oliviak07's review
3.0
An anthology one will want to take their time with, to truly observe the meaning and emotion in the printed words of the various open and raw authors, Jennifer Bartlett et. al.s "Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability" was a collection that challenged and changed (for the thoughtful and better) views of this able-bodied reader whom already encouraged this forwardness and self-acceptance in anyone around her. No ability or disability should or could be an exception to self compassion and honesty.
The journey through each prose and statement was worth the change in point of view, even if some poems simply did not take. This was not due to what the poem was about, or a view of that particular author's experience, it was simply a preference to a form of literature over others that any reader feels or favors.
However, I will say that the sheet of paper that I kept by my bed to mark down lines, page numbers, even a whole collection of essays or poems by certain authors in the book was closed to be completely tattooed in scribbles. While the list is long, I narrowed it down to three lines or poems/essays that stopped me in my tracks to take a much needed and reinvigorating breath:
- "Reason" (67) by Josephine Miles.
- "Listening Sideways to the Beat of a Poem" (217-21) and "Hummingbirds" (227) by Raymond Luczak.
- "There was loss, and there was joy, and there was a state in which both of them were one." - Ellen McGrath Smith, "Afraid of the Rake"(286).
If you wish to try this book, and to live with the lessons learned from its pages long after you return it to your local library, I would say go for it full steam ahead. It might not be all you expected, but I can assure you it will have something for everyone in its plethora of letters and numbers.
The journey through each prose and statement was worth the change in point of view, even if some poems simply did not take. This was not due to what the poem was about, or a view of that particular author's experience, it was simply a preference to a form of literature over others that any reader feels or favors.
However, I will say that the sheet of paper that I kept by my bed to mark down lines, page numbers, even a whole collection of essays or poems by certain authors in the book was closed to be completely tattooed in scribbles. While the list is long, I narrowed it down to three lines or poems/essays that stopped me in my tracks to take a much needed and reinvigorating breath:
- "Reason" (67) by Josephine Miles.
- "Listening Sideways to the Beat of a Poem" (217-21) and "Hummingbirds" (227) by Raymond Luczak.
- "There was loss, and there was joy, and there was a state in which both of them were one." - Ellen McGrath Smith, "Afraid of the Rake"(286).
If you wish to try this book, and to live with the lessons learned from its pages long after you return it to your local library, I would say go for it full steam ahead. It might not be all you expected, but I can assure you it will have something for everyone in its plethora of letters and numbers.
cheryl6of8's review
4.0
I learned about this book when I interviewed one of the editors and contributors for a class project. It was the first I had heard of a disability poetry movement, which bothered me because I have a Bachelors in English and a lifelong association with many different groups focused on disability rights. I should have known of this movement before, particularly given its historical sweep.
The poems and the introductory pieces for each contributor were informative and challenging for me. Sometimes the discussions, both in poetry and prose, were uncomfortably frank; often I was made aware of the distance between my experience and that of the poet. I am left with a great deal to ponder about life, poetry, disability, and the similarities and differences between individuals.
The poems and the introductory pieces for each contributor were informative and challenging for me. Sometimes the discussions, both in poetry and prose, were uncomfortably frank; often I was made aware of the distance between my experience and that of the poet. I am left with a great deal to ponder about life, poetry, disability, and the similarities and differences between individuals.
zombiezami's review
The explanatory essays kept breaking the flow for me. I thought about just skipping them and reading the poems, but I kept forgetting, and now the library book is due lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Ableism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Chronic illness
Minor: Rape
kaabtik's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
The essays in this anthology read so much like academic papers that I had to open up a separate document and highlight and take note — it was challenging in the sense that the style was very reminiscent of all-nighters beyond my control. Aside from that, it was an eye-opening read. Each poet had their own style that seamlessly flowed and complimented each other. While I cannot directly relate to their experiences, it had me reflecting on my own view of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Medical content
ssuummeerrn's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
kp_writ's review
challenging
informative
reflective
4.75
I've journaled some thoughts about this collection, but I will just summarize here. The introduction and some of the essays featured threw me off with how academic they were. For some, this is surely a welcomed addition to the world of literary analysis (or whatever it's called), but for a hobby poet who is disabled, it was quite intimidating. I'm not sure this collection would resonate as much for those who haven't had at least a brush of experience with the academy - and I say this as someone who reads Disability Studies literature in my free time.
Still, though, if one can get past the intimidation, maybe skip the essays/poems that don't call out to them, I think there is a lot to find in these pages. Connection with disabled poets of past and present, but also some revolutionary ways of thinking about writing and poetry as a whole - even and maybe especially for those who are not disabled. This will be one I hope to add to my personal library, for sure.
Still, though, if one can get past the intimidation, maybe skip the essays/poems that don't call out to them, I think there is a lot to find in these pages. Connection with disabled poets of past and present, but also some revolutionary ways of thinking about writing and poetry as a whole - even and maybe especially for those who are not disabled. This will be one I hope to add to my personal library, for sure.