Daylily Called It a Dangerous Moment

by Alessandra Lynch

“With a music prowess both deft and ferocious, these empathetic poems in Daylily Called It a Dangerous Moment woe and terrify simultaneously. Terrible things happen in this book and it’s wonderful—such is the redemptive power of poetry this exquisite.” —Dean Young
This heart-wrenching book examines the tensions between the harshness of violence and the beauty of everyday life. There is a discourse with the wreckage in these poems that infiltrate life after trauma and violence as it perpetuates onward, pulling us into the speaker’s domain and the endless cycle of attempting to overcome–without forgetting–the past.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2017

Reviews

[Darrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an appropriate read for right now. With the exception of the last chapter, "In the beautiful static of Winter", this is dark, brooding poetry about sexual violence, harassment, violation....

Many of these poems are a tough read but are exactly for this moment.

Watch the news, read this book...you'll get it.

Incidentally, this was my second pull-down from the new poetry shelf at my local library.

[Kate Mildew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what rating to give this book because I really didn't love it, didn't enjoy reading it. But I'm glad that it's out there. I think it's important that so much brutal and straightforward language around sexual assault has been put into this collection. I am hopeful for the space this book opens up.

[hesione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't read if you don't want to suffocate a little.

[Jamie Gogocha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection has some beautiful poems. I enjoyed the way she played with sound and form. I loved how she used nature to tell her stories and carry her poems.

[Alice LeFae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swear it took me the whole damn year to read this book. It was so visceral.

[Carly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, what a lush experience of a book. I was fully swept into Lynch's syntax, lush phrasing, and striking balance between the veil and unveiling of experience.

[Sophia Surname · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daylily Called It A Dangerous Moment is a woman’s heartwrenching meditations on her rape. A picture of the assault – for much of the collection she refuses to call it “rape” because “assault was prettier. Assault was less invasive” (p.21) – emerges as we read. The pieces are all deeply evocative of her suffering and terror. The imagery is stark and the emotions intense. If you can handle the subject matter, I heartily recommend this book. 5/5.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection plays with your mind in a loose and liberating manner. These gritty poems have a lyrical tone to them, and are feminine, honest, and expansive. This collection is worthwhile reading twice or more. I appreciate Alice James Books for making this excellent writing available.

[Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner of the 2017 Balcones Prize for Outstanding Poetry Book
Finalist for the LA Times Book Prize in Poetry

Depicting rape and its aftermath with moral determination, hard-won vision, and a wild, compelling music (“Close, door. Close, petal. Human eye, you close too”), this brilliant book, steeped in keen natural imagery, is a triumph of bravery and artistry.