The third collection of poetry of the author. Tackling various intimate, thought-provoking, and hard-to-swallow for some readers topics such as child sexual abuse, which she was subjected to at the tender age of 7. So keep that in mind.
Rupi is no doubt an author who manages to capture the essence of what she wants us to see and experience through her poetry. It is poignant, raw, visceral and so intimate you feel like you have entered her soul and are studying her mind from the inside.
I did enjoy most of the poems she has written in this book and my heart aches for her and what she has been through. Unfortunately, it is a reality that many children live in and the people supposed to protect them are nonexistent altogether.
The way she writes is unconventional and sometimes difficult to understand when one poem finishes and when another begins. Some have titles some do not. It is clearly an artistic choice, which I have nothing against, however, this does make it a bit difficult for the reader to enjoy.
– betrayal
we’ve ruined
our only home for
convenience and profit
neither of which will be
useful once the earth
can’t breathe
The poem that really got me was the following, please be aware it does mention child sexual abuse before you continue reading:
being molested as a child has been
the most confusing experience of my
life. to learn sex without having any
concept of it has messed me up in
why i am not enough
sex is a way for people to
transcend into each other
and come apart
a beautiful earthy expression
but for me
sex was my girlhood
dragged to death
he said
we were going to play
then he always locked the door
always chose the game
when i told him to stop
he said i was asking for it
but what did i know
about involuntary orgasms
and agency
and consent
at age 7. 8. 9. and 10.
It is taking me every ounce of my being not to yell and scream after reading some of the passages. I feel physically sick of the thought that an adult could do something so vile and unspeakable to a child. Words cannot describe how I feel and what I would do if someone I know did such a thing or if I were to witness it… God help them because I will not spare them. I will go full-on John Wick on them.
Overall I do recommend this collection it was fast, but definitely not an easy read. However, it is inspirational and amidst the darkness, there will always be light: your own.
Lin's Perspective 
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