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Composition of a Woman
Christine Ray's debut poetry collection 'Composition of a Woman' is an extraordinary glimpse into the essence of what it takes to make, and sometimes simultaneously break, a woman as strikingly powerful as she is beautiful. Split into five sections (Nerve, Brain, Breast, Rib, and Blood), Ray writes about chronic illness, depression, love, loss, and identity. Cover by Mitch Green.
- GenresPoetry
132 pages, Paperback
Published July 26, 2018
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817 people want to read
About the author
Christine E. Ray
12 books30 followersChristine E. Ray lives outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A former Managing Editor of Sudden Denouement Publications, she co-founded Indie Blu(e) Publishing with Kindra M. Austin in September 2018. Ray is author of Composition of a Woman and The Myths of Girlhood. Her writing has also been featured in As The World Burns: Writers and Artists Reflect on a World Gone Mad, SMITTEN This Is What Love Looks Like, We Will Not Be Silenced : The Lived Experience of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Told Powerfully Through Poetry, Prose, Essay, and Art, Anthology Volume I: Writings from the Sudden Denouement Literary Collective, Swear to Me (Nicholas Gagnier), and All the Lonely People (Nicholas Gagnier).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 4, 2018
Christine Ray’s debut collection ‘Composition of a Woman’ is an extraordinary glimpse into the essence of what it takes to make, and sometimes simultaneously break, a woman as strikingly powerful as she is beautiful.
Christine Ray brilliantly split ‘Composition’ into five thoughtful sections that work together beautifully to deliver the maximum impact of each poem while taking the reader deeper into a stunning journey of the mind, the body, the very soul of this person. In Composition, Christine Ray reveals so much of what we try to hide, and she does so while dancing between ruthlessly beautiful and heartbreakingly painful.
While Ray’s work is often merciless in its unapologetic, in-your-face delivery
the mean girls smelled
like cruelty mixed with uncertainty
disdain peppered with insecurity
ravenous hunger and envy
(What Little Girls Are Made Of)
it is never short of exquisite
she brings black roses
and moonlight
fireflies like stars in her sky
bare feet caress the dewy ground
night blooming jasmine
reaching up to brush her opal skin
(Black Roses and Moonlight)
nor is it ever lacking in white-hot power
I will travel the ancient ways
clothed only in my dark tresses
my alabaster skin
don a crown of rose and poppy
their scent filling the air
I will take back this night
shape its darkness with my hands
make it blaze with stars and moonlight
create a road for my daughters and sisters
to follow home
(Lilith)
Christine Ray holds nothing back when she writes about the pain of depression and a failing body. She is raw and unashamed when she speaks to sexuality and the way society still reeks of misogyny and the absence of humanity. But at her very best she is empowering, speaking to the brave and reckless women who she lovingly refers to as sisters.
‘Composition’ is a beautiful book that takes the time to acknowledge that while some of the weight we carry through life may not be ours to carry, sometimes carrying it is just as important as knowing when to let it all go.
Christine Ray brilliantly split ‘Composition’ into five thoughtful sections that work together beautifully to deliver the maximum impact of each poem while taking the reader deeper into a stunning journey of the mind, the body, the very soul of this person. In Composition, Christine Ray reveals so much of what we try to hide, and she does so while dancing between ruthlessly beautiful and heartbreakingly painful.
While Ray’s work is often merciless in its unapologetic, in-your-face delivery
the mean girls smelled
like cruelty mixed with uncertainty
disdain peppered with insecurity
ravenous hunger and envy
(What Little Girls Are Made Of)
it is never short of exquisite
she brings black roses
and moonlight
fireflies like stars in her sky
bare feet caress the dewy ground
night blooming jasmine
reaching up to brush her opal skin
(Black Roses and Moonlight)
nor is it ever lacking in white-hot power
I will travel the ancient ways
clothed only in my dark tresses
my alabaster skin
don a crown of rose and poppy
their scent filling the air
I will take back this night
shape its darkness with my hands
make it blaze with stars and moonlight
create a road for my daughters and sisters
to follow home
(Lilith)
Christine Ray holds nothing back when she writes about the pain of depression and a failing body. She is raw and unashamed when she speaks to sexuality and the way society still reeks of misogyny and the absence of humanity. But at her very best she is empowering, speaking to the brave and reckless women who she lovingly refers to as sisters.
‘Composition’ is a beautiful book that takes the time to acknowledge that while some of the weight we carry through life may not be ours to carry, sometimes carrying it is just as important as knowing when to let it all go.
August 8, 2018
Since beginning Brave and Reckless in 2016, becoming a member of several collectives, a founder member of Indie Blu(e) and establishing herself as an editor, Christine E. Ray's presence on Wordpress and online has been keenly felt. It comes as a surprise then that Composition of a Woman is her debut poetry release. However, every single page proves it was worth the wait.
Ray's patience, passion and growth are revealed the further she pulls you into this book. Her approach to a structure which resembles her anatomy is ingenious and comes to reflect the woman, writer, editor and powerhouse she is.
Nerve is a hilarious and moving ode, if you will, to invisible illness. For me, it meant this book was personal too. I've watched my own mother struggle with a spinal condition which isn't obvious to a stranger. Therefore, my first thought when I heard Ray's experience with pain and mis-diagnosis was 'I need to give this book to Mum', so she knows she isn't alone.
Brain, no doubt deliberately, made me think. Safekeeping felt all too familiar and the final lines of Brilliant Madness made me consider the peril of an artist and their pain. Often art and pain feel mutually exclusive. At times we wonder where we begin and end.
'jagged little pharma sitting on the kitchen table that may save my life but steal this brilliant madness'
Ray continues to speak to the soul in Breast, with absolutely beautiful pieces like The Attic Room, Amen and Saturday Afternoon Poetry. From hilarity and darkness, we are given sensual and love sick. We begin to understand the myriad of experiences which shape a woman.
One of those experiences is heartache and heartbreak as Ray shares the pain behind her Rib. Chasing Sandcastles, Memento and the forlorn sigh inducing I Say That I Lost You.
'I say that I lost you as though you were an umbrella that I carelessly left on the bus after the summer rain had stopped.'
Ray does what every excellent poet must. She writes from experience and yet writes your story as well. That said, it is the closing section of this book which left me breathless. Blood is a testament to all that has gone before. Each body part and experience led to this denouement; this showcase of a woman. I know her now - her pain, suffering, love and loss - which is why Wonder Woman is filled with clarity. Ray is a woman conducting an orchestra while openly admitting she isn't perfect. There is dazzling beauty in her ability to lift your spirit and reach beyond the book, calling for your blood and belly fire.
Needless to say, I read this in one sitting and finished it smiling. The final two poems resonate with every writer and reveal how much this book means to Ray; how it truly was, worth the wait.
Ray's patience, passion and growth are revealed the further she pulls you into this book. Her approach to a structure which resembles her anatomy is ingenious and comes to reflect the woman, writer, editor and powerhouse she is.
Nerve is a hilarious and moving ode, if you will, to invisible illness. For me, it meant this book was personal too. I've watched my own mother struggle with a spinal condition which isn't obvious to a stranger. Therefore, my first thought when I heard Ray's experience with pain and mis-diagnosis was 'I need to give this book to Mum', so she knows she isn't alone.
Brain, no doubt deliberately, made me think. Safekeeping felt all too familiar and the final lines of Brilliant Madness made me consider the peril of an artist and their pain. Often art and pain feel mutually exclusive. At times we wonder where we begin and end.
'jagged little pharma sitting on the kitchen table that may save my life but steal this brilliant madness'
Ray continues to speak to the soul in Breast, with absolutely beautiful pieces like The Attic Room, Amen and Saturday Afternoon Poetry. From hilarity and darkness, we are given sensual and love sick. We begin to understand the myriad of experiences which shape a woman.
One of those experiences is heartache and heartbreak as Ray shares the pain behind her Rib. Chasing Sandcastles, Memento and the forlorn sigh inducing I Say That I Lost You.
'I say that I lost you as though you were an umbrella that I carelessly left on the bus after the summer rain had stopped.'
Ray does what every excellent poet must. She writes from experience and yet writes your story as well. That said, it is the closing section of this book which left me breathless. Blood is a testament to all that has gone before. Each body part and experience led to this denouement; this showcase of a woman. I know her now - her pain, suffering, love and loss - which is why Wonder Woman is filled with clarity. Ray is a woman conducting an orchestra while openly admitting she isn't perfect. There is dazzling beauty in her ability to lift your spirit and reach beyond the book, calling for your blood and belly fire.
Needless to say, I read this in one sitting and finished it smiling. The final two poems resonate with every writer and reveal how much this book means to Ray; how it truly was, worth the wait.
August 4, 2018
‘Composition Of a Woman’ by Christine E. Ray is a truly stunning read. Right from the beginning, I was captivated by the way Ray strings her words together, each poem a smooth caress into the next.
I found her poetry striking, a favourite excerpt from ‘Wish for Wings’ being “how can mere bone bear this additional weight of a thousand feathers without folding to the ground?” Ray writes with a raw vulnerability and in equal measure an undeniable strength that inspires me to my core. This beautiful book complements the human form and we are taken on a journey of discovery which highlights the complex nature of both femininity and how women are viewed within society today.
In this debut book of poetry, Ray’s talent shines out from every page, her ability to deeply connect with the reader is especially clear in ‘A Suitable Period Of Mourning’ where she writes “I have never inked the names of my dead on my tender forearms in solemn homage the list too long to box with god” a piece that deeply touched me and that I could strongly relate to.
As she walks us through the feminine form, all emotions and physical experiences can be felt through the pages, each piece touching a cord within me.
I found her poetry striking, a favourite excerpt from ‘Wish for Wings’ being “how can mere bone bear this additional weight of a thousand feathers without folding to the ground?” Ray writes with a raw vulnerability and in equal measure an undeniable strength that inspires me to my core. This beautiful book complements the human form and we are taken on a journey of discovery which highlights the complex nature of both femininity and how women are viewed within society today.
In this debut book of poetry, Ray’s talent shines out from every page, her ability to deeply connect with the reader is especially clear in ‘A Suitable Period Of Mourning’ where she writes “I have never inked the names of my dead on my tender forearms in solemn homage the list too long to box with god” a piece that deeply touched me and that I could strongly relate to.
As she walks us through the feminine form, all emotions and physical experiences can be felt through the pages, each piece touching a cord within me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2018
Christine Ray's poetry is the kind that leaves you quaking. Her passion and honesty are both palpable; I feel the roaring of her heart vibrating the walls of my veins. Christine's debut is awesome in the truest sense.
August 22, 2018
Poet Christine Ray’s first printed collection of poetry, Composition of a Woman (Sudden Denouement Press, 2018) is a striking, fearless foray into the psyche of womanhood, both highly relatable and intensely personal for female readers and achingly candid and fascinating for male.
Ray has already struck her mark as a writer of substance with her blog, Brave & Reckless and her involvement in the literary collective Sudden Denouement, but the bringing together of a cherished portion of her work on the subject of the feminine experience, is a special treat, enabling us to appreciate her breadth of understanding and the humor and tragedy behind the female.
From the very first poem, in her trademark fashion, Ray describes modern womanhood thus; “there is an unknown thief/black-clad/masked vigilante/stealing into my nights” (The Body Politic). In many ways this is a canvas upon which she has illustrated pockets of life in such ways “I am afraid/of disintegration” “I am routinely pricked with pins” (Vibrational Sensory Loss) most of us have felt this way in today’s world because of chronic illness and/or stress or loss of identity and voicing those emotions is both necessary and difficult, something Ray excels at.
Additionally this is the language of love gained and lost, thwarted and found, destroyed and remembered in a fantastical landscape. “symmetrical patterns/ captured briefly in the mirror/ before the spin of the wheel/ pulled us apart / leaving our jewel tone edges / aching from separation.” (Kaleidoscope) In this, the book has a lovely balance between literal and metaphysical suffering as well as being a testimony of a woman’s walk through life, and her ability to survive the un-survivable.
Ray’s distinctiveness comes from her inability to turn away from truth, her proffered confessional, and the blunt, often beautifully crafted mélange of accents, emotions and voices that spill from her depths. “I have been waking / in one of two states / words pulling at me/ rousing me/ demanding.” (Brilliant Madness) . Her voice is one many of us have heard at night, and been pulled toward, before holding onto a fragment come morning, she is at once, impossible to quantify and disarmingly real, her charm is in the rendering of a universal experience of life. “there is a point / where the pain starts / radiates out/ in a geometric/ arc / compresses / folds / reconfigures me / like an open fan.” (Accordion Folds).
The purpose of poetry is surely to form impressions of emotions hard to give words to. The poet is a painter of lives, the reader finds themselves in those shades and it is that recognized quill and truism that draws us to the poetic form, so immediate and unadulterated beyond the confines of prose. “how many empty shapes/ have been etched on my soul / like shadow / like negatives of photographs / from those who have been torn away.” (Loss is an Ocean). Therefore when a poet can become the photo album for a life time or a gender, they have successfully translated our unsaid experience, which is what Composition of a Woman does uncannily well. “I arise something new / wipe the blood from my mouth / spread fledgling wings / and with the lift of the north wind / I claim the night sky / mine.” (Raven).
Christine Ray is woman poet of today’s arrhythmic heartbeat, her transformation from within to without is best described in her poem Becoming a Poet, conveying how; “she was always struck by the juxtaposition / of her physical body / negotiating / close suburbs, …. while her heart and mind / wandered in the isolated wilderness / while errant words and wisps of dreams / and drops of feelings like rich, red blood / continued to seep out of her.” For so long, woman’s voices were repressed, by others, by themselves, by the system. Poets like Ray are the new generation, they’re not keeping quiet, they’re dragging by the neck all that hasn’t been said, all that is labeled shameful, and opening the cage doors. After all, freedom is found in truth.
Ray has already struck her mark as a writer of substance with her blog, Brave & Reckless and her involvement in the literary collective Sudden Denouement, but the bringing together of a cherished portion of her work on the subject of the feminine experience, is a special treat, enabling us to appreciate her breadth of understanding and the humor and tragedy behind the female.
From the very first poem, in her trademark fashion, Ray describes modern womanhood thus; “there is an unknown thief/black-clad/masked vigilante/stealing into my nights” (The Body Politic). In many ways this is a canvas upon which she has illustrated pockets of life in such ways “I am afraid/of disintegration” “I am routinely pricked with pins” (Vibrational Sensory Loss) most of us have felt this way in today’s world because of chronic illness and/or stress or loss of identity and voicing those emotions is both necessary and difficult, something Ray excels at.
Additionally this is the language of love gained and lost, thwarted and found, destroyed and remembered in a fantastical landscape. “symmetrical patterns/ captured briefly in the mirror/ before the spin of the wheel/ pulled us apart / leaving our jewel tone edges / aching from separation.” (Kaleidoscope) In this, the book has a lovely balance between literal and metaphysical suffering as well as being a testimony of a woman’s walk through life, and her ability to survive the un-survivable.
Ray’s distinctiveness comes from her inability to turn away from truth, her proffered confessional, and the blunt, often beautifully crafted mélange of accents, emotions and voices that spill from her depths. “I have been waking / in one of two states / words pulling at me/ rousing me/ demanding.” (Brilliant Madness) . Her voice is one many of us have heard at night, and been pulled toward, before holding onto a fragment come morning, she is at once, impossible to quantify and disarmingly real, her charm is in the rendering of a universal experience of life. “there is a point / where the pain starts / radiates out/ in a geometric/ arc / compresses / folds / reconfigures me / like an open fan.” (Accordion Folds).
The purpose of poetry is surely to form impressions of emotions hard to give words to. The poet is a painter of lives, the reader finds themselves in those shades and it is that recognized quill and truism that draws us to the poetic form, so immediate and unadulterated beyond the confines of prose. “how many empty shapes/ have been etched on my soul / like shadow / like negatives of photographs / from those who have been torn away.” (Loss is an Ocean). Therefore when a poet can become the photo album for a life time or a gender, they have successfully translated our unsaid experience, which is what Composition of a Woman does uncannily well. “I arise something new / wipe the blood from my mouth / spread fledgling wings / and with the lift of the north wind / I claim the night sky / mine.” (Raven).
Christine Ray is woman poet of today’s arrhythmic heartbeat, her transformation from within to without is best described in her poem Becoming a Poet, conveying how; “she was always struck by the juxtaposition / of her physical body / negotiating / close suburbs, …. while her heart and mind / wandered in the isolated wilderness / while errant words and wisps of dreams / and drops of feelings like rich, red blood / continued to seep out of her.” For so long, woman’s voices were repressed, by others, by themselves, by the system. Poets like Ray are the new generation, they’re not keeping quiet, they’re dragging by the neck all that hasn’t been said, all that is labeled shameful, and opening the cage doors. After all, freedom is found in truth.
August 22, 2018
I sat in bed today and read Composition of a Woman from start to finish. I literally could not let go of this book. I savored every damn poem. I tasted her tears; I felt her anguish, her grief, her triumph; I heard Christine Ray's voice ("I am done whispering." p.123), and it is a beautifully powerful one; it is a voice that will not fade away anytime soon. Ray has a brilliant ability to weave humor into her poetry, while conveying a powerhouse message. 'Wonder Woman' comes to mind. I've read that poem three times now, and each time I smile a little bit more! Ray's poetry will stick to my ribs and flow through my veins. She has charmed me with her fierce “warrior” “badass” voice and I am hooked. "I see you/yes, you poet/you who lives behind the misty veil/dwelling in the border/between this world/and a hundred other/shadow worlds..." An excerpt from her exquisite 'Poet's Love Song.' And this from 'Loss is an Ocean' -- "how many empty shapes have been etched on my soul like shadow like negatives of photographs from those who have been torn away from this world from my life by the raging tides?" If you are a poetry lover this book absolutely needs to be on your bookshelf. If you are not poetry lover, you just may become one after reading Ray's Composition of a Woman. It is certainly a book that won't be forgotten! ~Melody Lee
March 8, 2019
a lovely composition
I must admit I didn't completely understand a lot of the poems and the imagery but there's no denying this collection was beautiful. There are also trigger warnings and other things.
I must admit I didn't completely understand a lot of the poems and the imagery but there's no denying this collection was beautiful. There are also trigger warnings and other things.
September 13, 2018
Composition of a Woman is an incredibly crafted volume of poetic nuts and bolts.
Read it slow, savor each piece, and let its strength empower you.
This is a must for every poetic library.
Read it slow, savor each piece, and let its strength empower you.
This is a must for every poetic library.
September 18, 2018
A lovely collection. Christine's voice is honest, insightful, and empowering!
March 13, 2019
Christine Ray’s first solo book is packed full of powerful lines. I loved the way it allowed her to develop a personal connection with her readers. She wove her story throughout five sections perfectly named, and I found pieces of myself in every one.
In Nerve, she touches on the physical, delving into the comparison of living with and without illness. It’s almost stream of consciousness. I found myself relating to every line and admiring the way she faces adversity with courage.
In Brain, I fell in love with the moody madness and the shadows. She describes the mental and emotional toil with heartbreaking ease.
In Breast, we see desire. Love, lust, longing reaching out for company. Page 68-9 evokes exquisite imagery of wanting and hunger.
In Rib, I found myself channeling her pain. These lines reminded me of the void that occurs when we lose something. I loved the piece on page 93, the pinpricks, because it ties back to earlier pieces.
Lastly, in Blood, Christine shows us her superpower: strength. On pages 112-3, she encourages us to rise up, stand tall, be proud, that we have got this, and she has got our backs.
If you’re looking for a book that understands you, that empathizes with you, that inspires you — look no further. I look forward to reading more by this talented poet.
In Nerve, she touches on the physical, delving into the comparison of living with and without illness. It’s almost stream of consciousness. I found myself relating to every line and admiring the way she faces adversity with courage.
In Brain, I fell in love with the moody madness and the shadows. She describes the mental and emotional toil with heartbreaking ease.
In Breast, we see desire. Love, lust, longing reaching out for company. Page 68-9 evokes exquisite imagery of wanting and hunger.
In Rib, I found myself channeling her pain. These lines reminded me of the void that occurs when we lose something. I loved the piece on page 93, the pinpricks, because it ties back to earlier pieces.
Lastly, in Blood, Christine shows us her superpower: strength. On pages 112-3, she encourages us to rise up, stand tall, be proud, that we have got this, and she has got our backs.
If you’re looking for a book that understands you, that empathizes with you, that inspires you — look no further. I look forward to reading more by this talented poet.
September 4, 2025
Composition of a Woman is a literary gem that transcends the boundaries of poetry appreciation. Whether you're well-versed in the genre or just beginning to explore its depths, this collection demands a revered place on your bookshelf. Christine Ray's poems are a testament to authenticity, raw emotion, and sheer power. Each verse resonates with a palpable intensity, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. As I delved into its pages, I found myself captivated by the sheer range of emotions, from wonder to sensuality to profound depth. Choosing a favorite among these exquisite pieces feels impossible, as each one holds its own unique resonance. This is a book I'll revisit time and time again, ensuring its permanent presence in my literary rotation.
November 29, 2018
Christine Ray debut compostion of poetry is a candid and powerful glimpse into the essense of womahood. The ease and the sheer brilliance she portrays in her writing is highly commendable. The book is divided into five sections namely Nerve, Brain,Blood , Ribs and Breast. Each sections leaves you in complete awe of her magical quill as she describes her struggle with her body which is heartbreaking and empowering at the same time.I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to takes this amazing journey into the pure essence of the womanhood and its struggles.
March 29, 2024
Composition of a Woman is a literary gem that transcends the boundaries of poetry appreciation. Whether you're well-versed in the genre or just beginning to explore its depths, this collection demands a revered place on your bookshelf. Christine Ray's poems are a testament to authenticity, raw emotion, and sheer power. Each verse resonates with a palpable intensity, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. As I delved into its pages, I found myself captivated by the sheer range of emotions, from wonder to sensuality to profound depth. Choosing a favorite among these exquisite pieces feels impossible, as each one holds its own unique resonance. This is a book I'll revisit time and time again, ensuring its permanent presence in my literary rotation.
September 8, 2019
3.5 stars. a beautiful collection on what it is to be a women, and the feelings that come with it. they gave me chills and knocked the wind from my lungs. (some of them went a little over my head but i think that’s just me being unintelligent lol)
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