Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Tianna Clark for supplying me with an ARC copy of Scorched Earth to read and review. 

Clark’s poetry structure immediately stands out to me as a reader. It is melodic while holding a strong control over the pace of the reader. Clark’s voice shines through her writing- it is clear that these poems are meant to be performed out loud. It was refreshing for me to read long poems that contrast the current popularity of two-liners in contemporary publishing. Clark draws inspiration from and references other great poets and pop culture figures, from John Keats to Nelly. These references coalesce in a way that is unexpected and creates a unique experience for the reader- I had many “ah-ha” moments as I read. In Scorched Earth, you’ll find themes of womanhood, sexuality, queerness, and the black identity. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I journeyed through this well curated collection. My personal favorites are “Self-Portrait at Divorce” and “Self-Portrait at 35: Terror.”