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znnys's review
5.0
I really enjoyed Meyer's first publication, but this one really impressed me. He thrives in vulnerable, personal topics. Some of my favorite pieces from this collection were Twisted Ankles, Giant/Giant Part 2, Antlers, Existential, and Straight Bs. They are introspective evocative poems with some very beautiful and fascinating imagery.
One line that stood out to me in particular was this one from Straight Bs.
"If only our letters
Could glow in the dark."
One line that stood out to me in particular was this one from Straight Bs.
"If only our letters
Could glow in the dark."
lindarrighi's review
5.0
I picked up this book not because of its really colourful and fun cover, surprisingly enough. I decided to read Tempest because the preview poem, GIANT, really resonated with me. In this poem, the author imagines the future to be a gentle giant. Despite being a creepy and imposing monster on the surface, he too needs to have someone wishing him happiness. I spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about the future, especially during this past year. This poem helped me see things differently and, for this reason, I decided to dedicate a couple evenings to this poetry collection. I hoped I would find the new perspective I found in GIANT in some of the other poems in Tempest.
In the foreword, the author explains that, with the poems in Tempest, he aims to capture destructive and terrible things in a beautiful way. Although I can only talk about a couple of the poems in this review, I thought that most of the poems in this book were perfectly in line with this mindset and the dichotomy within them was what kept me interested and fascinated. This poetry collection is about difficult and hard moments as well as incredible moments of clarity. But they don't have the roughness or urgency you'd expect from them. Everything is told with calmness. Reading this book is like hearing the story of a destructive tempest after the boat has been rocked to shore and the sky has cleared again. Everyone is warming up next to a fire. The sea is tranquil and quiet. The fear has gone back into hiding.
Despite this quality of calmness, the poems are neither overly optimistic nor lacking in emotion. The poems are very evocative and have reminded me of the details of moments in my life which I had forgotten about. CAN'T FLY FOREVER reminded me of the chilling silence I'd experience sitting in the park in spring 2020, LONG, LONG AFTER of moments of clarity I'd had during my teenage years, and LAST FEW of some dark but comforting conversation I've had about existence, death and positivity. Since the interpretation of poems is mostly personal, they might do something different for you, but from what I've experienced you're in for a ride if you decide to read Tempest.
If you got this far in the review, you probably already know I loved this book a lot. That's why I'll spend the rest of it just sharing some of my favourite bits from this collection. The wholesome but sad poem IS EVERYTHING OK? is kind of a stream of consciousness, and these are my favourite lines from it:
Even though I'm easily startled regardless,
I wish my thoughts would knock before entering.
Other poems I really liked and resonated with are 22, BITING, and DANDELION. In a way, these three are all about being young and anxious. All about looking for moments of calmness in the tempest.
In the foreword, the author explains that, with the poems in Tempest, he aims to capture destructive and terrible things in a beautiful way. Although I can only talk about a couple of the poems in this review, I thought that most of the poems in this book were perfectly in line with this mindset and the dichotomy within them was what kept me interested and fascinated. This poetry collection is about difficult and hard moments as well as incredible moments of clarity. But they don't have the roughness or urgency you'd expect from them. Everything is told with calmness. Reading this book is like hearing the story of a destructive tempest after the boat has been rocked to shore and the sky has cleared again. Everyone is warming up next to a fire. The sea is tranquil and quiet. The fear has gone back into hiding.
Despite this quality of calmness, the poems are neither overly optimistic nor lacking in emotion. The poems are very evocative and have reminded me of the details of moments in my life which I had forgotten about. CAN'T FLY FOREVER reminded me of the chilling silence I'd experience sitting in the park in spring 2020, LONG, LONG AFTER of moments of clarity I'd had during my teenage years, and LAST FEW of some dark but comforting conversation I've had about existence, death and positivity. Since the interpretation of poems is mostly personal, they might do something different for you, but from what I've experienced you're in for a ride if you decide to read Tempest.
If you got this far in the review, you probably already know I loved this book a lot. That's why I'll spend the rest of it just sharing some of my favourite bits from this collection. The wholesome but sad poem IS EVERYTHING OK? is kind of a stream of consciousness, and these are my favourite lines from it:
Even though I'm easily startled regardless,
I wish my thoughts would knock before entering.
Other poems I really liked and resonated with are 22, BITING, and DANDELION. In a way, these three are all about being young and anxious. All about looking for moments of calmness in the tempest.
kristianamr's review
5.0
Meyer’s second poetry collection, Tempest, is an absolute joy to read. A departure from the Gothic, horror style of Haunt, Tempest cradles its reader in bittersweet nostalgia and Meyer’s storytelling and surrealism come into their stride.
In the preface, Meyer talks about the dichotomy between the beauty of imagery and underlying pain often conveyed in music and poetry. For me, this recalled words from Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray that “behind every exquisite thing that existed there was something tragic”, and Meyer’s desire to create this ‘tempest’ was realised through stunning poetry.
Meyer’s work made me feel human as he embraced the past, fear, identity and the ache it is to exist. ‘Reassurance’ moved me in the simplicity of how difficult it is to stop and listen to yourself sometimes, and the comfort to be found in listening to your heartbeat echo against porcelain. ‘Giant’ and ‘Giant, Part 2’ portrayed the future beautifully. Meyer takes human fear and complexity, reflects it but reminds us it need not be ugly.
While ‘Faulty Wiring’, ‘No Science To Loneliness’, ‘We Always Say We’ll Stay In Touch’ and ‘Long, Long After’ were incredibly moving as Meyer conveyed emotional depth through storytelling grounded in nature, people and place.
Finally, ‘The Poet’, ‘Imperfect Fit’ and ‘Coughing Fits’ showcased the potential for mastery burgeoning in Meyer’s craft. These pieces were sharp and honest; with ‘Imperfect Fit’ being the crowning glory, the dichotomy Meyer wished to achieve.
Tempest is an impressive collection; a thoroughly good read capturing humanity at its most humble. Meyer has found Wilde’s tragedy and reminded us of the exquisite beauty which can still exist within it.
In the preface, Meyer talks about the dichotomy between the beauty of imagery and underlying pain often conveyed in music and poetry. For me, this recalled words from Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray that “behind every exquisite thing that existed there was something tragic”, and Meyer’s desire to create this ‘tempest’ was realised through stunning poetry.
Meyer’s work made me feel human as he embraced the past, fear, identity and the ache it is to exist. ‘Reassurance’ moved me in the simplicity of how difficult it is to stop and listen to yourself sometimes, and the comfort to be found in listening to your heartbeat echo against porcelain. ‘Giant’ and ‘Giant, Part 2’ portrayed the future beautifully. Meyer takes human fear and complexity, reflects it but reminds us it need not be ugly.
While ‘Faulty Wiring’, ‘No Science To Loneliness’, ‘We Always Say We’ll Stay In Touch’ and ‘Long, Long After’ were incredibly moving as Meyer conveyed emotional depth through storytelling grounded in nature, people and place.
Finally, ‘The Poet’, ‘Imperfect Fit’ and ‘Coughing Fits’ showcased the potential for mastery burgeoning in Meyer’s craft. These pieces were sharp and honest; with ‘Imperfect Fit’ being the crowning glory, the dichotomy Meyer wished to achieve.
Tempest is an impressive collection; a thoroughly good read capturing humanity at its most humble. Meyer has found Wilde’s tragedy and reminded us of the exquisite beauty which can still exist within it.
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