Scan barcode
yasmeenestrada's review against another edition
4.0
“I would not long for heaven or for earth more than I’d wish to stay there touched and touching you”
This collection was such a good balance. Political resistance, self reflection, love and heartbreak (her relationships w/ men and women) and so on. Obviously not every piece will be 5/5 but I will say my favorite was the final poem that focused on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. I’ve read June Jordan’s essays before but not her poetry so it was nice to see a different aspect of her work
This collection was such a good balance. Political resistance, self reflection, love and heartbreak (her relationships w/ men and women) and so on. Obviously not every piece will be 5/5 but I will say my favorite was the final poem that focused on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. I’ve read June Jordan’s essays before but not her poetry so it was nice to see a different aspect of her work
ros_scallydandler's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Accomplished and with stunning moments.
luciacostanza's review against another edition
4.0
In your love I am sometimes redeemed
a stranger
to myself.
4lbxrtoii's review against another edition
3.0
“Love is life multiplied by the unknown.”
“I must become the action of your dream.”
This is a heartfelt exploration of love, intimacy, and connection, woven with the personal and political threads that define her poetic voice. The collection speaks to the many facets of love—its tenderness, its passion, and its capacity to transform and sustain us.
There’s no denying the beauty of Jordan’s language; her metaphors are striking, her imagery vivid, and her ability to evoke emotion is undeniable. Poems like “I am amazed by peace” and “Let me show you what love sees when love looks at you” resonated deeply with me, capturing moments of intimacy and awe that feel universal.
However, as much as I appreciated individual poems, the collection as a whole didn’t fully land for me. Some pieces felt repetitive, and while Jordan’s blending of the personal and political is a hallmark of her work, there were moments where it felt like the themes didn’t coalesce as seamlessly as they might have.
That said, Haruko: Love Poems is an important collection, especially for readers who seek poetry that is both deeply personal and unflinchingly honest about the world. It’s a celebration of love in its many forms and a testament to Jordan’s immense talent. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, I can still recognize its significance and recommend it to those who enjoy poetry that challenges and moves them.
“I must become the action of your dream.”
This is a heartfelt exploration of love, intimacy, and connection, woven with the personal and political threads that define her poetic voice. The collection speaks to the many facets of love—its tenderness, its passion, and its capacity to transform and sustain us.
There’s no denying the beauty of Jordan’s language; her metaphors are striking, her imagery vivid, and her ability to evoke emotion is undeniable. Poems like “I am amazed by peace” and “Let me show you what love sees when love looks at you” resonated deeply with me, capturing moments of intimacy and awe that feel universal.
However, as much as I appreciated individual poems, the collection as a whole didn’t fully land for me. Some pieces felt repetitive, and while Jordan’s blending of the personal and political is a hallmark of her work, there were moments where it felt like the themes didn’t coalesce as seamlessly as they might have.
That said, Haruko: Love Poems is an important collection, especially for readers who seek poetry that is both deeply personal and unflinchingly honest about the world. It’s a celebration of love in its many forms and a testament to Jordan’s immense talent. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, I can still recognize its significance and recommend it to those who enjoy poetry that challenges and moves them.
indelirium's review against another edition
4.0
I will love who loves me
I will love as much as I am loved
I will hate who hates me
I will feel nothing for everyone oblivious to me
I will stay indifferent to indifference
I will live hostile to hostility
I will make myself a passionate and eager lover
in response to passionate and eager love
I will be nobody’s fool
I will love as much as I am loved
I will hate who hates me
I will feel nothing for everyone oblivious to me
I will stay indifferent to indifference
I will live hostile to hostility
I will make myself a passionate and eager lover
in response to passionate and eager love
I will be nobody’s fool