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Love and Other Small Wars
Love and Other Small Wars reminds us that when you come back from combat usually the most fatal of wounds are not visible. Riley’s debut collection is an arsenal of deeply personal poems that embody an intensity that is truly impressive yet their hands are tender. She enlists you. She gives you camouflage & a pair of boots so you can stay the course through the minefield of her heart. You will track the lovely flow of her soft yet fierce voice through a jungle of powerful imagery on womanhood, relationships, family, grief, sexuality & love, amidst other matters. Battles with the heart aren’t easily won but Riley hits every mark. You’ll be relieved that you’re on the same side. Much like war, you’ll come back from this book changed.
76 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2014
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4251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 5, 2018
This book was read for the #readwomen month.
Her "How To Love Your Depressed Lover" was the one reason I even looked at this short book, a poem about what it is like to have someone next to you, laying beside you, but unable to reach them, for their mind is far away, in a void that only shines black at them when the world only wishes to shine for them. And then I read her other poems and realized she is not a one-hit-wonder. No, her poetry has a level of allure and truthfulness that calls you to her. Riley's voice murmurs by your ear, and no matter how low, it is still there, a constant sign of uplifting spirits and verity. I recommend one listens to Avicii's "Hope There's Someone" when reading this, it will make the experience even more enjoyable.
Her "How To Love Your Depressed Lover" was the one reason I even looked at this short book, a poem about what it is like to have someone next to you, laying beside you, but unable to reach them, for their mind is far away, in a void that only shines black at them when the world only wishes to shine for them. And then I read her other poems and realized she is not a one-hit-wonder. No, her poetry has a level of allure and truthfulness that calls you to her. Riley's voice murmurs by your ear, and no matter how low, it is still there, a constant sign of uplifting spirits and verity. I recommend one listens to Avicii's "Hope There's Someone" when reading this, it will make the experience even more enjoyable.
July 20, 2014
You know when you know a person you tend to forget how amazing they are. Not because you don't love them or because that love somehow makes them average, but because you spend so long in their company that you get engulfed in their genius and just, sort of...forget. I've known Donna (Lenny) for about three years now. I fell in love with her because of How To Love Your Depressed Lover and stayed in love with her because not only is she a talented and raw writer, she's also an incredibly funny, smart and witty person. The writing, eventually, took the back burner. She stopped me Lenore the writer, and became Lenny the friend.
That is until Love and Other Small Wars arrived at my door. I read it in one sitting which is impressive enough because I haven't managed to finish any book (poetry or otherwise) for months on end. The thing is, I'd forgotten what words can do to you. I'm picky about poetry. I go halfway through a piece and lose interest. I shrug and think to myself "I've got the feel of this piece and now I don't need to read anymore of it. I know."
I didn't know with Lenny's work. I sat, lump in throat, tears in my eyes, and devoured this entire volume. And then I held it to my chest and thought to myself "Jesus Christ, I am so grateful and so thankful to have known her."
Friendship aside, Lenny writes lines that work as a sucker punch. One to the stomach, and one to the throat and before you know it, you're huddled in a fetal position on the floor, making strange hiccuping noises. Because of words, damn it, her words. Words she takes very gently between her two palms, before twisting them into exactly the kind of shape she wants them to be. And oh, what beautiful shapes she makes. Her writing, reminiscent of Jeanann Verlee, at some points, reminiscent of the raw bloody fists of Siken, take you by the throat and shake you. With lines like "call you mother, remember that you are the only person who knows what her heart sounds like from the inside" and "the first night we made love, I learned God exists. I found Him in the lining of your skin, I found Him in your throat" this book is a killer. A stone cold one. Who makes you enjoy it.
So Lenny, hats off, I salute you for the pleasure and even more, for the pain.
That is until Love and Other Small Wars arrived at my door. I read it in one sitting which is impressive enough because I haven't managed to finish any book (poetry or otherwise) for months on end. The thing is, I'd forgotten what words can do to you. I'm picky about poetry. I go halfway through a piece and lose interest. I shrug and think to myself "I've got the feel of this piece and now I don't need to read anymore of it. I know."
I didn't know with Lenny's work. I sat, lump in throat, tears in my eyes, and devoured this entire volume. And then I held it to my chest and thought to myself "Jesus Christ, I am so grateful and so thankful to have known her."
Friendship aside, Lenny writes lines that work as a sucker punch. One to the stomach, and one to the throat and before you know it, you're huddled in a fetal position on the floor, making strange hiccuping noises. Because of words, damn it, her words. Words she takes very gently between her two palms, before twisting them into exactly the kind of shape she wants them to be. And oh, what beautiful shapes she makes. Her writing, reminiscent of Jeanann Verlee, at some points, reminiscent of the raw bloody fists of Siken, take you by the throat and shake you. With lines like "call you mother, remember that you are the only person who knows what her heart sounds like from the inside" and "the first night we made love, I learned God exists. I found Him in the lining of your skin, I found Him in your throat" this book is a killer. A stone cold one. Who makes you enjoy it.
So Lenny, hats off, I salute you for the pleasure and even more, for the pain.
May 10, 2014
This made my heart ache in the best way possible reminding me that I'm alive.
February 25, 2014
Finally was able to read Donn'a amazing collection of poetry and it's just as amazing as I imagined it. On first discovering her poetry through tumblr and falling more in love with her words and the honesty in her pieces she soon became one of my favorite poets. With amazing powerful pieces such as Consequences which speaks about the struggle with sexuality. The Battle i've made of loving really hit on a personal level. Exhibit X touches on all the small wars that no one talks and gets dust under the rug because as Andrea Gibson said, "Nobody wants to hear you cry about the grief inside your bones." I completely loved A Conversation with my grief... because this poem takes you through a journey that many of us have in our minds and in the end you reach a sense of acceptance. As a whole this collection of poems is unforgettable, honest, powerful, liberating, filled with love, acceptance in yourself and helps you understand your sadness and grief in ways I couldn't possibly put to words. I can't wait to re-read this beautiful book!
August 6, 2015
My English teacher told me about Donna-Marie Riley and gave me the link to her Tumblr. I remember being so shocked to realise that I had become familiar with some of her work already. When he told me that her first poetry book was "witty," I knew I had to buy it.
It was delivered today, and I dove in and have come out a person with a new perspective of poetry and the world. Her words are so interesting and wild. They're not sophisticated, but that's what makes it so gorgeous. Donna-Marie (I knew her as Lenore online) throws her poetry at you; it's a force to be reckoned with.
I loved every second of it.
It was delivered today, and I dove in and have come out a person with a new perspective of poetry and the world. Her words are so interesting and wild. They're not sophisticated, but that's what makes it so gorgeous. Donna-Marie (I knew her as Lenore online) throws her poetry at you; it's a force to be reckoned with.
I loved every second of it.
June 9, 2014
This woman has a gift and it's practically osmosing onto these pages you read. I don't know if you can call this writing. It seems more like a direct transference of self. Because it comes from deeper within the heart or even the mind, and goes beyond the word straight to the intestines. Your guts. That's what she wants. That's what it will take to read this and not dismantle.
December 20, 2014
It's the type of poetry that cuts you open, shows you all the parts you didn't know were hidden there (or at least tried your best to ignore), sticks needles in and pokes all around, leaves a huge mess, then stitches you back together. It will give you a sheet of Panadol, and tells you you're good to go.
NO. But ok.
Ps. thanks Noura for sharing this with me.
NO. But ok.
Ps. thanks Noura for sharing this with me.
Read
January 20, 2015While reading this book;
I teared when words gathered around to speak out things i failed to word out by myself.
I cried,
In my bed,
At work and the doctor's waiting room,
Even cried in a cashier-queue
But i cried the most when it ended.
I teared when words gathered around to speak out things i failed to word out by myself.
I cried,
In my bed,
At work and the doctor's waiting room,
Even cried in a cashier-queue
But i cried the most when it ended.
November 18, 2015
This poetry collection tears you apart and puts you back together again. One of my absolute favorites by a poet with a soft presence capable of making you feel everything and all at once with her craft. A definite must read if you have not done so.
May 11, 2014
Thank you, Noura, for recommending Love and Other Small Wars to me. <3
This was a very violent and undisguised read. The poems balance out raw emotion and wonder so well. I loved it.
This was a very violent and undisguised read. The poems balance out raw emotion and wonder so well. I loved it.
May 12, 2014
Heartbreakingly beautiful. I look forward to more of Donna-Marie Riley's poetry.
July 1, 2014
her words ripped me. I thought at a lot of times that I was reading my own thoughts, and it's so beautiful to find. I want to read more of this.
November 5, 2014
Beautiful, very beautiful.
August 3, 2016
Poetry to make you ache. As always Donna writes beautifully, and this book is a treasure to pull out on rainy days and sad nights, or whenever you need to breathe.
June 25, 2014
These poems speak to me in so many levels. I felt every word <3
November 14, 2014
The words cut you open, shushes at you, then sews you back up, leaving you the same on the outside as the day you picked it up. But inside, you feel so much different.
April 16, 2016
Sometimes I can understand
why Sylvia Plath put her head
in an oven; there are things
in my head, too,
that I would like to catch fire.
why Sylvia Plath put her head
in an oven; there are things
in my head, too,
that I would like to catch fire.
July 4, 2016
I gravitated towards this after feeling heavy for sometime and I inhaled every word in it and now my chest is heavier but I know it'll be okay.
December 3, 2020
Everytime I read a book I prepare sticky notes beforehand; to mark the words that touched the deepest parts of my heart and spoke to me the most. I reserve them for words, that showed me a new perspective of things, made me feel things I haven't before, and make me feel a heartbreak of a kind I never experienced. For this collection I needed a total of 2 notes.
On the back of this book it said:
"She inspires her readers and creates an indelible need of them to consume more of her exceptional poetry."
Does she though?
The back cover also said:
"Riley's poems are personal, lyrical and so vibrant they practically leap off the page, which also makes them terrifying at times."
I can see how these poems are personal; a big chunk of them felt more like the authors horny rambles and trauma vent instead of thought-provoking messages. The other claims though? The only thing that terrifies me was how disappointed I am that I spent money on this book.
Does every woman need to be hard and bitter and unyielding and made of teeth? "She was made of Coca-Cola. Concentrated sugar." What the fuck does this mean? Is your girl giving you diabetes?
I am ashamed to admit that I was fooled by a book whose cover was of higher quality than it's contents.
On the back of this book it said:
"She inspires her readers and creates an indelible need of them to consume more of her exceptional poetry."
Does she though?
The back cover also said:
"Riley's poems are personal, lyrical and so vibrant they practically leap off the page, which also makes them terrifying at times."
I can see how these poems are personal; a big chunk of them felt more like the authors horny rambles and trauma vent instead of thought-provoking messages. The other claims though? The only thing that terrifies me was how disappointed I am that I spent money on this book.
Does every woman need to be hard and bitter and unyielding and made of teeth? "She was made of Coca-Cola. Concentrated sugar." What the fuck does this mean? Is your girl giving you diabetes?
I am ashamed to admit that I was fooled by a book whose cover was of higher quality than it's contents.
May 30, 2017
More of a 3.5!
As with most collections of poetry I've read, there were some that seemed to come from my soul and others that didn't quiet connect to me. Nevertheless, the writing was beautiful and melodic. Would definitely recommend!
As with most collections of poetry I've read, there were some that seemed to come from my soul and others that didn't quiet connect to me. Nevertheless, the writing was beautiful and melodic. Would definitely recommend!
December 5, 2025
thank you donna
September 5, 2014
reading material on the passenger seat of a stalled time machine. what I mean is this book's presence allows no transport. in it, the poems 'Consequences' and 'History' will put you on your back. a very real fist, sure, but oh, those cartoon stars.
December 6, 2015
"Riley's work is wise, intense, affecting, and uniquely crafted. This collection illuminates her ability to write with both a gentle hand and a bold spirit. She inspires her readers and creates an indelible need inside of them to consume more of her exceptional poetry." - April Michelle Bratten
May 13, 2014
This book has some really great and beautiful poems in it. Don't focus too much on my rating, go read it.
October 22, 2015
It's raw and honest. I loved it
April 8, 2016
This book was an "okay" book. There were some really good poems and some okay ones.
Read
May 20, 2016I loved it. I liked how it was written and will keep this book to look back on in the future.
May 14, 2017
You'll only know when you read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2023
I wish I’d enjoyed this more. “How to love your depressed lover” was by far my favourite poem. But the others lacked emotional insight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews