A review by papercraftalex
baby, sweetheart, honey by Emily Perkovich

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

This was the first collection of Perkovich's that I've read, and it definitely won't be the last. It's a very intimate and experimental collection. I really loved the lines "There is always the prodding/Always the pinning/The pining/The pawing, pecking, prying/Never the permission" from "my teeth have teeth of their own—After Shriya Bajpai." She incorporates vulgarity in a few of her poems in a way that reflects the constant sexual harassments of women. Comparing these poems to the ones she writes about consensual sex and sex work, it points out the hypocrisy of society saying we need to be sexually open and sexually closed at the same time. She also writes about generational trauma, motherhood, and the abuse she's suffered throughout her life. It's stunningly beautiful and real and I absolutely recommend (though please check the CWs). 

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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