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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Not counting the year or so that I was obsessed with Charles Bukowski, I think I've read more poetry in the past year than I have in the rest of my life combined. I don't know what that says about me or the times I'm living in, but there it is.
I first heard June Jordan mentioned when I moved to Boulder in 2005. I don't remember what the context was, but it happened a number of times over the previous twenty years, until I finally went out and bought a book of hers.
Haruko/Love poems was alright. Unlike the other poetry I've read this year, it didn't suck me in; it didn't transport me to a different world; it didn't make me visualize everything I was reading. Sure, there were lines here and there, and maybe a poem or two, that gave me the feels, but for the most part I rushed through and just wanted to get to the next one.
I'm not done with Jordan though; I've heard a lot of radical things about her (and some of it was apparent in this book), and next time I'll choose a book that's more along those lines, instead of some corny love poems.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
“I would not long for heaven or for earth more than I’d wish to stay there touched and touching you”
This collection was such a good balance. Political resistance, self reflection, love and heartbreak (her relationships w/ men and women) and so on. Obviously not every piece will be 5/5 but I will say my favorite was the final poem that focused on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. I’ve read June Jordan’s essays before but not her poetry so it was nice to see a different aspect of her work
This collection was such a good balance. Political resistance, self reflection, love and heartbreak (her relationships w/ men and women) and so on. Obviously not every piece will be 5/5 but I will say my favorite was the final poem that focused on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. I’ve read June Jordan’s essays before but not her poetry so it was nice to see a different aspect of her work
emotional
fast-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Accomplished and with stunning moments.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced