Wildlives

by Sarah Jean Alexander

Wildlives is a scrapbook of poems and of short stories, of nightmares and of daydreams, of love letters and of prayer cards. In her debut collection, Sarah Jean Alexander asks (and answers) the hardest questions about love and loneliness and 21st century human survival. Wildlives excavates the depths of heartbreak, hope, and helplessness that can exist between two people in a small, human world.

http://biglucks.bigcartel.com/product...

Genres: Poetry

90 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Dottie B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now, I found this book on my nephew's nightstand. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson by now! But no, I like to keep an open mind, which is something I think you're supposed to do with people who wear used clothing. (HE SMELLS LIKE MOTHBALLS) ANYWAY I really thought this book, with its title and the ocean waves, was going to be a Wild Tale about the Ocean like my Favorite TV show, Deadliest Catch. LIES! I don't think people should be celebrating wild lives. Lives are best spent safe at home (THIS is coming from someone with two speeding tickets! YIKES heehee) with their loved ones. Not to say I haven't had wild times as a young woman like Alexandria Jean. One time I stole a 5th Avenue candy bar from a Western Auto. (They sell car parts.) I guess in this day and age you could write a poem about something as stupid as that. Back in my day you had to actually go do something before calling yourself a poet, like fighting wars, or killing a kid. Stealing a candy bar does not make literature. I know this. I didn't even major in English and I know that. You're also supposed to show and not tell. Show me the money, Alexandria Jean Sampsen!!!!!!!! I want my $14 back! Oh wait LOL I didn't buy this book. Never you mind! OK time for bed. Gonna snuggle up to Roger now and dream of The Ohio State University national championships, where dreams and destiny collide. Go Buckeyes!

[Jamie Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. And others love it so much that two separate people have long-borrowed / temporarily stolen it and I haven't even had it for six months. Read this book and get NOW for a bit.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

but have you ever thought
about how efficient
a person's smile is
as a form of communication,
and that ghosts only exist
because we are all afraid
of being alone,
and how,
if we try,
we can sit very quietly
for long periods of time.
i don't want to be your friend anymore
but it is very hard for me
to end things
when you are being
so fake-nice to me
and all i can do
is sort of real-smile back
because i am always 100% confused
by the intentions of others

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SJA will dig into your heart. These poems cause a panic - because there is a panic to live and feel every moment, every rock. There is a devotion to experience.

[Brooks Sterritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The sun will begin to compete with the top of a nearby cathedral spire and ultimately the sun will lose."

[Robert Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Sarah's first book. It has some poems that are nearly perfect poems, and most books of poetry are lucky if they have one, truly good poem, but Wildlives has a few that are super great poems, poems that made me quit reading, and in the words of Snoop: "Shit, this ain't no joke. I had to back up off of it and sit my cup down."

[Jamieiredell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book of poems. This is what love poems ought to feel like: kind of like buying shit at Ikea for no reason other than to ship it along with yr cat and hairbrush or other bullshit along with a most precious note off to your beloved who lives next door. I was eating pizza while I read this. The book was better than the pizza.

[Bryony Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I was born with these two palms and I do not blame you / for what I've done with them since"

[Sarah Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

sarah jean alexander is so precious. universe, protect this human.

[Bob Comparda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's wild how good these poems are. These are poems about existing on your own terms and loving on your own terms. Powerful and slightly dark. I felt moved by almost every poem. If you like poetry definitely pick this book up.

[RaeJeana · Rating 5 out of 5]

SJA is a universe in a person. Her collection is made up of a bunch of universes.

[Susie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was glad to read Sarah's book. there were both familiar and unfamiliar moments for me in this. Only unfamiliar insofar as the poems were more image heavy than I thought, and it was navigating these kind of weird worlds to understand what was going on. It was interesting to see stones and birds as prominent themes, knowing that Sarah lives in New York. There are more familiar, every day, raw, emotional pieces alongside these other more metaphorical pieces. I guess this is why it is called "Wild Lives' maybe !!! Hehe. I don't know why I'm writing so much. It was a journey. It is a strong collection. In the middle of the book there is a sticker of Sarah's face and I wonder if Stacey will miss it if I take it from her copy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are great poems, and the whole book is both interesting and enjoyable to read. Like, I could read many poems in a sitting and be happy about it--a hard balance, methinks. Also, I really want to teach some of these to high school students (when I have high school students again). They are a great inroad to contemporary poetry--not capital-c Contemporary poetry, mind you, but poetry being written today by poets that aren't ancient.

[Matt Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry that cuts right to the bone. At times, the selections here feel so intimate, it's like you've stumbled on the author's personal diary. This book is an honest look at the human condition, both the parts that make sense and the parts that don't.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have two copies of this book because i like it so much

[Rae Beeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved most of this collection

[Roselynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a writer myself this little book gave me the courage to continue to write down everything and anything in the hope that one day I could publish something as beautiful as this.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good, great, and nice job :)