Space to Bloom

by Kelly Bertzyk

In her debut poetry collection, Kelly Bertzyk presents a modern diary of sorts, wherein she captures the dichotomies within young relationships, both romantic and platonic. The poet’s grasp on both love, and a life without, flow freely into each other and sends readers through a journey to self-growth and understanding. In making sense of everything she has lost, Bertzyk finds clarity in everything she has gained in the aftermath and invites readers to explore their own feelings and personal relationships long after the book is over. "Space to Bloom" is sure to leave readers feeling full of nostalgia, melancholy, and ultimately, peace.

Genres: Poetry

287 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2020

Reviews

[Hannah B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Each poem literally felt like a Taylor Swift song.✨

My mom saw this on the Facebook page of an indie bookstore in the cities and ordered it for me for Christmas and I’m not sure what string of fate was playing that day but my GOD these poems were MEANT for me. AH! So happy she knows me that well to know nothing about this book besides that it “felt like you.”

I need to compile my favorites and add them here but I have so many sticky notes I need to go sort through. Seriously fuck me up this is a book of poems for the broken-hearted and I shouldn’t take so much joy from being able to scream at this book “THAT’S IT” like Lucy yelled at Shroeder but I DID and I DO.

Seriously, you can tell Kelly is a Taylor fan. I swear swifties hit different. August stans won tonight bois.

✨”love isn’t a word, but the obsession between coy smiles”

✨”it feels cruel now, the way you took the time to learn me.”

✨maybe it could be lovely if you loved me . . . and maybe I wouldn’t romanticize your morning eyes and pour metaphors into your coffee”

✨the entire “The simplest love story.” poem on page 40

✨”you have a smile that reminds me of fresh strawberries on the first day of summer” — hating game rep we LOVE

✨”sometimes I forget you exist—and I have no idea about any of the little things”

✨”I don’t need you to miss me”

✨”everything is fine tonight but suddenly I feel like crying . . . it is okay to be a lot of things. It doesn’t mean I want to be them.”

✨”someone will go crazy unraveling you”

[Katie Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this debut collection. It meant everything to me. From the way love and loss was depicted with memories and small fragments of time, to the intertwining of inner monologue (diary entries) - this poetry collection has a special place in my heart.

My own experiences seem to connect straight with the words on the page and to see them beautifully written was beyond enjoyable.

If you liked Rupi Kaur’s work you will love this! (I preferred it massively)

[Mollie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of poems. The poetry was raw, deep, and cuts to the heart. Thank you Kelly, for your strength and vulnerability in publishing these poems. Poetry is not normally my memoir of choice but I would read these poems again and again and recommend to
my friends and fellow book lovers.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strikingly beautiful collection of poems that delve in to matters of young love, heartbreak, self-growth and reflection. So many poems hit home for me, especially the one that mentions “internalized warfare.” Kelly has a way with articulating her emotions that I’ve yet to see in modern poetry until now. This is personal and it shows. I particularly loved the mixing in of diary entries. I live for stream of consciousness. Happy to have read this in August.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any poetry books before, and as an introduction to poetry, this has to be the perfect one. I'm so inlove with this book.

Space To Bloom is a collection of beautiful poems and a few diary entries by the author, Kelly Bertzyk, focusing on relationships, love, and loss. And I have to be honest, I don't really have that much experience when it comes to romantic relationships, but that doesn't mean that I didn't relate to the poems in this book. Kelly's poems are full of raw and heartfelt words that I find myself hurting on the painful parts, in love on the romantic parts, and empowered and at peace on the parts showcasing acceptance.




There are so many, but this is one of the parts that I love so much:

"you are a vessel.
a beautiful,
worthy,
vessel.
and if you do not know that
do not seek the reassurance
in a partner.

there is a mirror,
waiting for you to find it ---
waiting for you to face it and say,
there you are
god,
you look so
good."

[Shannon Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

These intricately crafted poems have me feeling reflective and inspired to heal and create again after the mental health tumult of my early twenties. Each poem feels like a hug from a true friend, validating your experience and emotions. Beyond that, each one is written in such a compelling and heartfelt way that it's hard to put down the book. If you need to feel like the world is beautiful again and that things will change for the better, I highly recommend this poetry collection.

[Erin Baum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful debut collection of poems. Most are about love and loss, pain and loneliness. There are also a couple with themes of sisterhood. Many of the poems were very relatable and I found myself sharing the same pain, love, loss she had. I live for feeling all the emotions, good and bad, and she delivered that with these poems. She has a lovely way with words but also uses the right amount of grit when needed. As an empath, the author’s vulnerability and candidness resonated me with throughout the entire book. And the last entry at the end was the perfect ending. I have already marked several pages and intended to read it again and again. I would say if you are a poetry fan, or a fan of Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey, you would enjoy this.

[Noelle Darilek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of poems over the years and this ranks very highly in my list of favorites! I found myself re-reading poems after I had finished each one because I wanted to experience the magic all over again. I love how colloquial yet intricate the poems are and how open and vulnerable the pieces get. You really get a glimpse into the most intimate details/moments of the author’s life. It was one of those books I was jealous I didn’t write myself! Definitely one you could read over and over again and always relate too!

[Consuelo Bobadilla Cagliero · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an amazing work of art, I found myself saying “wow” out loud so many times. I know I’m gonna be reading this one again soon.

[Sabs ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️