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alysses's review against another edition
5.0
This is what that other book I read attempted to be.
I'm left at WOW.
I'm left at WOW.
loganvw's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
[digital] some real doozies in there. “Bullet Points” is, to me, the standout best
dukegregory's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not someone that reads poetry consistently. I predominantly read poems under duress, under curriculum constraints, under one-off recommendations, and so I felt that it would be enlightening to read one of the more acclaimed collections of the last year, and I was not let down. Jericho Brown has such a grasp of language, inciting intergenerational rage, sardonic laughs, voyeuristic blushes, and more, sometimes within the same poem. As a black gay man who's openly HIV-positive, he sculpts formalistically diverse works out of those subjectivities. Those identities serve as his slabs of clay which he whips, cracks, scrapes, caresses. Really lovely. I only dropped a star because some poems went over my head or left me neutral, but more should read it. Quite worthwhile. Brown makes me interested in getting into more poetry whenever it feels right in the coming future.
cozy_soul_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.5
These poems felt raw, sweet, real, important to hear. I listened to the audiobook, it felt like I was at a poetry slam. This was such an impactful collection of poems, I listed some of my favorites below. And I am so grateful I got to listen and be inspired.
🍁 My Favorite Poems 🍁
Hero
After Avery R. Young
Duplex
I Know What I Love
Crossing
✨️ Lines I Loved ✨️
"There is the happiness you have. And the happiness you deserve."
"Story means lie."
"Sometimes you aint we. Sometimes you is everybody."
"A poem is a gesture towards home."
"I should be grateful. So I will be. No one on earth knows how many aborations happened before a woman risked her freedom, but giving that risk a name."
"I don't know who started the lie that we are lazy, but I'd love to wake that bastard up. I'd love to throw him in a truck and show him all the black people to every bus stop in America at 4 am waiting to work for what they want."
"Gradutude is black. Black as a hero returning from war, to a country that banked on his death. Thank god it can't get much darker than that."
🍁 My Favorite Poems 🍁
Hero
After Avery R. Young
Duplex
I Know What I Love
Crossing
✨️ Lines I Loved ✨️
"There is the happiness you have. And the happiness you deserve."
"Story means lie."
"Sometimes you aint we. Sometimes you is everybody."
"A poem is a gesture towards home."
"I should be grateful. So I will be. No one on earth knows how many aborations happened before a woman risked her freedom, but giving that risk a name."
"I don't know who started the lie that we are lazy, but I'd love to wake that bastard up. I'd love to throw him in a truck and show him all the black people to every bus stop in America at 4 am waiting to work for what they want."
"Gradutude is black. Black as a hero returning from war, to a country that banked on his death. Thank god it can't get much darker than that."
askatknits's review against another edition
5.0
Jericho Brown is a new to me poet, but a friend's review of his poetry piqued my curiosity!
The Tradition did not at all disappoint! I listened to the audio version, and it was so good I listened twice! The words sing a poignant song that will not leave you unmoved.
Utter perfection and I highly recommend!
The Tradition did not at all disappoint! I listened to the audio version, and it was so good I listened twice! The words sing a poignant song that will not leave you unmoved.
Utter perfection and I highly recommend!
moneypenny96's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
still unsure how/if you rate poetry, but for sure in the 5-star range! leaving poetry ratings blank on here though i think for now