A review by bloomerism
What the Living Do: Poems by Marie Howe

emotional reflective sad

4.5

But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass,
say, the window of the corner video store, and I'm gripped by a cherishing so deep

for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I'm speechless:
I am living, I remember you.

Fantastic, amazing, no notes. This is exactly the kind of quietly impactful poetry that I enjoy. You have to give it time to settle in after reading it and then it just gets better as you stew on it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Medical content, Child abuse, and Medical trauma