Things I Learned in the Night : A collection of poetry about love, heartbreak, and healing

by Emily Juniper

For fans of Rupi Kaur, Lang Leav, and Amanda Lovelace comes the third and best selling collection of poetry from Emily Juniper. winner of the Quercus Review Press Poetry Award.

Things I Learned in the Night (winner of the Quercus Review Press Poetry Award) is a beautiful, raw poetry collection and a tribute to young love in a society that so often tries to invalidate it. In this collection, Juniper explores love, heartbreak, as well as the seeds of her questioning her own sexuality. 



Like a worn blanket,

a bad hand of cards,

or flour into egg.

I fold into you easily

as if we belong

under

on top of

all over one another.

–Fold





We grow round and supple with age–

a little thicker in the thighs,

a bit rounder in the middle.

We are so full,

yet we look in the mirror and

try to convince ourselves

we’re not pretty anymore

because the magazines tell us

our soft and our stretch marks aren’t beautiful.

But go to the mango tree,

seek out a fruit,

and tell me you won’t pick the

fullest, ripest one.

–Ripe

Genres: Poetry

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2020

Reviews

[Vi]

I tried really hard to like this book, but it just wasn't it for me. The writing felt very generic, which really saddens me. What makes me even more sad is the fact that the two other collections by this writer that I read were also disappointing.

[Honey]

Poetry can be subjective so for that reason I am giving the author props for the tenacity and rawness of her words. Just not quite for me.

“I feel it in my bones knock-knock-knocking on my spine”

“Like a worn blanket, a bad hand of cards, or flour into egg, I fold into you easily as if I belong
under
on top of
all over one another”

The style of poetry is of its time - quite generic, very “it is what it is”, and straight-talking - which sometimes makes it relatable but cringe-worthy. Where there are metaphors, it gets lost in self-indulgence.

And it’s not that I dislike this type of poetry. There is something to be said about the likes of Lang Leav Rupi Kaur (although I’m not as keen on her stuff either) and Beau Taplin, who paved an opening for this new era of poetry. But there is a difference in their writing, which still kinda reflects imagination and clever word play.

There are loads of social media poets who have become quite prominent in their “craft” inasmuch as they’ve also become aggressive in their promotion, to the point that I wonder if it’s still about the poetry rather than the likes and shares. But I digress.

This just felt like reading someone’s notebook of scribbles.

And maybe that’s what it is meant to be.

[Cash]

"We held hands
with out fingers
laced like
corsets that fit
so perfectly so
snugly
I could hardly breathe"

[Rachel Bowdler]

Really lovely poetry - I read in one sitting!

[Dhruv]

"Things I Learned in the Night" by Emily Juniper is a beautiful collection of poetry that explores the many facets of love, heartbreak, and healing. Juniper's writing is powerful and raw, conveying the intense emotions that come with these experiences with incredible sensitivity and grace.

The book is divided into three sections, each of which examines a different aspect of the author's personal journey. In the first section, Juniper explores the highs and lows of falling in love, capturing the excitement and vulnerability of opening oneself up to another person. The poems are filled with vivid imagery and sensory details, bringing the reader into the heart of the author's experiences.

In the second section, the author delves into the pain of heartbreak and the process of healing. Juniper's writing is both poignant and hopeful, conveying the depth of emotion that comes with the end of a relationship with incredible sensitivity and grace.

The final section of the book explores the themes of self-discovery and personal growth. These poems are thoughtful and introspective, exploring the many facets of the human experience and the complexities of navigating one's place in the world.

Throughout "Things I Learned in the Night," Juniper's writing is beautiful and evocative, weaving together rich metaphors, poignant insights, and a deep understanding of the human heart. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautiful and thought-provoking poetry that speaks to the soul.

[Eve L-A Witherington]

Detailing the joys of childhood with no ties in life, first love, the feeling and impact it has, joy and questioning, the brutal realities of aging and self love as we judge ourselves all the way through growing through life.

More Unhelpful Help was an absolutely gutting poem about friendship, love and betrayal which was heartbreaking to read but shows strength in the beautiful writing detailing openly and honestly how hard it can effect you.

Poems including references to Bon Iver and Steinbeck to me were so relatable especially feeling like Lennie after losing love in any way, it can be hard to feel understood in trying and ultimately this collection made me feel like the depths of my mind had been explored, living up to the collections title, it definitely made me feel reflective at night.

[Ares]

This book is in the middle of the catastrophe we call "contemporary poetry".

Of course, it was generic, boring and not really personal, but the poems were better than in other books like this. I can listen to emotional music while reading, and the poems still don't manage to move me, like at all.

Just go open Pinterest and look up sad poems, it is quicker, and you have the chance to get a good background with your poem (and you don't have to fight through those poetry books, I think are a waste of paper).

If you really want to feel emotional and motivated, just google quotes from famous philosophers or celebrities. They mastered poetry more than any poet here.

What am I allowed to expect from poems like this?
Do they rime? Are they emotional? Are they beautiful?

[Shannon O'Connor]

This collection of poetry was almost comically honest. Juniper doesn’t beat around the bush here, she is raw and candid in every poem. I especially loved ‘Werewolves in the City’ and ‘Pavlov’s Dog’. It is rare to find poetry these days that can make me smile and relate to positively. Juniper also had some powerful lines; ‘but thats the problem, see; I’m kneeling at your feet, offering you the skin off my back and still you need an old wives tale to prove that’s enough’. I would recommend this collection to anyone who wants unique and beautiful poetry.

[Izabella Britten]

Some of my favorites:
Juliet
The Modern Day Playboy
First Date
Andromeda- So realistic, relatable and heartbreaking. There is a time when you can only see on person you think that is it and then your whole world changes. This one just hits hard.
Summer Boy- This one is so Bonrad coded. I love it!!!
Connective Tissue

[Riss 🫶🏻☕️]

Emily Juniper is ALWAYS on point with her beautiful poetry. I adored every line she wrote. Review on my blog.

[Evesmindfulplace]

Manche Texte waren so schön aber viele konnten mich nicht so sehr berühren und waren auch sehr kurz

[Tiffany S]

Beautiful cover!!! A very personal to the author collection that I didn’t relate to much of. Some gems though!

[Luka]

3.5/5

[zimtyreads]

Sorry aber bin eingepennt

[Sophie Bowns]

I much preferred the longer pieces!

I’d probably give this a 3.5⭐️ as some of the short poems did feel similar to Rupi Kaur’s work. The longer pieces were great though.

[Lexi Sangiacomo]

Only liked a few

[Estee Hull]

I absolutely loved this collection of works, highly recommend.

[Mallory Paul]

This was beautifully done. I loved Johnny, it left me with so much to dream about.

[Genesis]

A little simple but I honestly didn’t mind. Sometimes poetry without all the metaphors and melodrama can be nice and refreshing. A good collection about love and heartbreak on different levels.

[Kristalyn Severns]

1.) a quick read
2.) I think all girls/ women can relate to this poetry. Juniper captures the complexities of adolescence, here

[Sefri Kuehn]

I was immediately drawn in by the title, and stayed for all the poems and writings that touched me to the core. I relate so much with some of these, and I’m so glad that i read this!^^

[D.L. Holmes]

What a wonderful experience. Cover to cover, this book was my Christmas, I finished in one go. I felt youth, and love, and heartbreak, and at the end, I even felt like one day, I might be okay.

[🖤 livingdeadgill 🖤]

Not my cup of tea. I have the same critiques as I have for most contemporary micro poetry: a bit generic and cheesy and could use some work. There were also quite a few editing errors in the book.