A review by littlerah
Courage: Daring Poems for Gutsy Girls by Karen Finneyfrock, Mindy Nettifee, Rachel McKibbens
3.0
The best thing about studying poetry is when your friends lend you anthologies to read. So a shout out to Katie for this good collection of poetry for young women. Inside you will find stories, lessons and hauntings of a variety of lives.
"My mouth is a fire escape.
The words coming out can't care that they are naked.
There is something burning in here. (26).
The poems in this collection urge women to use their voices and speak loudly about their experiences. Speak of race, of disability, of class, of queerness. There is a mighty range of understanding embedded in each poem that has the potential to make it special for other readers.
"pull back your lips, bare the teeth you have
sharpened to their perfect points, flick
your stinger tongue, set free your swarm" (73).
My favourites included:
I Sing The Body Electric, Especially When My Power's Out - Andrea Gibson (26).
Private Parts - Sarah Kay (32).
Swarm - Jeanann Verlee (73).
For My Childhood Best Friend... - Sara Brickman (81).
13 Ways of Looking at 13 - Patricia Smith (94).
Dear Mom - Fatimah Asghar (108).
Poem for Aimee Rose - April Ranger (119)
Discipline - Mindy Nettifee (147).
The Nutritionist - Andrea Gibson (154).
"My mouth is a fire escape.
The words coming out can't care that they are naked.
There is something burning in here. (26).
The poems in this collection urge women to use their voices and speak loudly about their experiences. Speak of race, of disability, of class, of queerness. There is a mighty range of understanding embedded in each poem that has the potential to make it special for other readers.
"pull back your lips, bare the teeth you have
sharpened to their perfect points, flick
your stinger tongue, set free your swarm" (73).
My favourites included:
I Sing The Body Electric, Especially When My Power's Out - Andrea Gibson (26).
Private Parts - Sarah Kay (32).
Swarm - Jeanann Verlee (73).
For My Childhood Best Friend... - Sara Brickman (81).
13 Ways of Looking at 13 - Patricia Smith (94).
Dear Mom - Fatimah Asghar (108).
Poem for Aimee Rose - April Ranger (119)
Discipline - Mindy Nettifee (147).
The Nutritionist - Andrea Gibson (154).