreams of touch and tactility as a person who borers on the anxious. I felt connected and loved nearly every single poem equally.
On that, some favourites included:
Bloody (17)
if there's nothing out there, why am I searching? (25)
Hot, cold (27)
to rest (52)
bodies / your body (78)
this one room (84)
not unlike love (116).
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