Senior Literary – Page 26 – Literary Arts Blogspace

Vampire Academy

Before I even begin, I know you are thinking “Chloe, weren’t you reading the Gone series?” Why yes, I was, but I got bored and read a different book instead.

First of all, I absolutely despise this title. This is the stupidest title the author could have chosen. Seriously, it’s so awful and clingy it pains me to say it out loud. It sounds like a children’s book about vampires and it is NOT appropriate for children. The title could have been anything, ANYTHING, else and I would have preferred it.

Anyways, in great contrast to the title, I love this book. It’s so good. There is so much passion here, and so much love. I feel as if it displays such beautiful friendship. The main character, rose, is one of the few main characters I have adored entirely. She is this hardcore, determined teenage who will do anything to protect her friend Lisa. I also really enjoyed the authors views on vampires.

In this book there are living vampires, Moroi, who have control over the elements, and the dead vampires, Strigoi, who are cursed by the earth itself. Moroi are born, strigoi are made. Stigoi want to kill Moroi and so they need protectors. These protectors are called dhampires. Half human-half Moroi. They make great warriors, but can not reproduce together, kinda like mules. The only wya they can have children is if they have children with Moroi vampires. This means that if they don’t live, the dhampires die out too.

This is what causes them to want to protect the Moroi. If they die, so do they, so the protection of them is crucial. Strigoi want to kill Moroi, and they lurk in the shadows, waiting for their time to strike.

There is honestly so much going on in this book. So much is happening, so much foreshadowing and so many questions the reader begs to know the answer to. There is love and hate and war and violence and sweetness and super powers. It’s so cool and I enjoyed this book so much.

The way it ended made me. So. Mad. There is a love story in this book that is like forbidden because he isn’t older for her and they are both dhampires and guardians so that can’t be together. But you know , they really could. Come on. Guys, you know you won’t to.

That’s besides the point, but there was so many crazy up and down moments in this book and there are so many questions that have yet to be answered , and I cannot wait to read the next book. I’ve read reviews that it is even better than the first one. I know I promised I’d let you guys know what happened in the next book, and then I didn’t, but this time I think I May have some things to report on the next book: Frostbite

“Renegades” – Subverting the Hero Expectation

When I first heard that one of my favorite authors, Marissa Meyer, was writing a new series based on superheroes, I was enthralled to learn about what her book would do to the superhero scene. And when it finally came out, I was practically enthralled to get my hands on the first copy that I could. And as soon as I dived in, I knew that she had once again created a masterpiece.

“Renegades” is a book about a girl named Nova, who has been raised by a group of villains who all have extraordinary powers. Years ago, prodigies ruled the earth, and their powers led to a massive power shift- all of the strongest prodigies overthrew the government and began to rule the population. Years later, a group of prodigies rose up to overthrow this power structure; they killed the man in charge and began to rebuild society. The villains, including Nova, have a loathing for the hero prodigies, because they left the world without a main power structure and the normal people of society depended on them for everything that they needed. The villains create a plan to place Nova into the group of prodigies as a spy, working to usurp their power structure from the inside out.

Nova joins a smaller division of superheroes who work under the main governing heroes. The main heroes are Sketch, aka Adrian Everhart, who is the adopted sons of the two most powerful superheroes in the city, with his powers allowing him to bring life to whatever he draws; Smokescreen, aka Oscar Silva, who is able to keep up with the rest of the team even though he is slightly crippled in his leg; and Red Assassin, aka Ruby Tucker, a girl who bleeds rubies and can create her own weapons out of them. She takes up the persona under Insomnia, because her powers allow her to stay awake for hours on end with no side effects; she does keep secret the fact that she can channel her powers to make whoever is touching her fall to sleep, a power she uses under her villainous persona of Nightmare.

There are several things within the novel that I found very intriguing and interesting. First, I was very pleased to hear that two of the more important heroes in the book are in a homosexual relationship. I was extremely happy when I discovered the relationship between the two and how it was treated. They’ve even adopted the child of one of the deceased members of the original superhero team. I was also extremely glad that homophobia wasn’t a main plot point or an antagonistic force- no one treats them any differently than anyone else. This sort of treatment is very refreshing within the literary sphere, and it was definitely something that strengthened the overall story and made it feel more believable.

Secondly, while reading, I was afraid that this book would take to the tropes that many works of fiction would take: that she would fall in love with one of the main heroes and become reformed to the good side. But (as far as the first book is concerned) this doesn’t seem to be the case. Nova continues to work for the villains, and never seems to forget the goal that she has. She appreciates the team, of course, but she doesn’t particularly care if they are hurt while she is acting out a more villainous role. I appreciate that Meyer didn’t take the stereotypical route with Nova’s story arch; if anything, her time with the heroes push her further to work against them.

Third, I very much enjoy how Adrian uses his powers. Because his drawings come to life, he decides to try something new: he gives himself tattoos that give him extra powers. His intentions matter when he creates the tattoos, and thus he is able to give himself new abilities. For instance, he has created tattoos that give him armor from his own body, springs on his feet for extra jumping strength. and the power to summon fire from his hands. He keeps all of these abilities secret from everyone, and begins to go on missions on his own.

This is another thing that impressed me: the superheroes didn’t always stick to the status quo. There are many times when the smaller teams of heroes who decide to do things their own way. Many of the heroes constantly harass the villains, or go against direct orders, especially Adrain when he begins to give himself his own powers. I find this concept intriguing, and it gives more depth to the overall story.

Right now, two of the three books in the trilogy are out on the market, with the third already taking pre-orders and is expected to come out in November. I still need to read the second book, but if anything can be taken out of this, I am extremely excited to read the second book to be ready for the third and final installment.

Milk and Honey: A Second Read

Most poetry fanatics know about this young adult poetry book, and if you’re on Pinterest or even Tumblr, you definitely know about this book. Even if you don’t know about it, you’ve probably stumbled upon one of its poems through an Instagram post. However, if you are one of the few who have no idea what I’m talking about, I will say it’s a relatable book filled with poetry and prose, written by Rupi Kaur.

The first time I read the book, I read it completely for enjoyment. I related to some of the pieces and then felt empathy for those who related to the others. I found myself wanting to savor it, but at the same time, I couldn’t put the book down. The poems are generally short as well, so it is very easy to fly through it without even knowing it. When I first read it for entertainment purposes, it was genius in my opinion. It evoked emotion in me. I would put post-it notes throughout the book, and even write and underline keywords. By the time I read the last page, I decided it would be only fitting for me to keep it on my shelf along with my other favorite books.

However, I did recently read it for a second time, and sadly, the experience was not as golden as my last. The first time I read her book, I was 15 and just coming out of a relationship to which I describe as my first love in today’s time. Automatically, my love for the book was amplified due to the fact that I was heartbroken and a sophomore in high school. That was a time in my life where I wanted to feel every feeling I possibly could, and that I did. Now, almost three years later, I read the book and find that it is beautiful and poetic; however, I wouldn’t write it off as the best poetry I’ve read.

In the last year, I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of amazing poets that are infamous in the writing world. Poets like, Liz Waldner and Ina Coolbrith (two of my personal favorite poets), who have phenomenal work. After reading the book a second time, I found that Kaur’s couldn’t compare. But then I thought about this for a moment and realized that Kaur’s goal was not to be like these amazing, award-winning poets. Her goal was to take her feelings and put them out to the world. Her goal was to take the situations she’s been through and give them to the reader so that they can relate and realize that they aren’t alone. Once I stepped away from the words on the paper and looked at the book as a whole, I realized that this wasn’t about writing amazing poetry. It was about helping others, and there is something so admirable about that.

I, Too ..

The poem I am reviewing is I, Too Am America by Langston Hughes. I remember the first time I was introduced to this poem. I was about twelve years old, in the sixth grade, at Davis Elementary School in Greenwood, Mississippi. We were asked to research, memorize, and perform a poem for the Black History Program. This was the piece I decided to perform.

I, Too

By Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

This poem resonates with me soul-y because of the content. I am a black male in the United States of America. It is pretty difficult living being a black male in this day and age. His first line, “I too, sing America,” reminds me of the Star Spangled Banner. (I am pretty sure this is not what he meant, but it is where my mind went.) There have been a lot of white people to sing the Start Spangled Banner, but there have been even more black people to sing it. In reality, the black people who sung it, have gone down in history for being the best to ever do it. The two that instantly come to mind are Whitney Houston and Marvin Gaye. According to the world, Whitney sang it perfectly and Marvin’s rendition was very creative.

The next part, “I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong.” The fact that he had to state the obvious, which was that he’s the “darker brother”, says a lot. It is obvious. Him saying it leads to him basically saying that having darker brothers around is embarrassing, which is why the darker brothers are sent to the kitchen to eat. I love how he turns into something positive though. Laughter is great for the soul. Good southern cooking is also great for growing healthy and strong, mentally and physically.

The next stanza says, “Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table, when company comes. Nobody’ll dare say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then.” This simply gives me hope that with social work, determination, consistence, and time, some people won’t even have the opportunity to tell us (the darker brothers) where we can and cannot sit or eat.

“Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed – I, too, am America.”

This does nothing but make my melanin smile. They’ll see that the darker brother is also the talented and intelligent brother. By that point, they’ll realize that they have missed out on a lot of experience.

The one thing that I appreciate the most is that his words have stood the test of time. They were relevant in his time period, and they still are in 2019.

GONE- book one in GONE series

How do I even begin this blog? I’ve been reading this book for about a week and I finished it to day. I nearly fainted at the end over how good it was. I have this habit of reading unnaturally fast when the climax is happening, and this entire book is one giant climax. I couldn’t take my eyes off the page.

It begins with people disappearing (hence the title) and all that is left is kids the age fourteen and younger. There is a dome over their entire town, as if they had been shoved into an egg. They spend the entire novel trying to figure out why, but also while fighting other problems.

So as the story progresses, the reader begins to realize that there are mutations happening not only in animals but in humans. The reason for this is that they live next to a radioactivity research plant that fifteen years prior had blown up and radiation had seeped into the earth. The officials of the town had tried to cover up what had happened and never did a major clean up.

Anyways, these kids are left here. It is absolute chaos. No one knows where to go or what to do or who is in charge. Everyone begins to look towards the main character Sam for answers. He had been a part of the mutations, that at this point in the story no one knew about. He could control concentrated light so powerful it can burn holes through thick concrete.

Kids from the private school, Coates, begin to come down to Perido Beach. The explain to the kids there that they have begun to run out of food and think they should all work together. Caine is the leader of them all. At first all is well, until Caine takes over. He has the power to move matter. He has mastered his ability, unlike Sam, who can only use it when he is afraid.

Caine begins his all powerful reign. It isn’t until a young girl named Bette is killed by a bully that Caine commanded to beat people that Sam decides he needs to step up an do something.

Sam and his group of misfits leave Perido Beach while running from Caine and his goons. They meet a girl in the dessert who has the ability to heal people with just the touch of her hands. She comes in handy after this encounter, however, she brings trouble with her. Coyotes have mutates and are after her. The Pack Leader has the ability to make words aloud, but I wouldn’t say he can talk. He can croak broken sentences. He says that the healer must teach him. The Darkness told him to.

The plot thickens after recieving word about “The Darkness.” who is that? Are they the reason they are here? I’m not sure because it isn’t answered in this first book.

Anyways, as it turns out Caine and Sam were twin brothers, which is why they are both so powerful. We still don’t know who their father is, but I imagine that will become a bif part of the story. Sam defeats Caine, but lets him live for SOME reason. They defeated the big “poof” which is what they call it when your fifteenth birthday occurs and you disappear. A person from your past appears to you and tries to take you away wilingly, but it turns out that it isn’t a person at all, but it is the darkness. The book ends with Caine seeking out the darkness. So, maybe after this next book I will figure it out and be able to let you guys know what that is

Club Penguin Review

Recently, I went back to one of my childhood games, somethingI had spent much time dreaming and writing fan fiction about during middle school-chub Penguin! Club penguin is an online multiplayer game in which you portray your own, customizable penguin. The game has mini games within itself (in which you can earn coins to trade in for other goods in the game), music, as well as missions you can complete. SO, without further ado, lets take a look at Club Penguin.

Graphics

4/10

The graphics aren’t overly amazing, and then to be a bit pixelated at times, but considering this game was originally made in the earlier 2000’s, I’d consider it pretty good! It has a nostalgic feel for me, especially. surprisingly, the mini games have to most detailed illustration and backgrounds.

customizable’s

10/10

In Club Penguin, there are a variety of colors and accessories to give your penguin. The catalouge for clothing changes each month, with specila event items being added. As a teenager, I can appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into designing all these items. As a kid, I think its the coolest thing ever, and want every single clothing item ever.

Music

7/10

The music in this game, I’ve noticed, tends to be a loop of about 30-second pieces. The music is not overly simple, and not overly complicated. it all seems to fit it’s designated location/game/event perfectly.

Story

5/10

While there is not one specific storyline to Club Penguin, there are many branches of stories you can have your penguin explore. One of these is the EPF (Elite Penguin Force) in which you complete a series of quests to help other penguins, and defeat the evil villain Herbert P. Bear. The dialogue is easy enough for a child to follow, and fun for all ages.

The world of Club Penguin also has a newspaper that is updated frequently. This can help improve reading skills,as well as keep the player up to date.

My personal favorite story-realted event in Club Penguin was found in the Theater. CLub penguin has a variety of plays players are able to perform. There area a variety of scripts. Though most of htme do not carrya strong plot line, they are humerous, and make refrences to a variety of time periods and genres. For example, Space Adventure Planet Y is a futuristic sci-fi, while The Twelfth Fish is a pun-filled Shakespearian focused play.

Overall, I would give Club Penguin a 7/10. Club Penguin was a major part of my life growing up, and I do believe it helped develop my love for music, fashion, and general socialization. Though the official Club Penguin closed down years ago, I can still see all the effort being put in to the new fan-made remake of the game. While writing this blog, I found out a lot about what went into the production of this game, and I have to say that it is amazing. The Club Penguin team put in years of dedication to make their dream om etrue, and that in itself should be applauded.

Where Things Come Back Chapters 1-13

SPOILERS AHEAD.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley has so far been one of the strangest books I have ever read. Cullen Witter, a boy from small town Lily, Alabama begins telling this story by identifying his cousin’s dead body. Goes home, barely mourns, talks about how dumb his cousin was, and sleeps next to his little brother, Grabriel, who he admires for being able to be himself when Cullen remains awkward and self-deprecating.

His best friend, Lucas Cader is the total opposite. He is charming and popular. Everyone likes him and knows him. The reason Lucas is friends with Cullen is, in his words, “because they just are.” They are a very strange pair, and since Lucas’s older brother died in a car accident, he is very attached to Gabriel as well and kind of resides as another older, more protective brother for him.

There is also Ada Taylor, who is a Black Widow. Both of her boyfriends has died, and in the beginning she’s dating the bully, jock guy who she later leaves. Right after she leaves, he is an accident that leaves him paralyzed. Still, Cullen is “in love” with her. Weird.

So basically, a dude comes to Lily and see’s this woodpecker that is supposed to be extinct, and then the whole town goes crazy. It’s discussed that this is the first exciting thing to happen in the town in ages and it’s a symbol of hope. It almost becomes an obsession for everyone. Then, out of no where, Gabriel disappears. Reports go out, the family is falling apart. Lucas borderline starts losing his mind. A fifteen year old boy just disappears out of thin air. Cullen convinces himself that he’s dead. It’s a whole mess, but I notice that Cullen disassociates a lot. When something big is happening, like a spirit guide making them dig 10-feet under ground because she is convinced that Gabriel is dead and is buried in this certain spot, he begins to imagine the spirit guide performing a ritual that makes his brother appear covered in mud and blood. Or imagines bullies as zombies and him as a slayer or something. He is very… Creative.

Cullen has also went from messing around with a 19 year old who is in the middle of a divorce, and then she breaks up with her because it gets too serious (Dudes). All the while Lucas is in a very committed long-term relationship with this girl named Molly.

Then guess what, Ada Taylor and Cullen get together! Woah. Who saw that coming? okay literally, that was the only part in this book so far that was predictable, and that’s okay because everything else still has me puzzled.

At this point, I’m a little over half way done, but I have no clue what to expect next. It’s all so strange, and it carries this erry nostalgic anxiety to it. I really hope they find out what happened to Gabriel. I also want to know what is up with this woodpecker, is it real? Did that dude just claim to see it for fame? Is Cullen going to die now that he has bee with The Ada Taylor? I don’t know, but the author has me stumped and pumped to see where this goes.

Talking to the Moon – KREAM (크림)

A/N: If you would like, please listen to this song as you read this article. Enjoy!

English Translation:

I know you’re somewhere far away,
The night when the blue star lights me up in the room. lean on the window

Wait for the clouds to wobble in the wind
When the full moon gets an eclipse in my submerged pupil

Talking to the moon
Stay up all night with my eyes open
Talking to the moon
Maybe you’ll see the moon and talk to me

I expect like a fool
Try to call you but can not reach
Please, oh please, my baby

Someday when you listen to my voice in your dreams
Open your lips. Don’t hesitate to answer. You miss me too

Wait for the clouds to wobble in the wind
Heart filled of longing
When the full moon gets an eclipse in my submerged pupil

Talking to the moon
Stay up all night with my eyes open
Talking to the moon
Maybe you’ll see the moon and talk to me

I expect like a fool
Try to call you but can not reach
Please, oh please, my baby

Talking to the moon
Stay up all night with my eyes open
Talking to the moon
Maybe you’ll see the moon and talk to me

I expect like a fool
Try to call you but can not reach
Please, oh please, my baby

KREAM, or Kim Do Hun, is a Korean Indie singer and songwriter that is fairly underground in the K-Indie fan community. According to CelebMix, he debuted in 2014 after going through eight years of training in order to be an ‘idol’ (what Korean groups/singers are called). He went into the entertainment industry wanting to become an idol member. After a while, KREAM decided that he would rather write and perform his own music in order to personally touch the hearts of whoever was willing to listen. With that decision in mind, he set off and debuted as a solo artist under the production label KREAM Records – his own label. KREAM has written some of the most beautiful, emotional music I have ever listened to since the start of his career. Many of his songs varying in feel and topic. However, one song in particular drew me into Do Hun and allowed me to connect with him for those three minutes and twenty-two seconds that he graciously provided us.

In CelebMix’s interview, he stated that the most important part of writing a song is the emotion and conditions of a moment. He says that his personality changed throughout his career; he became calm and poetic. In one of his most popular songs, “Talking to the Moon”, it seems as if Do Hun was writing the lyrics with his soul itself being the pen and ink. He expresses his change in personality through the song itself. Within the first few minutes of the song, there’s a wave of emotion that the audience can’t particularly identify. It feels as if there’s a mixture of peace, sorrow, lonesomeness, and emptiness all within the lyrics of the song and mingled with the emotional power that he sings with.

The lyrics describe his relationship with the ‘moon’ which could symbolize a lover, or an emotion; I personally feel as if it’s a combination of both. Regardless of the symbolism, he personifies this moon and his words hold so much sorrow whilst trying to get a hold of this love of his. The moon won’t respond to him, but every night he continuously stays awake in order to reach his love. It describes the sorrow of not being able to be there for the one you love. He paints a mental and auditory picture of constantly asking the moon to relay his messages to the one he loves and not getting the answer he desperately wants. His voice sounds as if it’s driven him to have this conversation with the moon out of habit, eventually, and he’s pleading in sadness. A lyric that stood out to me was, “Wait for the clouds to wobble in the wind, heart filled of longing, when the full moon gets an eclipse in my submerged pupil.” When a person loves someone, it’s said that their pupils dilate – or get bigger. The lyric expresses that even though he can’t have his love and is sorrowful because of it, his love is still strong. The moon has become his love, serving as a stand-in for his lover, which makes his love feel stronger when he talks to it. He uses repetition as well to portray the constant cycle of going back and forth trying to get to this person. It’s like a routine. It highlights the determination of his heart and mind and the despair that he feels. The repetition makes his goal feel hard to reach. It’s disappointing.

The overall tone of the song feels dream-like and it can send anyone into a trance. It’s filled with hidden symbolism and heaviness withing the words he sings. There’s not many songs that I find that make me feel the way “Talking to the Moon” does. I feel trapped but at peace at the same time. His words feel like a blanket wrapping around the listener and feeling it with sorrow and peace simultaneously. This was truly one of his best songs and he portrays the emotion so well with each performance and recording.

To Kim Do Hun,

Thank you for being a light in my life and others’ – for allowing us to listen to your heart.

Lana Del Rey – Ride Monologue

Here lately I’ve been really inspired by the work of Lana Del Rey. I know, I know, I’m a tad bit late, but I will say that her lyrics and writing have really influenced some of my own writing in the past month or so. I found it only fitting that I review one of her monologues (which happens to be my favorite) as a thank you for the inspiration she has granted me.

Also, I highly suggest that if you’re reading this that you also go listen to her read it because it honestly makes it so much more magical.

My words and thoughts will be in red:)

Ride Monologue- Lana Del Rey

I was in the winter of my life

Usually, when someone says that they are in the winter of their life, that means that they are going through a tough time or a rough patch.
And the men I met along the road were my only summer

Meaning, the men she met were the only ones that made her truly happy.
At night I fell asleep with visions of myself dancing and laughing and crying with them

She wishes to be with them (be happy) all the time.
Three years down the line of being on an endless world tour and my memories of them were the only things that sustained me

These two lines remind me a lot of how I get when I’m in a situation that I don’t like. I tend to imagine situations that make me happy to get myself away from the discomfort. These two lines truly resonated with me.
And my only real happy times

Clarification:)

I was a singer
Not a very popular one
I once had dreams of becoming a beautiful poet

These three lines always seem to make me smile because it really shows how us as artists tend to think that we are less than we are. Most people know who Lana Del Rey is, and I’d say she is fairly popular. Personally, I also believe that her poetry is beautiful. It’s just so interesting to see just how critical we can be to ourselves as artists.
But upon an unfortunate series of events saw those dreams dashed and divided like a million stars in the night sky

I love the metaphorical sense that this gave off.
That I wished on over and over again, sparkling and broken

I also love the use of repetition here that creates emphasis.
But I didn’t really mind because I knew that it takes getting everything you ever wanted and then losing it to know what true freedom is

This is honestly such a good life lesson in general. I really appreciate the fact that she put this in the monologue because she does have a generally younger audience (people ranging from teenagers to young adults.) This could honestly be the right advise at the right time for someone.

When the people I used to know found out what I had been doing how I had been living, they asked me why, but there’s no use in talking to people who have a home
They have no idea what its like to seek safety in other people
For home to be wherever you lie your head

This is my favorite stanza in this entire monologue because I never thought of home being “wherever you lie your head.” I love what she did with this stanza, and the way she expressed the way she views this certain thing is honestly beautiful.

I was always an unusual girl

I remember reading this line for the first time and saying to myself, “same.”
My mother told me that I had a chameleon soul

I appreciated the fact that she made it even more personal by including her mother.
No moral compass pointing due north
No fixed personality

Love the repetition.
Just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean
And if I said I didn’t plan for it to turn out this way I’d be lying

This entire stanza is the perfect example of a Gemini. (I just looked it up, and indeed, Lana is a Gemini.)

Because I was born to be the other woman

This line really hit me hard because of how much it holds even though it is just a few words.
Who belonged to no one
Who belonged to everyone
Who had nothing
Who wanted everything

This also had the same affect on me as the line before. Just absolutely beautiful.
With a fire for every experience and an obsession for freedom that terrified me to the point that I couldn’t even talk about it
And pushed me to a nomadic point of madness that both dazzled and dizzied me

I almost feel like this isn’t finished. But, then again she could have intended it to be that way.

Overall, this monologue is very raw and real. I really enjoyed how I could get a clear cut picture of how she is feeling throughout the piece. The song that follows after this is beautiful as well, and gives more clarity on why Lana is how she is. I could really see into her mind in this piece, and I greatly appreciate that because it takes a lot to be vulnerable and put your emotions out for the entire world to see.

If I could write like anyone, I would write like Rachel Calnek-Sugin: a review

Okay, so it’s like title says, I really really want to write like this one poet, Rachel Calnek Sugin. Recently I asked my senior, Katie, what some good poets are she recommended me a set of poems that won a prize. She had actually read one at a coffee house once. I remember taking a liking to the poem, “Ebola in Dallas:, but I didn’t ask what it was.

When I got her poetry recommendation, I went through each one individually and eventually found this poetry collection of sorts. I’m not sure if they all are supposed to go together as a set, but they all three won an award together, so I will be reviewing them together. Here is the link if you would like to read along with me. If you don’t read this review, I would at LEAST read the poems themselves. There is something so magical about them. Link to Collection

The first one is the famous,

Ebola in Dallas

To start off with this one, I just want to mention how vividly I remember the Ebola outbreak. I was in middle school, and being the anxious person I am, I was terrified of it. I was cuddled up in a comforter on my brown living room couch, and I felt paralyzed with fear. My grandparents live in Houston, and just like the poem states a lot, Dallas isn’t too far off. An otherworldly problem suddenly became one extremely close to home.

Besides my own personal connection to the poem itself, I love how the author picks apart the privilege that a lot of Americans possess. It takes a lot of guts to call out your own privilege in a piece of writing.

The repetition of ideas, like the dying baby, brought a lot to the poem, It not only makes the reader sympathize, but also empathize. It becomes a poem that isn’t just about a child dying of Ebola, but it twists it into one that is themselves or their child dying of Ebola.

At Thurgood Marshall

Living in the south, this one makes a lot of sense to me, especially being a white girl of privilege.

To recap the poem, this girl is taking the ACT at a school that isn’t their own, up in Harlem. For those who don’t know, Harlem is usually thought of an extremely unsafe neighborhood, and most even think of it is a majority African-american neighborhood.

So the tone of this poem is morphed into an uncomfortableness, not because she feels unsafe, but she feels out of place. It isn’t hard to pick up that she is obviously well-off while others are not. I love how they paint this with the dialogue. She is asked where she goes to school, and it recounts how she is ashamed to say that she goes to a school where there are smart boards in every class and that has a college attendance rate of 100%. The other kids in the class have to ask for a calculator, assumed to be because they cannot afford one.

I even think its interesting how she is aware of her own unconscious bias within the poem. Again, I think its commendable to point out ones own flaws, and want to change them.

When My Go Out I Eat Breakfast For Dinner and Pee With the Door Open

This.

I just am utterly speechless every time I read this. This is by far my favorite in the collection. For one, the title. It doesn’t obviously have to do with the contents of the poem, but it makes me think of my own teenage life, which is a theme throughout the poem.

Again, the author points out her own flaws and hypocrisy, which is adds so much depth.

I also enjoy how she recounts her life and separate memories that wouldn’t seem like they have much to do with another, but she makes them all flow into each other. Its truly just flawless.

To wrap it up as a poem without spoiling too many specifics, the ending is done so well because of how she wraps everything back, and even makes the ending line a new punch. It made me think back to the poem, and brought a completely new element.

All in all, this collection is stunning, and I might just frame it for my dorm room.