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The Chaos of Longing
The Chaos of Longing is a brutally honest exploration of desire—physical, emotional, and spiritual. This revised and expanded edition contains over 50 pages of all-new material.
Organized in four sections – Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany – K.Y. Robinson's debut poetry collection explores what it is to want in spite of trauma, shame, injustice, and mental illness. It is one survivor's powerful testimony, and a love letter "to those who lie awake burning."
Organized in four sections – Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany – K.Y. Robinson's debut poetry collection explores what it is to want in spite of trauma, shame, injustice, and mental illness. It is one survivor's powerful testimony, and a love letter "to those who lie awake burning."
118 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
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16453 people want to read
About the author
K.Y. Robinson
6 books341 followersK.Y. Robinson is an introverted writer based in Houston, Texas. She began writing poetry and short stories in her pre-teens after secretly reading letters that her mother wrote to God tucked inside her bible. They taught her a great lesson on vulnerability. As a withdrawn child suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness, Robinson spent a lot of time alone. Writing naturally became her sanctuary.
With unapologetic candor and vivid imagery, Robinson draws inspiration from being a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic. She believes in undressing every emotion until they’re naked and have no where else to turn to but pages. She believes that poetry is the weapon and the healer.
With unapologetic candor and vivid imagery, Robinson draws inspiration from being a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic. She believes in undressing every emotion until they’re naked and have no where else to turn to but pages. She believes that poetry is the weapon and the healer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 890 reviews
March 28, 2017
the galaxy is yours
star your own sky.
drink the shooting stars.
lasso the moon.
take a bite.
feel the juice
of self-love
running
down your chin
and laugh madly.
you’re still alive.
you’re still alive.
you’re still alive.
star your own sky.
drink the shooting stars.
lasso the moon.
take a bite.
feel the juice
of self-love
running
down your chin
and laugh madly.
you’re still alive.
you’re still alive.
you’re still alive.
April 16, 2019
Inception
She felt unappreciated by her parents so she craved love from men. She felt insecure, broken and lost. When she loves a person, she would willingly give it all even if it hurts so much. She needed the affection and affirmation that someone needs her or somehow, she's important.
Longing
The foundation of the relationship/s were built in lust instead of love. Desire, longing and hunger were stronger than friendship. Along the way, she felt alone and question if God gave up on her. She had loved the wrong persons, got attached to unavailable men but she realized that the pain was too unbearable.
Chaos
Everything that had happened to her was in constant repeat. She finally saw how messed up love could be. That being able to wake up from the pain of loving someone was not that easy. And how finally moving on was a lot scary than being used to the heartbreaks it caused her.
Epiphany
She got tired of denying that all she needed all along was self-love and that she needs to know her worth more than anyone or anything. Until she builds her own walls, so high that no one would break in that easily. But redemption was not too late for her to forgive herself because she isn’t broken beyond repair.
lesson learned
i was willing
to learn our pieces
to make us whole.
i grasped
and strangled
every hope
and endured the
asphyxiation of love.
i’ve learned
to breathe
without you.
exit my wounds
so i can heal.
The Chaos of Longing is raw, unfiltered with sharp emotions that will cut you through the bones.
This collection of poems don't just tell a story but will take you to a journey that was equally intimate and personal to the author. The poems were powerfully written that every word felt like I was invading her own private space. She let her readers know her more, rip her open and be a part of her road trip to self-love.
I love that she included trigger warnings on the first page of her collection before readers dive in and she made sure what they would expect out of them. I love how single words like truth, remedy and renewal gave so much impact like I have never appreciated them before. K.Y. Robinson's poems were unabashed yet empowering.
Wrapping up her book with an ultimate positivity and resolution was like giving a fictional story a happy ending. I really recommend this book who would love to read something out of their comfort zone. This would be your next cup of tea.
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She felt unappreciated by her parents so she craved love from men. She felt insecure, broken and lost. When she loves a person, she would willingly give it all even if it hurts so much. She needed the affection and affirmation that someone needs her or somehow, she's important.
Longing
The foundation of the relationship/s were built in lust instead of love. Desire, longing and hunger were stronger than friendship. Along the way, she felt alone and question if God gave up on her. She had loved the wrong persons, got attached to unavailable men but she realized that the pain was too unbearable.
Chaos
Everything that had happened to her was in constant repeat. She finally saw how messed up love could be. That being able to wake up from the pain of loving someone was not that easy. And how finally moving on was a lot scary than being used to the heartbreaks it caused her.
Epiphany
She got tired of denying that all she needed all along was self-love and that she needs to know her worth more than anyone or anything. Until she builds her own walls, so high that no one would break in that easily. But redemption was not too late for her to forgive herself because she isn’t broken beyond repair.
lesson learned
i was willing
to learn our pieces
to make us whole.
i grasped
and strangled
every hope
and endured the
asphyxiation of love.
i’ve learned
to breathe
without you.
exit my wounds
so i can heal.
The Chaos of Longing is raw, unfiltered with sharp emotions that will cut you through the bones.
This collection of poems don't just tell a story but will take you to a journey that was equally intimate and personal to the author. The poems were powerfully written that every word felt like I was invading her own private space. She let her readers know her more, rip her open and be a part of her road trip to self-love.
I love that she included trigger warnings on the first page of her collection before readers dive in and she made sure what they would expect out of them. I love how single words like truth, remedy and renewal gave so much impact like I have never appreciated them before. K.Y. Robinson's poems were unabashed yet empowering.
Wrapping up her book with an ultimate positivity and resolution was like giving a fictional story a happy ending. I really recommend this book who would love to read something out of their comfort zone. This would be your next cup of tea.
***Thank you NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and K.Y. Robinson for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
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October 31, 2017
There are several prose or poems in this book that I can quite relate to. One of them is entitled stigma & shame. The first half of this poem is what I currently feel at the moment and this is an excerpt from the said poem:
i carry all my hurt
like satchels.
i can only unpack
them on pages.
despair climbed
out of my throat
when i wasn't looking
and fell on my lap.
i wanted to jump
from my bones
and disperse
in the wind
like dandelion
seed heads.
to be free
and light as air.
Other poems that I like are poetry, dear future lover, beautiful stranger, and metamorphic. If you want to devour a collection of poems, then you must read this book because it presents several exquisite poems that will ease your appetite.
i carry all my hurt
like satchels.
i can only unpack
them on pages.
despair climbed
out of my throat
when i wasn't looking
and fell on my lap.
i wanted to jump
from my bones
and disperse
in the wind
like dandelion
seed heads.
to be free
and light as air.
Other poems that I like are poetry, dear future lover, beautiful stranger, and metamorphic. If you want to devour a collection of poems, then you must read this book because it presents several exquisite poems that will ease your appetite.
July 3, 2017
I stumbled into this title due to one of the poetry recommendations on YouTube and decided to give it a shot. I like the poems. The eroticism was spot on which makes it sensual. It talks about the effects of longing. When it gets too much, sometimes we get desperate to the point we're indecisive. The theme in this book is complex : there's lust, unrequited love, self-love. I wish th lustful ones were toned down though.
The poem that stood out for me:
truth
when you find
your voice,
keep it.
hold it close like
your very first
teddy bear.
swell with pride
with each letter
pressed against pages
that broke
the levees
in your throat.
don't shrink
your truth
to make it fit
nice and neatly
in others
as if it's origami.
unfold and free yourself.
The poem that stood out for me:
truth
when you find
your voice,
keep it.
hold it close like
your very first
teddy bear.
swell with pride
with each letter
pressed against pages
that broke
the levees
in your throat.
don't shrink
your truth
to make it fit
nice and neatly
in others
as if it's origami.
unfold and free yourself.
March 6, 2017
You can find my full review here with some of my favorite poems
You can’t hear me but I’m screaming because YOU ALL NEED TO PURCHASE THIS COLLECTION OF POEMS!!! So so so good!! So freaking amazing and inspiring and just reading her poetry and knowing what she has been through, the way she writes is fantastic.
K.Y. Robinson has divided her poems into sections titled Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany. And it’s told almost like a story where she talks about her trauma as a child, how loving another was effected because of that trauma. She also talks about heartbreak, toxicity, healing, and self love.
The author takes us through her growing experience with these poems. I literally cried with some of these and after reading her first two poems, I was sucked in and knew I was going to relate in such a deep way. After reading the poems, I saw how closely related it is to my own poetry book.
I felt relieved in a way to know that my experiences weren’t just my own and that someone else had related to them in her own way.
K.Y. Robinson is a WoC (women of color) and she even mentions her roots in some of the poems which was so raw and excuse me but so fucking beautiful. It was empowering and I feel like we need more of that in the book community, in poetry, in all aspects of life. Women speaking of their roots. She talks about herself unapologetically and I applaud her for that.
Yes, some of these poems are sad and full of so much deep emotion. However, there’s a message and there’s positivity in the end.
You can’t hear me but I’m screaming because YOU ALL NEED TO PURCHASE THIS COLLECTION OF POEMS!!! So so so good!! So freaking amazing and inspiring and just reading her poetry and knowing what she has been through, the way she writes is fantastic.
K.Y. Robinson has divided her poems into sections titled Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany. And it’s told almost like a story where she talks about her trauma as a child, how loving another was effected because of that trauma. She also talks about heartbreak, toxicity, healing, and self love.
The author takes us through her growing experience with these poems. I literally cried with some of these and after reading her first two poems, I was sucked in and knew I was going to relate in such a deep way. After reading the poems, I saw how closely related it is to my own poetry book.
I felt relieved in a way to know that my experiences weren’t just my own and that someone else had related to them in her own way.
K.Y. Robinson is a WoC (women of color) and she even mentions her roots in some of the poems which was so raw and excuse me but so fucking beautiful. It was empowering and I feel like we need more of that in the book community, in poetry, in all aspects of life. Women speaking of their roots. She talks about herself unapologetically and I applaud her for that.
Yes, some of these poems are sad and full of so much deep emotion. However, there’s a message and there’s positivity in the end.
September 22, 2017
I didn't really enjoy this collection. There was only a select amount of poems that I did think we're beautiful and well written but not many. This collection deals with sexual assault and rape, but than in a few pages it talks about another guy that she's obsessed with...? at least I hope it was a different guy. She just went from a very serious and important topic to a new relationship, that to me seemed very unhealthy. She calls him "God' is overall obsessive about how bad she needs him. In my opinion, this collection was a mess. Some poems were pretty good but as a whole I wasn't impressed.
November 1, 2017
I liked this exactly as much as I expected to. Although there were some points where I found this collection somewhat repetitive there were plenty of times were I found it powerful and surprisingly relatable. As with a lot of modern poetry, the strength of these poems was in their simplicity. A few words can pack a big punch.
Not everyone who enjoyed books of poetry like Milk & Honey will enjoy this one as much because it does have a bit more of a sexual theme at times but I actually quite enjoyed that aspect. I also think the final section was inspiring and uplifting because it was all about self-love and acceptance.
Not everyone who enjoyed books of poetry like Milk & Honey will enjoy this one as much because it does have a bit more of a sexual theme at times but I actually quite enjoyed that aspect. I also think the final section was inspiring and uplifting because it was all about self-love and acceptance.
May 16, 2018
For me, this collection was definitely a case of mostly ‘likes’ with a few loves. There are a number of poems included in this that I will without a doubt be hiding away and keeping close to me but the majority of them I didn’t personally connect with too much. With that being said, that is very much just a personal reaction in terms to my emotional connection with the poems and my own discovery of taste and preference when it comes to poetry (of which I still haven’t totally found my stance yet). So there’s no doubt that many of these poems are wonderfully written and full of raw emotion, that I’m sure many will be able to connect and relate to more so than I did.
TW: sexual assault, rape, race, mental illness
TW: sexual assault, rape, race, mental illness
February 4, 2017
"elements ii;
there’s a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon—
not a natural disaster."
there’s a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon—
not a natural disaster."
July 2, 2017
nothing special!
July 15, 2017
A copy was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I got to read the new and expanded version of this poetry collection so my opinion may be a bit biased. Even though I'm a huge fan of novels and long series, sometimes you just want to dive into your feelings and read something that won't work up your fictional motors. Poetry is cathartic for me and for many others and today felt like a good day to read this.
To start off, I thought this collection was and is breathtakingly beautiful. I love that the first page includes trigger warnings for readers. Its such a simple yet thoughtful statement that let's us know this author cares a lot about her reader's mental health. I'm glad they were included because the book starts off strong from the get go. There's no slow going or dragging of feet; everything is sharp and scathing since the beginning.
I loved how it was divided, so it felt like a journey and a story all at once. You can tell its a very personal story the poetess is telling and you feel a bit ashamed at glimpsing these intimate pats of her but that's what poetry is all about.
My favorite part was definitively euphoria. Nothing like a triumphant and hopeful ending to heal your soul after pages and pages of heartbreak. This collection empowering, its raw and its unapologetic. Just like I love my poetry. I can see myself hanging some of these poems on my walls just so I can remind myself how important I am and how I should never dally with my self-care. I can't wait to see what's next for this amazing writer.
I got to read the new and expanded version of this poetry collection so my opinion may be a bit biased. Even though I'm a huge fan of novels and long series, sometimes you just want to dive into your feelings and read something that won't work up your fictional motors. Poetry is cathartic for me and for many others and today felt like a good day to read this.
To start off, I thought this collection was and is breathtakingly beautiful. I love that the first page includes trigger warnings for readers. Its such a simple yet thoughtful statement that let's us know this author cares a lot about her reader's mental health. I'm glad they were included because the book starts off strong from the get go. There's no slow going or dragging of feet; everything is sharp and scathing since the beginning.
I loved how it was divided, so it felt like a journey and a story all at once. You can tell its a very personal story the poetess is telling and you feel a bit ashamed at glimpsing these intimate pats of her but that's what poetry is all about.
My favorite part was definitively euphoria. Nothing like a triumphant and hopeful ending to heal your soul after pages and pages of heartbreak. This collection empowering, its raw and its unapologetic. Just like I love my poetry. I can see myself hanging some of these poems on my walls just so I can remind myself how important I am and how I should never dally with my self-care. I can't wait to see what's next for this amazing writer.
September 28, 2017
An ARC was provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
K.Y. Robinson’s The Chaos of Longing is a collection of poems on love, lust, heartache, blindness, brokenness, and healing. It’s a bottomless ocean of life and its lessons, a flower blooming in a field of thorns.
This book is undeniably precious. K.Y. Robinson’s earnest writing peeled back layers I’ve covered myself and exposed wounds that I never knew I’ve concealed somewhere inside me. It’s a book that understands and listens. I read it as if I was looking into a mirror.
Reading this got so much better every time I flipped to another page. Each poem had its own intense message that pierced my heart and healed it simultaneously.
I highly recommend this to everyone, for I know we’ve all been hurt and have healed. This is our story.
“i never felt
more alive
and dead
at the same time”
K.Y. Robinson’s The Chaos of Longing is a collection of poems on love, lust, heartache, blindness, brokenness, and healing. It’s a bottomless ocean of life and its lessons, a flower blooming in a field of thorns.
This book is undeniably precious. K.Y. Robinson’s earnest writing peeled back layers I’ve covered myself and exposed wounds that I never knew I’ve concealed somewhere inside me. It’s a book that understands and listens. I read it as if I was looking into a mirror.
Reading this got so much better every time I flipped to another page. Each poem had its own intense message that pierced my heart and healed it simultaneously.
I highly recommend this to everyone, for I know we’ve all been hurt and have healed. This is our story.
August 14, 2017
Thank you so much to Andrew McMeel publishing via netgalley for sending me an ARc copy of the chaos of longing by k.y. Robinson. The chaos of longing Will be released on September 26, 2017
She delt with strong and emotional topics that made me think and reflect on my own life.
I always enjoy certain poems more than others but personally i really enjoyed the majority of the poems.
Her writing style was beautiful and descriptive and i highly recommend this collection.
She delt with strong and emotional topics that made me think and reflect on my own life.
I always enjoy certain poems more than others but personally i really enjoyed the majority of the poems.
Her writing style was beautiful and descriptive and i highly recommend this collection.
August 12, 2024
“it took time to realize that i have to stop giving myself away as if i didn’t belong to myself.”
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April 9, 2018
i don't know why do i do this to myself.
these novelty poetry seems a bit too much to me, it's pathetic fallacy, focusing on one aspect so damn much.
i should fine myself for everytime i read sth that makes me feel like i wasted my life...
these novelty poetry seems a bit too much to me, it's pathetic fallacy, focusing on one aspect so damn much.
i should fine myself for everytime i read sth that makes me feel like i wasted my life...
December 7, 2018
3’5 maybe? The first part started in a quite brutal way? Definitely didn’t expected that and I had some struggles with it till the half-end of it, but definitely the last part saved it.
December 6, 2017
Recently I have been reading a lot of poetry books. Although these books are relatively shorter than fiction books, they usually take a longer time to read. When someone puts their thoughts into a poem, it takes time to decipher the meaning behind.
The Cover
It is very simple, with a few floral outlines and a light pink background. So aesthetic! I fell in love with it immediately.
The Book
This is a beautiful poetry book. The poems in it are mostly about love, and they are full of emotion. My heart was deeply touched. Here are a few of my favorites:
hypocrite
i said i would leave you alone
and pack what's left
of my heart
and move on.
i said i would
let you be
but conjure
you up
in my dreams.
but on these pages,
you'll always breathe
even though
unrequited love
is suffocating me.
elements ii
there's a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon -
not a natural disaster.
The Cover
It is very simple, with a few floral outlines and a light pink background. So aesthetic! I fell in love with it immediately.
The Book
This is a beautiful poetry book. The poems in it are mostly about love, and they are full of emotion. My heart was deeply touched. Here are a few of my favorites:
hypocrite
i said i would leave you alone
and pack what's left
of my heart
and move on.
i said i would
let you be
but conjure
you up
in my dreams.
but on these pages,
you'll always breathe
even though
unrequited love
is suffocating me.
elements ii
there's a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon -
not a natural disaster.
November 1, 2019
Whenever I try to read a poetry book, I’m like I hope I can fall in love with this! and then I don’t. I push myself to finish these books, since they’re usually quite short, but I’m sure I won’t be able to remember anything of it.
It talks about rape, abuse, unhealthy relationships, but also about feminism (or I think the author tried to), and self-love. If I’m honest, I only liked 3 or 4 poems, and the other ones I felt like they were just words out there.
Perhaps this is one of those cases where the problem is me, since I’ve read online poems and I like them, but I don’t fall in love with them. This is a genre I don’t reach out to quite often, and it doesn’t have to do anything with the author. Maybe I don’t know how to appreciate poems or their composition. Still, I appreciate the fact that she poured herself into this book and that she was brave enough to show it to the world. We need more people that talk about ‘difficult topics’.
Anyway, it was a fast reading for me but my main problem was that I was expecting to feel too much, and end up feeling numb.
It talks about rape, abuse, unhealthy relationships, but also about feminism (or I think the author tried to), and self-love. If I’m honest, I only liked 3 or 4 poems, and the other ones I felt like they were just words out there.
Perhaps this is one of those cases where the problem is me, since I’ve read online poems and I like them, but I don’t fall in love with them. This is a genre I don’t reach out to quite often, and it doesn’t have to do anything with the author. Maybe I don’t know how to appreciate poems or their composition. Still, I appreciate the fact that she poured herself into this book and that she was brave enough to show it to the world. We need more people that talk about ‘difficult topics’.
Anyway, it was a fast reading for me but my main problem was that I was expecting to feel too much, and end up feeling numb.
March 16, 2017
there is a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water
you are a natural
phenomenon-
not a natural disaster
this collection is full of so many beautiful poems. there's so many important themes discussed. i wasn't sure whether to go with 4 or 5 stars, but decided on 5 because of the poem i quoted and because i have a bunch of annotations saved in my kindle.
this collection is free on kindle for the next few days and i HIGHLY encourage you go grab a copy.
trigger warnings: sexual abuse (and there's lots of poems that are about sex, it is all consensual and more about sex positivity which is so good!!!!, but i know some ppl get uncomfortable about it so just a heads up!!)
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire
and water
you are a natural
phenomenon-
not a natural disaster
this collection is full of so many beautiful poems. there's so many important themes discussed. i wasn't sure whether to go with 4 or 5 stars, but decided on 5 because of the poem i quoted and because i have a bunch of annotations saved in my kindle.
this collection is free on kindle for the next few days and i HIGHLY encourage you go grab a copy.
trigger warnings: sexual abuse (and there's lots of poems that are about sex, it is all consensual and more about sex positivity which is so good!!!!, but i know some ppl get uncomfortable about it so just a heads up!!)
January 8, 2022
I have to admit when I read the self published edition it was a while ago and I didn't connect with it the way I wanted, this time I connected to this book. I highlighted so many poems in this book. 'epiphany' is still my favorite part. I read this amazing book while watching Rhyon Nicole Brown's 'Pretty Girl', they actually fit very well together in my opinion... if you can watch something, listen to something, and read something all at once I recommend watching Pretty Girl (it's a short film and music videos) and reading 'The Chaos of Longing'
March 3, 2018
Review to come
August 22, 2021
Disclaimer: Received a free digital copy of the book through Netgalley.
I liked the poems but that was it. I really loved some but overall, I just liked this collection. The eroticism and sensual poems were spot on and didn't make me feel uncomfortable which I wasn't expecting since this was my first time reading poems like those.
The themes were complex and intriguing; mental health, lust, unrequited love, self-love, family issues and loads more. The variety of the poems definitely made me continue the book. I loved the theme of changing chaos into order the most, it was weirdly satisfying to read those poems and they did manage to effectively promote a positive vibe as a whole. "Robinson draws from personal experience as a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic." - written in the little author blurb, the perfect description of what drove the whole collection and every single poem. Although, I respect the fact that the author stayed true to herself and incorporated her experiences in the poetry, at times, this collection felt like a repetitive concoction of poems with very similar themes even though falling in different portions of the book. My least favourite portion was "longing", it is what made me read this book in two different sittings rather than one.
Favourite poems:
Inception: Deferred, Stigma and Shame, Open season, Women like me.
Longing: Arithmetic, Tone Deaf.
Chaos: Post-vacation blues, Unrequited love, Hypothetical, Caution, Germination.
Epiphany: Panhandler, When they stop calling, Refugee, Search Party, Truth, Self-love ii.
Overall, this collection wasn't that bad and gave me a new reading experience but at the same time it definitely wasn't something that blew my mind.
I liked the poems but that was it. I really loved some but overall, I just liked this collection. The eroticism and sensual poems were spot on and didn't make me feel uncomfortable which I wasn't expecting since this was my first time reading poems like those.
The themes were complex and intriguing; mental health, lust, unrequited love, self-love, family issues and loads more. The variety of the poems definitely made me continue the book. I loved the theme of changing chaos into order the most, it was weirdly satisfying to read those poems and they did manage to effectively promote a positive vibe as a whole. "Robinson draws from personal experience as a woman of color, trauma and mental illness survivor, and hopeless romantic." - written in the little author blurb, the perfect description of what drove the whole collection and every single poem. Although, I respect the fact that the author stayed true to herself and incorporated her experiences in the poetry, at times, this collection felt like a repetitive concoction of poems with very similar themes even though falling in different portions of the book. My least favourite portion was "longing", it is what made me read this book in two different sittings rather than one.
Favourite poems:
Inception: Deferred, Stigma and Shame, Open season, Women like me.
Longing: Arithmetic, Tone Deaf.
Chaos: Post-vacation blues, Unrequited love, Hypothetical, Caution, Germination.
Epiphany: Panhandler, When they stop calling, Refugee, Search Party, Truth, Self-love ii.
Overall, this collection wasn't that bad and gave me a new reading experience but at the same time it definitely wasn't something that blew my mind.
September 7, 2017
I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/5 stars... and I reserve the right to change my rating in the future because I'm still not quite sure where I've landed with this one (this is one of those times I dislike the 5-star rating system).
I had very high expectations for this book, and maybe that is the crux of the problem of why I didn't end up enjoying it very much. I went into this poetry collection having just read 2 of Meggie Royer's books of poetry, which was also probably another reason why I didn't like this one as much as I "should have" ...because Meggie Royer is now one of my all-time favorite poets.
Basically (and I hate to say this) I didn't see anything special with this book. It didn't make me feel very strongly, the words weren't put together in that oh-so perfect and gut-wrenching way I love in my opinion, and I felt like I had read all of these poems before. I think I'm just tired of the broken and short style of poetry. That style loses it's punch after a while, and just ends up seeming undetailed, lazy, and stoic.
If you're looking for contemporary poetry that will leave you emotional, I would recommend "The No You Never Listened To" or "Milk & Honey." As I find more I will definitely recommend them in a blog post or video. But for now I will just say that unfortunately I was not impressed with this one.
2.5/5 stars... and I reserve the right to change my rating in the future because I'm still not quite sure where I've landed with this one (this is one of those times I dislike the 5-star rating system).
I had very high expectations for this book, and maybe that is the crux of the problem of why I didn't end up enjoying it very much. I went into this poetry collection having just read 2 of Meggie Royer's books of poetry, which was also probably another reason why I didn't like this one as much as I "should have" ...because Meggie Royer is now one of my all-time favorite poets.
Basically (and I hate to say this) I didn't see anything special with this book. It didn't make me feel very strongly, the words weren't put together in that oh-so perfect and gut-wrenching way I love in my opinion, and I felt like I had read all of these poems before. I think I'm just tired of the broken and short style of poetry. That style loses it's punch after a while, and just ends up seeming undetailed, lazy, and stoic.
If you're looking for contemporary poetry that will leave you emotional, I would recommend "The No You Never Listened To" or "Milk & Honey." As I find more I will definitely recommend them in a blog post or video. But for now I will just say that unfortunately I was not impressed with this one.
September 8, 2017
4.5 Chaotic Stars
Big thanks to Andrews McMeel publishing via NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson.
Elements ii
there's a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire,
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon -
not a natural disaster.
The Chaos of Longing is a beautiful collection of poetry which touches on topics which many women might find themselves relating to. Topics dealing with tough issues such as abuse, insecurities, trauma, and justice. The book is split into 4 parts and the last part was my favorite as it encouraged women to recognize their self-worth and fill their hearts with self-love. I am definitely looking forward to future poetry collections from K.Y. Robinson.
Some of my favourite poems were: 13 and 14 (touches upon women who have been used by men and taken advantage of), magic (insecurities), you'll get used to me, until you (it is beautiful), longing, three's a crowd, gentrified, repeat after me, tornado, (and last but not least) elements ii.
Also, I just want to mention quickly how beautiful the cover is.
Big thanks to Andrews McMeel publishing via NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson.
Elements ii
there's a universe
swirling inside you.
you have to learn to be
your own earth,
wind, fire,
and water.
you are a natural
phenomenon -
not a natural disaster.
The Chaos of Longing is a beautiful collection of poetry which touches on topics which many women might find themselves relating to. Topics dealing with tough issues such as abuse, insecurities, trauma, and justice. The book is split into 4 parts and the last part was my favorite as it encouraged women to recognize their self-worth and fill their hearts with self-love. I am definitely looking forward to future poetry collections from K.Y. Robinson.
Some of my favourite poems were: 13 and 14 (touches upon women who have been used by men and taken advantage of), magic (insecurities), you'll get used to me, until you (it is beautiful), longing, three's a crowd, gentrified, repeat after me, tornado, (and last but not least) elements ii.
Also, I just want to mention quickly how beautiful the cover is.
March 16, 2018
Nothing special at all. But there are a few gems in here, which really hit the feels.
December 27, 2020
"Once a heart learns
how to break
it does not know
how to forget"
me gustaron mucho la mayoría de los poemas que me encontré
how to break
it does not know
how to forget"
me gustaron mucho la mayoría de los poemas que me encontré
March 20, 2017
This is an amazing collection of poetry filled with a plethora of emotion written in an absolutely perfect way... The poems made my heart hurt, made me yearn, made me love and recovered all of the pain that they brought to the surface - they're modelled in such a way that you travel through the pain first, you reflect a little, and then the rest of it you're building yourself back up as you read the rest - it's a beautiful emotional journey that I can't wait to travel through once more! I loved how these poems were about learning to love yourself, learning to be one with yourself and not putting yourself and your happiness in the hands of a person who doesn't deserve you. It's all about a journey of loss, finding yourself, learning to love yourself and then worshipping yourself. It's a beautiful progression through life and Robinson took us on the journey beautifully; a journey that will stick with me for forever and beyond. These poems are absolutely beautifully written and crafted and some of them even took my breath away. I really, thoroughly enjoyed this collection and I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
May 17, 2017
At some point I had to force myself to finish this book because I read a handful of amazing poems dispersed here and there, and thought maybe I'll find some more. If that's how you're reading a book (rummaging through it to find great pieces amongst the repetitive mediocre ones) then you can't really call it a great piece of work; which was disappointing because I had high hopes for this book given the synopsis and the author's background... but oh well.
January 6, 2017
5 stars. the author is raw and brutal in her words. but that is what makes her poetry so real. she is a woman of color and the way she used her lineage to make these poems was breathtaking. women of all shades need to read this. it teaches you not to let any man rule you. love yourself and build yourself up.
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