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Flowers on the Moon
Social media sensation Billy Chapata shares insight and advice into the powerful world of love, heartbreak, and what comes next. This collection of poetry and prose will justify heartache and inspire the fortitude to survive and prosper.
From Chameleon Aura author Billy Chapata comes his second major poetry collection, Flowers on the Moon . Chapata presents his signature blend of experience and advice through a chaptered series of prose and poetry. Filled with the familiar themes of love, loss, resilience, and growth From Chameleon Aura but with fresh poems and new advice, his touching narrative celebrates humanity for its undeniable worth, and this collection will leave readers warm with hope for growth, rebirth, and, most prominently, self-acceptance.
From Chameleon Aura author Billy Chapata comes his second major poetry collection, Flowers on the Moon . Chapata presents his signature blend of experience and advice through a chaptered series of prose and poetry. Filled with the familiar themes of love, loss, resilience, and growth From Chameleon Aura but with fresh poems and new advice, his touching narrative celebrates humanity for its undeniable worth, and this collection will leave readers warm with hope for growth, rebirth, and, most prominently, self-acceptance.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2020
683 people are currently reading
15348 people want to read
About the author
Billy Chapata
12 books451 followersBilly Chapata is a Zimbabwean writer, author, and creative based in Atlanta, Georgia. Billy's work aims to touch on the concepts of love, healing, connections, and growth, through poetry, storytelling, and narrative. Writing came into his life as a means of sustenance, self-love, and empowerment: Billy writes to heal, he writes to grow, he writes to survive. His poetically infused words, memorable lessons, and bittersweet experiences have become a point of resonance and comfort for many across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
December 24, 2020
This was absolutely lovely! I'm so glad I'm getting more into poetry.
March 25, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Flowers on the Moon is a beautiful, thought provoking book of poetry by Billy Chapata.
These poems are so beautifully written and are mainly about self-love, acceptance, loving yourself and finding yourself. I could feel the positive mindset and encouragement in nearly every single poem within this uplifting collection of heartfelt poetry.
Some of the poems were almost like miniature stories and I found myself unable to pull myself away from discovering more and more as I read it.
This is a book I highly recommend for anyone who loves poetry or is wanting to start/get back to reading it.
Flowers on the Moon is a beautiful, thought provoking book of poetry by Billy Chapata.
These poems are so beautifully written and are mainly about self-love, acceptance, loving yourself and finding yourself. I could feel the positive mindset and encouragement in nearly every single poem within this uplifting collection of heartfelt poetry.
Some of the poems were almost like miniature stories and I found myself unable to pull myself away from discovering more and more as I read it.
This is a book I highly recommend for anyone who loves poetry or is wanting to start/get back to reading it.
August 6, 2021
Can’t say I hated it, can’t say I loved it. The thing about these self love poetry books is that there’s a fine line where it starts to sound selfish and a bit narcissistic! I hate when people play victim but also manage to play the same role of superiority! Like what the heck! Also, it gets annoying after a while rereading the same concept over and over again! But it is one of the better ones for modern Instagram poetry that I’ve read so I wouldn’t stop anyone from picking it up and reading it but also wouldn’t really recommend. If that makes sense! Lol.
September 7, 2020
Flowers on the Moon by Billy Chapata is my introduction to the work of this 'social media sensation', and I must say that I am regretting not discovering him sooner. This is an uplifting, empowering collection that advocates self-love and acceptance, and I devoured each and every word. This is a book that I would happily purchase to share with friends and family, and I can envision myself returning to it time and again to absorb Billy's wise words of encouragement and messages of positivity.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 19, 2023
I had to force myself to finish this collection. It was like watching paint dry. It felt redundant and surface level. There were a few sentences I liked that made me think “hmm” …but mostly I felt my eyes skimming the pages. I can see why it would resonate for some. I’m all for self love but this wasn’t it for me.
September 2, 2020
Unfortunately, I can mostly just copy and paste how I felt about another Chapata collection into my review here:
This wasn't for me. There are some great images and lines scattered throughout the collection, and generally the messages are very positive and encouraging, but much of the poetry fell into a trap that is a pet peeve of mine in much of modern poetry: it told me, plainly, what message I should get from the poem. Usually as the last line. So many of the poems ended with things along the lines of (these aren't specific examples), "Believe in yourself," or "Just keep going," or the like. That sucks all the subtlety out of poetry, and if you don't have to think about poetry then you're wasting your time. I don't believe every poem should require intense study, but if I can't even pause and see how I feel about a poem without being hit over the head with an explicit explanation of what it is about then something is seriously wrong. Good writing will make me think and feel, not just tell me what to think or how to feel.
I also didn't love the excessive use of bolding in the formatting-- it sucked even more subtlety out.
All of that said, I do think that Chapata is getting better. I still feel like I need to see a lot of change before I would start enjoying his poetry in a significant way, but he has improved since the last collection I read.
This wasn't for me. There are some great images and lines scattered throughout the collection, and generally the messages are very positive and encouraging, but much of the poetry fell into a trap that is a pet peeve of mine in much of modern poetry: it told me, plainly, what message I should get from the poem. Usually as the last line. So many of the poems ended with things along the lines of (these aren't specific examples), "Believe in yourself," or "Just keep going," or the like. That sucks all the subtlety out of poetry, and if you don't have to think about poetry then you're wasting your time. I don't believe every poem should require intense study, but if I can't even pause and see how I feel about a poem without being hit over the head with an explicit explanation of what it is about then something is seriously wrong. Good writing will make me think and feel, not just tell me what to think or how to feel.
I also didn't love the excessive use of bolding in the formatting-- it sucked even more subtlety out.
All of that said, I do think that Chapata is getting better. I still feel like I need to see a lot of change before I would start enjoying his poetry in a significant way, but he has improved since the last collection I read.
July 26, 2021
blood isn't immune to boundaries.
you are allowed to protect yourself from
family who disrupt your peace intentionally and unintentionally.
you are allowed to protect yourself from
family who disrupt your peace intentionally and unintentionally.
February 12, 2022
Was tempted to DNF this book every time I picked it up. Decided to push through and finish instead. I rolled my eyes most of the time while reading this, but gave it 1/5 (instead of 0/5 or DNF) because there were a few beautiful poems...but in the 275+ poems there should be more than just a few good ones.
December 14, 2022
you can tell a man wrote this
February 21, 2021
I understand why this book resonates with many people. It is a sort of manifesto around some of the most common feelings, we humans experience: Heartbreak, love, loss, confidence and lack there of, friendship, family. Some pages resonated with me, but for me, this book lacks the literary creativity that poetry usually holds - even modern poetry.
Instead of using images and metaphors to let the reader experience the words, the words were pushed on to the reader.
That said, I did like some sentences, but it is easily a phrase I would like on social media and never think about it again.
Instead of using images and metaphors to let the reader experience the words, the words were pushed on to the reader.
That said, I did like some sentences, but it is easily a phrase I would like on social media and never think about it again.
October 11, 2020
⨳3.5⨳
“Clothe her in love but leave her mind naked”
How much I want to enlarge and print these pages so I can hang them in my room and never run out of those little balmy and warm bursts of pure tender sunshine!
More than as poetry, it read as a very beautifully written and put together a compilation of quotes that strove to mend every heart.
It champions self-love and self-care so much, I do think, it might get a bit repetitive for some. I tried to read it over a few days instead of devouring it in a day as I’m used to. That improved my reading experience and made me appreciate the beauty of this little book.
I also very much enjoyed the first part of it-Deimos. Few of my fav pieces were: Guiltless, Empathy, I hope, Question:, Priorities, Bad Blood, and okay, there are quite a many!
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Clothe her in love but leave her mind naked”
How much I want to enlarge and print these pages so I can hang them in my room and never run out of those little balmy and warm bursts of pure tender sunshine!
More than as poetry, it read as a very beautifully written and put together a compilation of quotes that strove to mend every heart.
It champions self-love and self-care so much, I do think, it might get a bit repetitive for some. I tried to read it over a few days instead of devouring it in a day as I’m used to. That improved my reading experience and made me appreciate the beauty of this little book.
I also very much enjoyed the first part of it-Deimos. Few of my fav pieces were: Guiltless, Empathy, I hope, Question:, Priorities, Bad Blood, and okay, there are quite a many!
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 25, 2022
2.5 stars
i tried i really did but this read more like daily affirmations than poetry. i pushed through to pg 205 and it got repetitive and felt like a chore so i stopped.
i marked down the poems i liked and there was 3, plus the line
"poison comes in shiny bottles too".
my good friend Sam lent me this book and in my opinion, her poetry is better than anything i read in this.
i gave it a go, but i think its safe to say that im not a huge fan of short-form "instagram-y" poetry. its just not for me.
i did like the themes of self love and putting yourself first i just felt it really lacking.
but thank you Sam for letting me borrow it.
2.5 stars for themes, effort, and a few good lines.
i tried i really did but this read more like daily affirmations than poetry. i pushed through to pg 205 and it got repetitive and felt like a chore so i stopped.
i marked down the poems i liked and there was 3, plus the line
"poison comes in shiny bottles too".
my good friend Sam lent me this book and in my opinion, her poetry is better than anything i read in this.
i gave it a go, but i think its safe to say that im not a huge fan of short-form "instagram-y" poetry. its just not for me.
i did like the themes of self love and putting yourself first i just felt it really lacking.
but thank you Sam for letting me borrow it.
2.5 stars for themes, effort, and a few good lines.
June 18, 2021
Redundant. I had high hopes for this collection. Much of this collection promotes eliminating toxicity from your life, dropping anyone who doesn’t support you or your growth. Then almost in the same breath they talk about how spectacular it is to have people be supportive during trying times. Everything is painted in black and white in this collection, very harsh. Poor formatting, One star. :(
May 9, 2022
darling,
2/10
2/10
May 16, 2021
I was really disappointed with this collection :( I don’t read poetry often, but when I do, I love how thought provoking it is. And how I read metaphors and decipher the meaning and how it relates to my life. I wasn’t able to do that with these poems because everything was very simply put, and in fact almost every poem had a word or words bolded to clearly state the meaning. It took away the beauty of poetry for me. However, some of the poems did resonate with me and I can see how people would love this collection.
June 9, 2022
Each page was repetitive, and I wouldn't qualify it as poetry. Pretty disappointed.
January 18, 2021
"Learning:
the art of losing love
but continuing to love yourself."
the art of losing love
but continuing to love yourself."
August 19, 2023
goodreads, please stop pushing bad poetry my way <3
October 31, 2022
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
“My love can be messy.”
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this author’s poetry books! They are short and sweet reads with a very inspirational message flowing throughout. I will definitely be buying some physical copies for gifts and my personal collection. I also loved how he narrates all his books, as I believe no one can read the material quite like it’s own author!
“My love can be messy.”
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this author’s poetry books! They are short and sweet reads with a very inspirational message flowing throughout. I will definitely be buying some physical copies for gifts and my personal collection. I also loved how he narrates all his books, as I believe no one can read the material quite like it’s own author!
June 16, 2023
I’ll admit, I read it cuz ‘moon’ was in the title.
Honestly, some poems I like and others I just don’t relate to. Probably because it’s mostly about someone’s who has lost a battle of love but is trying or found peace in themselves. Perhaps I might read it in the future again, maybe then I’ll relate on a much deeper level.
Other than that, it did not disappoint.
Honestly, some poems I like and others I just don’t relate to. Probably because it’s mostly about someone’s who has lost a battle of love but is trying or found peace in themselves. Perhaps I might read it in the future again, maybe then I’ll relate on a much deeper level.
Other than that, it did not disappoint.
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September 2, 2022loved <3. beautiful writing, beautiful messages, and an overall beautiful piece.
December 31, 2022
i had 2 issues with this book.
1) it's SO repetitive. so repetitive. very repetitive. (get it?) things were said 10,12,15 times over the course of the book and i wanted to scream "WE GET IT!!". the book revolves around self love and growth, so maybe the point was to emphasize certain things, but it just got boring after a while.
2) it spells everything out for you. i enjoy poetry most when i have to think about it, come back to it after contemplating its meaning. but this book just, well, said everything we were supposed to get from it.
now, i know that a lot of modern poetry being published right now has a very similar style to it, so ill give it grace because of the culture of poetry right now, but still.
despite the disagreements i had with the writing style, i actually enjoyed it quite a bit. i had started the first 20 or so pages a couple months ago and never got around to actually finishing it, but when i started to read it again, i read it in 24 hours. there were some really brilliant lines and pages in there. in the section "lantana", there are 2 side-by-side pages called "i met your mother for the first time today," and "i met your father for the first time today," and by the end, i was crying. there are some really beautiful pages in there, i just really wish it wasnt so consistent with poetry right now.
3/5 stars
1) it's SO repetitive. so repetitive. very repetitive. (get it?) things were said 10,12,15 times over the course of the book and i wanted to scream "WE GET IT!!". the book revolves around self love and growth, so maybe the point was to emphasize certain things, but it just got boring after a while.
2) it spells everything out for you. i enjoy poetry most when i have to think about it, come back to it after contemplating its meaning. but this book just, well, said everything we were supposed to get from it.
now, i know that a lot of modern poetry being published right now has a very similar style to it, so ill give it grace because of the culture of poetry right now, but still.
despite the disagreements i had with the writing style, i actually enjoyed it quite a bit. i had started the first 20 or so pages a couple months ago and never got around to actually finishing it, but when i started to read it again, i read it in 24 hours. there were some really brilliant lines and pages in there. in the section "lantana", there are 2 side-by-side pages called "i met your mother for the first time today," and "i met your father for the first time today," and by the end, i was crying. there are some really beautiful pages in there, i just really wish it wasnt so consistent with poetry right now.
3/5 stars
January 8, 2024
Literally worst poem book I’ve read thus far, and I’ve read quite a few. I would hardly even call it poetry, it’s just a bunch of self-help paragraphs that are repetitive and the book was SO long. I skimmed through the last half of it and read the same thing over and over again. Also hated his use of “darling” in most of the poems. Would not recommend.
May 24, 2021
I like some of the lines in this book, but there are many lines that seems to be a too narcissistic. It kinda like, stroking your ego. I don’t know how to say it. Yes, it is about loving yourself and may sound selfish but some lines are a bit off. Also, many are repetitive.
April 29, 2022
i read 300 pages of the same poem in different fonts
September 6, 2024
3.5 stars! The first fifty ish percent of this book read like every other modern poetry book. No sense of cohesiveness, bland language, primary focus on past lovers. Perhaps I am not the right audience (if there are those for something as personal as poetry). There was also not a single capitalization, which is a style choice, but one I am not here for.
The book covers themes of love, cutting away toxic people, healing, growth/progress, and happiness.
But it got better! I loved picking out the bits on happiness and bettering yourself.
My highlights:
“it is no mistake that you are here. your existence is no coincidence, so that should add more sense to your presence—there is much more ahead of you. much more light, much more goodness, much more sweetness. much more laughter, much more happiness, much more love. much more peace, much more connection, much more growth.”
“you don’t have to feel guilty for failing to do what you promised yourself you would do anymore. you are allowed to fall over and over, until you learn how to walk again.”
“i am not attached to the person i am, nor am i attached to the person i was. i am only attached to the thought of evolving into the fullest version of myself.”
“moonchild, trust this phase of your life that you’re currently in. no matter how cold or warm this phase feels, embrace it. give it a hug, listen to it, absorb it, understand it. you are where you are supposed to be right now. trust your phases.”
“you are full of so many chapters. you have been many different poems before. you are a different essence now, a different embodiment; but don’t hang on to the poem that you were, because the poem you are becoming will prove to be the most beautiful one you’ve ever written.”
“i learned that i am both art and a work in progress,”
“when words escape you, wait for them to find you again. the right words will come back home when they are ready. wait for them; don’t rush them.”
“allow sadness to visit. allow sadness a temporary tour. allow sadness to come by and give you a few lessons, but never allow sadness to stay. once you’ve felt everything it’s had to say, and once it’s taught you everything you need to know, leave the door open for happiness.”
“she chose happiness, and it was the most beautiful fabric i’ve ever seen on her.”
“there is much more magic in days ahead.”
“i am constantly outgrowing the person i was yesterday. the person i’m becoming owes the person i was no explanation.”
“we’ve outgrown each other, and that’s okay.”
“water your bad days with love and patience, watch as flowers grow from it tomorrow.”
The book covers themes of love, cutting away toxic people, healing, growth/progress, and happiness.
But it got better! I loved picking out the bits on happiness and bettering yourself.
My highlights:
“it is no mistake that you are here. your existence is no coincidence, so that should add more sense to your presence—there is much more ahead of you. much more light, much more goodness, much more sweetness. much more laughter, much more happiness, much more love. much more peace, much more connection, much more growth.”
“you don’t have to feel guilty for failing to do what you promised yourself you would do anymore. you are allowed to fall over and over, until you learn how to walk again.”
“i am not attached to the person i am, nor am i attached to the person i was. i am only attached to the thought of evolving into the fullest version of myself.”
“moonchild, trust this phase of your life that you’re currently in. no matter how cold or warm this phase feels, embrace it. give it a hug, listen to it, absorb it, understand it. you are where you are supposed to be right now. trust your phases.”
“you are full of so many chapters. you have been many different poems before. you are a different essence now, a different embodiment; but don’t hang on to the poem that you were, because the poem you are becoming will prove to be the most beautiful one you’ve ever written.”
“i learned that i am both art and a work in progress,”
“when words escape you, wait for them to find you again. the right words will come back home when they are ready. wait for them; don’t rush them.”
“allow sadness to visit. allow sadness a temporary tour. allow sadness to come by and give you a few lessons, but never allow sadness to stay. once you’ve felt everything it’s had to say, and once it’s taught you everything you need to know, leave the door open for happiness.”
“she chose happiness, and it was the most beautiful fabric i’ve ever seen on her.”
“there is much more magic in days ahead.”
“i am constantly outgrowing the person i was yesterday. the person i’m becoming owes the person i was no explanation.”
“we’ve outgrown each other, and that’s okay.”
“water your bad days with love and patience, watch as flowers grow from it tomorrow.”
November 8, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review Flowers on the Moon.
Author: Billy Chapata
Published: 11/08/22
Narrator: Billy Chapata
Genre: Poetry
I am enjoying the author as the narrator. Chapata has a clear and well-tempered voice.
The audiobook has instrumental music in the background, and it was disruptive. I
I enjoyed previous works by the author. Flowers on the Moon does not work for me. I'm grateful this was not my first by him. I don't think I would have gone onto two others.
The text is repetitive; ...... cutting ties, cutting ties, cutting ties. In another spot, nothing headed four thoughts within 20 seconds. This is mind-blowing, water dripping, and YouTube content creators who repeat themselves back-to-back.
Sadly, I would not gift this.
Author: Billy Chapata
Published: 11/08/22
Narrator: Billy Chapata
Genre: Poetry
I am enjoying the author as the narrator. Chapata has a clear and well-tempered voice.
The audiobook has instrumental music in the background, and it was disruptive. I
I enjoyed previous works by the author. Flowers on the Moon does not work for me. I'm grateful this was not my first by him. I don't think I would have gone onto two others.
The text is repetitive; ...... cutting ties, cutting ties, cutting ties. In another spot, nothing headed four thoughts within 20 seconds. This is mind-blowing, water dripping, and YouTube content creators who repeat themselves back-to-back.
Sadly, I would not gift this.
April 25, 2024
Flowers on the Moon by Billy Chapata is an inspiring and hopeful book of poetry. Chapata splits his book into 3 different "chapters" and in each "chapter" his poems all have similar messages. The topic I feel he discusses the most in all of his poems is self-love and setting boundaries. His poetry had a way of bringing how humans feel inside and what they do that negatively affects them and he made poems seem like gentle yet powerful reminders to fix those things. Flowers on the Moon was an extremely fitting title of what he wrote because we as humans are rough, so to speak, and our journey through life is all about growing in this rough life we are put through. Flowers don't grow on the moon, but they could. His poems are all about how you could grow and you can be better than you were as long as you set boundaries and put in the effort to change and grow. I gave this book 4/5 stars because while it was hopeful and inspiring, the messages and wording felt rather repetitive. I did like the book and the different ways he would address his poems, my favorite one being "darling" because those always ended up being my favorite poems. This is a great book full of beautiful poetry (written in strange ways sometimes) and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs help with self love and growing out of a tough situation.
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October 12, 2024Wow. When I said I was going to read a poetry book each month I clearly didn’t know how much dedication it would take! Also, I’m sticking to my “no rating” approach to poetry. It’s just so hard to give poetry books a rating. Poetry is meant to make you feel something and that something is different for everyone. 🤷🏼♀️
This was lovely. I think it had a little too much pedantic showiness at times, but it was raw and a lot of the poems just really felt like a little affirmation for me. It wasn’t my all time favorite poetry book, but it wasn’t bad. I would say it was sort of what I expected: a book of okay poetry meant to remind you that you’re imperfect in the most perfect and beautiful ways. Also, I’m sure the lowercase “i” I’m a lot of the poems was a purposeful choice, but I seriously hated it. 😂
Basically, It has very “Rupi Kaur” vibes.
This was lovely. I think it had a little too much pedantic showiness at times, but it was raw and a lot of the poems just really felt like a little affirmation for me. It wasn’t my all time favorite poetry book, but it wasn’t bad. I would say it was sort of what I expected: a book of okay poetry meant to remind you that you’re imperfect in the most perfect and beautiful ways. Also, I’m sure the lowercase “i” I’m a lot of the poems was a purposeful choice, but I seriously hated it. 😂
Basically, It has very “Rupi Kaur” vibes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews