The thread that connects these poems together is one of survival. Whether it be the survival of Scheherazade, your family, or yourself, Tran contemplates what it means to push forward even while everything is seemingly falling apart. I think there's a lot to be said about the way these poems jump around in time and form, almost as if to reflect the experiences of those who have experienced significant trauma.

I will say that I found the blurb for the collection a bit misleading. I was expecting more on US imperialism (as that was highlighted), only to find that it was barely touched on. While there are apparent themes in this collection, some felt less developed than others, leaving me wanting more than what I was given.

While not the best poetry collection I've read, I still found Tran's exploration of survival to be a powerful one.