Aracelis Girmay

A collection that builds through itself a context for both grief and joy, exceptional and sometimes difficult. As a conversation with history and the present, it takes full attention. Teeth was easier for me to connect to by individual poem, but part II of this work as a witnessing kind of knocked the wind out of me and deserves further thought.

"The weather of the house, / it shapes the body's light. This is what / a girl has in common with the lightning."

Truly stunning. The truth and creativity and fierceness are suffused with such compassion and joy. This is the closest to sentimental poetry I could ever get. I adored Arroz Poetica, Ode to the Watermelon, Consider the Hands that Write this Letter, Santa Ana of Grocery Carts... honestly and several more.

This is an extraordinary book, utterly astonishing!