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Our Debatable Bodies
Our Debatable Bodies is a bold proclamation of defiance, love, and rage. Each poem contemplates the inner self in relation to the shared intimacies that define public and private spaces. Marisa Crane’s unfiltered depictions of the moments and memories inhabited by queer existence, awaken the forces within- as truth and survival become generational triumphs that outlast any and all doubts.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2019
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169 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Crane
17 books267 followersMac Crane is an American writer. Their debut novel I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Speculative Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 21, 2020
This collection was such an incredible testimonial to love as a queer person. The poems were rich, and angry, and sassy, and direct, and powerful. Hands down a collection I will read and re-read.
January 3, 2020
As the title suggests, this collection has a lot to do with societal perception of the physical body, particularly for women who love other women, and women who don’t conform to gender norms. The book is also about how the world is not yet a welcoming place for people who are LGBTQIA, and while attitudes are changing, they aren’t changed. There are still people out there who judge, and there are polarizing reactions to same-sex couples which heterosexual couples don’t ever experience.
In “A MAN AT A PARTY TELLS US HE VOTES REPUBLICAN BUT ASSURES US HE IS SOCIALLY LIBERAL,” the speaker says: “when we get home/we brush our debatable teeth/wash our debatable faces/undress our debatable bodies.” There is a dark observer, presumably the man in the title, casting a shadow over the couple’s actions, causing normal routine to feel threatened. “in bed we practice remembrance/we rub our inconsolable/legs together the melody, /an assertion/of our reality,” the speaker says. Here, the writer creates a bold statement—two people who love each other, but because they are both the same sex, their love is considered to be, as the poem says, “debatable.” The final image of the poem pulls away from this dark specter, in a sense, overcoming his discriminatory beliefs. The two women are in bed together, listening to the crickets outside. The poet fights back at that observer, banishing him. The final line is quite lovely, leaving the reader with a sense of peace and longing—“it is beautiful/just the way/elegies should be.”
This book boldly defies those who would say that this isn’t a love story—Ultimately, this book is a love story. It’s about the simple magic of living a life with the person that you’re in love with. It’s about someone living their truth, openly. Crane writes pieces that are emotionally charged and pack big punches right in the feels, like “FOR TONIGHT WE ATTEND A FERTILITY SEMINAR,” and “HOMOPHOBIA.” She balances these pieces with ones that have an enormous sense of joie de vivre and embracing of life, particularly in “UPON LISTENING TO VANCE JOY’S ‘WASTED TIME’.” The poem, “IN THIS ROBE,” particularly speaks to me. It’s quirky and comforting, and it sets a really nice opening tone for the collection.
In “A MAN AT A PARTY TELLS US HE VOTES REPUBLICAN BUT ASSURES US HE IS SOCIALLY LIBERAL,” the speaker says: “when we get home/we brush our debatable teeth/wash our debatable faces/undress our debatable bodies.” There is a dark observer, presumably the man in the title, casting a shadow over the couple’s actions, causing normal routine to feel threatened. “in bed we practice remembrance/we rub our inconsolable/legs together the melody, /an assertion/of our reality,” the speaker says. Here, the writer creates a bold statement—two people who love each other, but because they are both the same sex, their love is considered to be, as the poem says, “debatable.” The final image of the poem pulls away from this dark specter, in a sense, overcoming his discriminatory beliefs. The two women are in bed together, listening to the crickets outside. The poet fights back at that observer, banishing him. The final line is quite lovely, leaving the reader with a sense of peace and longing—“it is beautiful/just the way/elegies should be.”
This book boldly defies those who would say that this isn’t a love story—Ultimately, this book is a love story. It’s about the simple magic of living a life with the person that you’re in love with. It’s about someone living their truth, openly. Crane writes pieces that are emotionally charged and pack big punches right in the feels, like “FOR TONIGHT WE ATTEND A FERTILITY SEMINAR,” and “HOMOPHOBIA.” She balances these pieces with ones that have an enormous sense of joie de vivre and embracing of life, particularly in “UPON LISTENING TO VANCE JOY’S ‘WASTED TIME’.” The poem, “IN THIS ROBE,” particularly speaks to me. It’s quirky and comforting, and it sets a really nice opening tone for the collection.
November 20, 2020
I stumbled across "Our Debatable Bodies" in a Mr. K's bookstore and had just enough credit to buy it. I usually trade the books from Mr. K's in again so I have a revolving door of beautiful words, but I don't think I will ever be able to part with this one. My anxious lesbian ass stuck in South Carolina for the next 5 years of my life is going to cling to this collection like a life raft. I love it. 15/10 made me cry over my lucky charms and then feel whole for the rest of the day.
June 11, 2019
A thundering crash, a bathtub full of warm water, and armor for a world not quite ready for us. This chapbook is a needed reminder, joy, and punch - at least one for each reader.
June 28, 2019
Marisa Crane is a poet of the mouth. Mouth as the wound one opens to name the wounded. Mouth as flickering hyphen. As a thing not spoken for. In Our Debatable Bodies, words like ‘tomboy’ turn yellow in the toothless boy of tomorrow and language lives long enough to land on the same suicide note. In reading, I realized that though I forgive, I perhaps do so on a budget. That though I strive to recognize, my recognition is manmade. That what I call merely a child’s costume was perhaps put on by one wearing an eyeless mask. Maybe there is no big picture, only photos taken by giants? I guess what I mean is…Crane sees. And more so, looks.
August 6, 2019
I sat down and read this in one setting, pulled from page to page by the ache of recognition. Crane is the master of beauty, desire, anger, and body. She astounded me with her imagery and use of language. As a queer woman it's hard to find writing that feels like home sometimes, but this book was one such place for me.
June 19, 2020
Our Debatable Bodies didn't do that much for me as a reader. I enjoyed it, but until "For Tonight We Attend a Fertility Seminar" I thought I was going to make it through the whole book without having a poem to single out as really meaningful to me.
August 28, 2023
Sealey Challenge #7. This collection is tight, controlled language and unapologetic queerness. Crane forces us to witness their spectrum of experiences--I was invested in every page. My favorite Sealey Challenge book so far this year.
July 12, 2019
I adored this collection of poetry about love, anger, and the idea of beginnings. Highly recommended!!
February 25, 2020
I like her phrasing, her material. Wit & sorrow, defiance & sex & love.
May 12, 2025
Marisa Crane does NOT miss! Equally both sensitive and fierce, and I've come to expect nothing less from her.
October 25, 2020
A really wonderful collection of poems, Crane writes about queerness, mental health, acceptance, and always - love.
from We Get to Talking About Dating Apps & I Remember How: "The only difference between // the men & our flag is the expectation / of kneeling before one & not / the other."
from The Old White Man at OB Noodle House Calls His Son-in-Law a Fag: "I can see hi now / flustered & drunk screaming to his [unsatisfied] / wife it's just a word! / & I want to time travel to the future & slap the language / from his mouth"
Overall a very good collection of poetry, definitely recommend you check this one out.
from We Get to Talking About Dating Apps & I Remember How: "The only difference between // the men & our flag is the expectation / of kneeling before one & not / the other."
from The Old White Man at OB Noodle House Calls His Son-in-Law a Fag: "I can see hi now / flustered & drunk screaming to his [unsatisfied] / wife it's just a word! / & I want to time travel to the future & slap the language / from his mouth"
Overall a very good collection of poetry, definitely recommend you check this one out.
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November 5, 2019I enjoyed the way the love poems in this collection sat next to and with the more fiery poems, how the defiance and righteous anger of the initial poems sharpens the intimacy of the later poems. I'm interested to read more of Crane's work.
December 15, 2019
Accessible and good
Queerness and bodies and fertility and bars and love. So many topics in easy to understand but also beautiful language
Queerness and bodies and fertility and bars and love. So many topics in easy to understand but also beautiful language
August 30, 2020
Deeply personal and fiercely political, Our Debatable Bodies celebrates queer love in the face of hate and fear. Crane is a prophet of defiance and desire. Heed their call!
August 6, 2024
Her words touch your actual soul. I will read and reread Marisa’s poetry until the end of time.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews