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A review by haramis
Hurrah's Nest by Arisa White
5.0
I don't know that I would have read [b:Hurrah's Nest|13607042|Hurrah's Nest|Arisa White|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348778544s/13607042.jpg|19202732] if I hadn't won the Goodreads giveaway for it. That said, I'm glad I did. I've said many times and meant it that familial conflict is my bread and butter. The poetry in this book is raw and powerful. I could feel the betrayal, confusion, and conflict dripping off the pages. I also grew up with an incredibly conflicted relationship with my damaged mother, and found myself compelled to underline in "Disposition for Shininess":
Have I ever felt that. Worse, "What Is It We Burn Into Our Hearts?" which moved me so much that I couldn't speak clearly for a few minutes. You grow to know and love Arisa's family through her poems, and the pain and potential redemption in the final poem are so beautiful and searing.
I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read this.
She keeps running away from her reflections
like we're telling her to get the switch
for the spanking she is to receive.
Like over and over agian, we a post-it
for some stone she had to swallow,
some pain that can't be exfoliated down.
Like the daddy-sized slippers taken over
by gentleman callers or that cocklebur of a mantra:
I will not be like her, I will not be...
Her mother who opted for single parenting
than a gambling husband. We carry this for what?
Like coffin or cradle for that bruised girlchild in her.
Have I ever felt that. Worse, "What Is It We Burn Into Our Hearts?" which moved me so much that I couldn't speak clearly for a few minutes. You grow to know and love Arisa's family through her poems, and the pain and potential redemption in the final poem are so beautiful and searing.
I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read this.