Natalie G. Diaz

This book had been on my to-read list for so long that every time I saw it in a bookstore it was so familiar I felt uncertain as to whether I had already purchased a copy at some point. (I had not.) But then it was on the display for National Poetry Month at my local library, so I finally checked it out and read it during the Feminist Book Club Readathon.

I think all the build-up actually made it harder for me to enjoy this book. Because I felt like it was fine, I enjoyed it. There were individual poems that moved me, that inspired me, that surprised me. But somehow I stayed removed from them all. I did not love this collection quite like I wanted to. (I may also have been influenced by the fact that this library copy REEKED of cigarette smoke. I mean, it was really bad. it made being near enough this book to read it unpleasant.)

Themes of Native identity and culture, queerness, the importance of water, womanhood, myth, permeate these poems. I am glad that I finally read this, I am just a little surprised that I am unlikely to go buy a copy to keep for myself. I will still seek out her previous collection, though.… (mere)