we too grew familiar to the night
and began to love
entirely in Sunday mornings. ~ Opening of Sunday Sugar
Sunday Sugar
by Q. Gibson
2017, 178 pgs
I read Sunday Sugar as I waited for my daughter's school to be let out one Friday afternoon several months ago. I cried. I smiled a lot. I felt the warmth emanating from the pages, flowing over me as I read. I found the poems self-affirming and beautiful. It is a collection of poems and aphorisms about healing and and the power of the human spirit. Gibson's poems are often simply written and yet pack so much meaning, giving voice to women, including those whose voices are often ignored or silenced historically. I had planned to talk about the book earlier in the year, but the moment slipped by me. I find myself reading this collection again, feeling the power and hope in Q. Gibson's words. I have not read the author's previous work, which I need to remedy. Hers is a voice this world needs to hear more of.
Here are a few of the Q. Gibsons poems from Sunday Sugar that especially spoke to me:
Here are a few of the Q. Gibsons poems from Sunday Sugar that especially spoke to me:
Some days
the world tries to
end me
so I wake
and create a new one.
*
She planted her feet
and finally she stood there
blooming from all the places that once withered.
*
And whether I come
carrying a hurricane
or bearing the sun
I am still a woman
I am still allowed to
be a small calamity
a catastrophe and a
miracle all at once.
*
Tears are a soul teach
a breath away from
lesson
a stream away
from
mending.
*
Though I break
I bare my bones before
the world and do not weep
because the world
breaks too
I have watched it
ample times crumble
and still find its way
into tomorrow.
What do you think? Do any of these poems speak to you? Have you read any poetry lately?
For more information about the author and her writing, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter.
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Poetry has never been my cup of tea, but I must admit I like these - in particular the one about being a woman.
ReplyDeleteVerushka - That is my favorite too, I think.
DeleteI need to learn to connect with poetry more.
ReplyDeleteKathy - It's a work in progress for me. I am very much an emotional reader and, for me, poetry is all about how it makes me feel when I read it. I try not to get lost in trying to figure out the bigger meaning. I either get it or I don't.
DeleteSunday Sugar sounds like a beautiful collection, I like the snippet you share about "Though I break I bare my bones before..." Fantastic post, I am glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteNaida - It is beautiful! I so glad I got the chance to read it. And I imagine I will do so a lot over the coming years.
DeleteLove that poem! :)
ReplyDeleteLark - Me too!
DeleteOh I really like these. I just love that poetry can make you think of different things and every reader can come away with a different interpretation. Thank you for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Yes! I love that about poetry too. It can speaks differently to each of us.
DeleteI have to admit that I have not read any poetry since I was forced to do so in school. This does sound like a worthwhile collection.
ReplyDeleteCarole - It was because of that forced reading in high school I came to love it and even write poetry myself. Isn't it funny how different our responses can be like that? I do not read poetry often anymore (nor do I write it as often), although I hope to change that.
DeleteI usually struggle to really connect with poetry, but I have to admit that the selections you shared really do speak to me, especially that first one.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - I think a lot depends on the poetry itself for me. Making that connection is so important, isn't it? Otherwise it's just words.
DeleteI rarely read poems, but I've to say these are great! I especially love the first poem. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - I love it too. :-)
DeleteOh, Wendy, what a WONDERFUL, touching, spiritual, inspired, and inspiring collection of poems! I LOVE all of the ones you have quoted here!! :) :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any poetry in the looooongest time, and I see from this beautiful collection that I should really do something about that. So this book is going on my Goodreads shelves as soon as I submit this comment!!
Thanks for featuring this gorgeous collection!! (I do wish the cover were just as gorgeous, but I guess you can't have everything, lol.)
HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! <3 <3 :) :)
Maria - Thank you! The entire collection is wonderful. I am going to try to feature a poetry collection once a month. We shall see how that goes. Haha
DeleteThe cover is rather plain, but I kind of like that.