Where I Dry the Flowers

by Ollie Schminkey

If Ollie Schminkey’s Dead Dad Jokes asks the question, "What was it like to watch my father die?", Where I Dry the Flowers asks "How did watching someone die teach me how to live?" This unrestrained and raw sophomore collection explores themes of grief, healing, and forgiveness while refusing to sacrifice the hard truths that come with addiction, care taking, and the death of a loved one. Ollie opens their heart to readers and tells them that these emotions are okay, no matter how conflicting and confusing they may be.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT

96 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[Greta Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

best description of grief I’ve read! missing and loving someone who was flawed and finding a balance! a true work of art

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, I feel like Ollie Schminkey has crawled into my ear and written down my personal experiences directly from my brain. No one can put into words what it feels like for a young person to be a caretaker for a dying father who was not much of a father at all and why they were loved anyway like Ollie Schminkey can.
Not only was the story telling beautiful, but the writing itself was very artistic. I was amazed at the skill it took to format these poems. The topics felt the same as Dead Dad Jokes, but the artistry was much different.

[Ashley T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly good, just like the last one, with further reflection on their relationship with their dad and how grief changes over time. I really liked the structure of a lot of the poems, like the ones that were divided in half so you would read through them three times to get different meanings. And the tracking of grief over three years, with more words erased every year. Super accessible but complex in subject matter.

[Zach Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how Schminkey writes such amazing poems that are simultaneously full of grief and full of laughter. They have this ability to infuse a moment, image, or memory with so much emotional resonance. When I read this, I felt so connected to their story and all the multivalent paths grief takes through us.

[Isaurathewriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's heavy-topic poetry collection. A deep reflect on the loss of their father and how they have tried to move onwards. Ollie, my friend, is a poet with immense talent, who has grown so much from their first poetry book. If that is even possible since that first book which is just as good.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ollie Schminkey is my new favorite poet. This is the 2nd book of theirs that I've read and I will read everything they write.

Where I Dry The Flowers is a hard read- as someone who is estranged from their father and struggles with a relationship,too much of this book hit me deep.

[Molly Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ollie‘s poetry. It is raw and emotional, and I feel like the writing expresses a realness about people we love and dying without sugarcoating it into all good memories while still preserving the love.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fierce, tender, and discerning study of loss and survival. Schminkey's language is vivid enough almost to taste.

[Beau Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be my favorite collection of poems by Schminkey.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most unique and memorable experiences I've ever had as a reader. Such a generous, in-depth exploration of grief and remembrance.

[Carlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ollie is my go-to for grief writing on losing a father. Don't miss anything they write!

[Sydney Aerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, beautiful, and brilliant!

[bookmarkedbusy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The contrapuntal poems in this book were so well put together. This book made me think about love and how difficult it can be

[Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Ouuuuuch

[Eris Varga · Rating 4 out of 5]

See Dead Dad Jokes review, same thoughts.