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moh's review
5.0
This is shattering, beautiful poetry about being queer and black in the U.S., violence, power, sex, and desire. I went through these poems slowly, partially to savor them and partially because reading them hurt. (Around the halfway point, I started seeing images of scorched earth whenever I closed my eyes.) I keep fussing with what to say about this collection, and I'm nowhere near doing it justice, so here's a link to a piece by Saeed Jones about why he writes and how he got there. I cannot begin to recommend Prelude to Bruise strongly enough.
eastblood's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
amjammi's review
5.0
I read these poems compulsively, all in one sitting, and I still feel them rattling around in the pit of my stomach.
cleothegreat's review
3.0
‘Small with wild legs, the boy stole your eyes
the day he was born.
In a language you’ve tried to keep
from him, your name is mother of sorrows.
When he does not answer your latest call, dream
him grown and gone: far off, a vial of your tears
on his nightstand.
In the autumn of his blood, he will siphon your hurt
to a child dying of thirst; the only inheritance
of worth in the village of your synapses.
But—for now—he’s still your boy. Sweet little
wreck. Check the room you’ve locked him’
3.5 stars. I feel like this was a brilliant collection-the rating only reflects the lack of connection I felt due to the gap between my experiences and the authors but for someone that truly understands?? 100% 5 stars. poetry is subjective. I look forward to reading more of the authors works!!
the day he was born.
In a language you’ve tried to keep
from him, your name is mother of sorrows.
When he does not answer your latest call, dream
him grown and gone: far off, a vial of your tears
on his nightstand.
In the autumn of his blood, he will siphon your hurt
to a child dying of thirst; the only inheritance
of worth in the village of your synapses.
But—for now—he’s still your boy. Sweet little
wreck. Check the room you’ve locked him’
3.5 stars. I feel like this was a brilliant collection-the rating only reflects the lack of connection I felt due to the gap between my experiences and the authors but for someone that truly understands?? 100% 5 stars. poetry is subjective. I look forward to reading more of the authors works!!
cnnr876's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
beautiful and painful poetry. very affecting!
cqs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
Poetry is paint on the page. Beautiful, lyrical, full of water and flowers and trees and flight.