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Vulnerable AF
Available as an Audie Award-nominated audiobook!
The debut poetry collection from Grammy-nominated recording artist and slam poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball about infatuation, love, and heartbreak.
The real-life story of a relationship in the author's past told in verse and short prose pieces. Relatable and honest, with Tank's signature mix of whimsy and realness, Vulnerable AF is about the difference between love and infatuation, the danger and confusion of losing yourself in the idea of someone else, and coming out on the other side of heartbreak with your sense of self-worth—and your sense of humor—stronger for it.
The debut poetry collection from Grammy-nominated recording artist and slam poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball about infatuation, love, and heartbreak.
The real-life story of a relationship in the author's past told in verse and short prose pieces. Relatable and honest, with Tank's signature mix of whimsy and realness, Vulnerable AF is about the difference between love and infatuation, the danger and confusion of losing yourself in the idea of someone else, and coming out on the other side of heartbreak with your sense of self-worth—and your sense of humor—stronger for it.
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First published June 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
September 20, 2021
Vulnerable AF is a small book of poetry that is narrated by the author and it is wonderful. The way that "Tank" flows like a seasoned slam poet is a whole vibe. It gave me open mic vibes when someone gets on the stage and you have no idea what will. happen. I heard the sound of drums,snaps and whistles. The whole scene was set for me and I came into this with so many questions about Tank's life and love and this delivered.
"If I suck the air really hard I can still taste your bottom lip" This was the flyest line I have ever heard.
This book was so honest and it even made me tear up a few times. They always tell you never fall for a poet because they will write about you. I felt the unrequited love and the secret affection. I am not conventionally pretty so I have unfortunately been the secret before. This book told the truth about that side of the world but there wasn't a hint of bitterness.
This 📖 book stood out to me because not only did Tarriona narrate but she put the same emotion and passion into the audiobook as she did into writing this. It was absolutely a pleasure to listen to and I look forward to seeing more of this author on my radar.
Thank you to Netgalley for an Audiobook ARC. This review is all my own and I am leaving an honest review.
"If I suck the air really hard I can still taste your bottom lip" This was the flyest line I have ever heard.
This book was so honest and it even made me tear up a few times. They always tell you never fall for a poet because they will write about you. I felt the unrequited love and the secret affection. I am not conventionally pretty so I have unfortunately been the secret before. This book told the truth about that side of the world but there wasn't a hint of bitterness.
This 📖 book stood out to me because not only did Tarriona narrate but she put the same emotion and passion into the audiobook as she did into writing this. It was absolutely a pleasure to listen to and I look forward to seeing more of this author on my radar.
Thank you to Netgalley for an Audiobook ARC. This review is all my own and I am leaving an honest review.
June 27, 2021
If I suck the air really hard
I could taste your bottom lip
this debut poetry collection is relatable, candid, and beautifully vulnerable. comprised of reflections on a past relationship, there's a feeling of painful catharsis. tarriona describes it as "a collection of poems so that I can remember... and forget."
my favorite thing about vulnerable af is that tarriona's personality shines brightly throughout. she establishes herself as someone who loves love, who yearns for romance and connection, and who ultimately knows her worth.
My pride sometimes sits in the back seat when I ride with you but
rides shotgun in the elevator
Going absolutely nowhere
We are not going up
Limbo lazy we saving heaven for later
I wanted my slice now
You wouldn't tell me if you were hungry
(from "Adam")
the traditional poems are interspersed with "Tank's Story Time" sections that share context about her life and loves. i really enjoyed the realness of these sections.
but the thing i struggle with is that i want more from this collection. tarriona establishes that she can make herself vulnerable, but i think she could have gone deeper. many of the poems are super short, and i was left wanting more.
i enjoyed this collection, though, and i'm glad it made me aware of tarriona's music. her group, tank and the bangas, is badass!! i recommend this one, especially if you like heartbreaky themes or you're in need of some healing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Quote is from the ARC and is subject to change upon publication.
May 12, 2021
4.5 stars. I hadn't heard of Tarriona "Tank" Ball before this, but this brief collection has made me a fan. She has a really nice sense of metaphor and a nice rhythm to her lines. These poems and prose pieces are about an older relationship that burned bright and then ended....poorly. the poems, like "Sun and Moon Folk" are all about understanding and learning from that:
I used to call you Sun
And I, your Moon
We gave each other such important names
So early in the day
Maybe I can see why you turned eclipse
Never thought that the names would become bigger than the sky
that carried them
I guess you
Didn't want the responsibility of brightening my day in that way
Didn't know that you never wanted to gleam like that
But you should know
I didn't call you Sun with the intent for such a responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you...
I shined
I both read this and listened to the audiobook; if you get a chance, listen to Ball read her work. Her emotion and pacing (especially on the prose pieces) are really good!
4 stars for the print book
5 stars for the audiobook
**Thanks to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for free copies in exchange for an honest review.
I used to call you Sun
And I, your Moon
We gave each other such important names
So early in the day
Maybe I can see why you turned eclipse
Never thought that the names would become bigger than the sky
that carried them
I guess you
Didn't want the responsibility of brightening my day in that way
Didn't know that you never wanted to gleam like that
But you should know
I didn't call you Sun with the intent for such a responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you...
I shined
I both read this and listened to the audiobook; if you get a chance, listen to Ball read her work. Her emotion and pacing (especially on the prose pieces) are really good!
4 stars for the print book
5 stars for the audiobook
**Thanks to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for free copies in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2021
just finished this poetry collection and it was such a sad book about being used, heartbroken and hopelessly in love, but yet... healing 🥺 i enjoyed it!
definitely would recommend to people who can relate to being used in past relationships.
also, i wanna say thank you to netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
definitely would recommend to people who can relate to being used in past relationships.
also, i wanna say thank you to netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 19, 2022
I liked this! I just wish there was more variety in the poetry. The title made me think this would be about more than just the one quasi-relationship it described but I think this was just a collection of break-up poetry. I definitely want to check out this author’s music now though!
January 10, 2022
I can’t do this type of vulnerability. I judged this book of poems aka her book of powers by this cover and honestly I thought it was going to be about mental health!! Sue me! lolllll
You gotta see how I was misled. LOL!
Anyway, it was about unrequited love. More specifically, it was about her being in a relationship with someone who didn’t recognize how beautiful and how much of a spark this young queen is. And that bothered me. It bothered me because you could have used this book to tell us the reader about you, but instead you told us about him and I couldn’t stand it.
I didn’t want to read about how you shined when you were around him, and he didn’t love you. I wasn’t in the right head space and that’s my bad. Anyway. Tank still bangs. I give it up to her every single time.
Enjoy her Tiny Desk if you haven’t seen it: https://youtu.be/QKzobTCIRDw
You gotta see how I was misled. LOL!
Anyway, it was about unrequited love. More specifically, it was about her being in a relationship with someone who didn’t recognize how beautiful and how much of a spark this young queen is. And that bothered me. It bothered me because you could have used this book to tell us the reader about you, but instead you told us about him and I couldn’t stand it.
I didn’t want to read about how you shined when you were around him, and he didn’t love you. I wasn’t in the right head space and that’s my bad. Anyway. Tank still bangs. I give it up to her every single time.
Enjoy her Tiny Desk if you haven’t seen it: https://youtu.be/QKzobTCIRDw
April 15, 2021
Tarriona "Tank" Ball's debut poetry collection is a reflection on the heartbreak wrought by a past relationship. As the title suggests, Ball's writing is vulnerable; when she speaks to the former object of her affection, there are palpable flashes of anger, confusion, and pure resentment. She also paints a vivid picture of her former lover, presenting us with the bits and pieces of him that drew him to her in the first place, and which inevitably ended up breaking her heart.
The book's poetry is interspersed with "Tank's Story Time", short stories that seemed intended to give some context to the poems surrounding them. However, I could've done without them. I didn't find myself connecting with any of them in any meaningful way. The book also includes some cool illustrations, all of which I absolutely adored. I found myself spending time picking these images apart as if they were poems themselves.
Given her slam poetry background, it was also no surprise that some of the poems possessed rhythm that needed to be taken into account to get the full effect of the piece. One of them is "Adam", which I have to say is my personal favorite. I honestly would love the opportunity to see this one performed live.
Overall, there were a lot of good poems, many of which I feel would resonate quite a bit with someone who is still in the throes of their own painful heartbreak. Personally, I just didn't feel emotionally drawn into enough of the poems, and maybe I'm just not the intended audience. However, I do feel that this poetry collection would speak most deeply to those in the midst of a breakup or anyone still holding a flame for someone who refuses to love them back.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tarriona Ball for an advance copy of this book.
The book's poetry is interspersed with "Tank's Story Time", short stories that seemed intended to give some context to the poems surrounding them. However, I could've done without them. I didn't find myself connecting with any of them in any meaningful way. The book also includes some cool illustrations, all of which I absolutely adored. I found myself spending time picking these images apart as if they were poems themselves.
Given her slam poetry background, it was also no surprise that some of the poems possessed rhythm that needed to be taken into account to get the full effect of the piece. One of them is "Adam", which I have to say is my personal favorite. I honestly would love the opportunity to see this one performed live.
Overall, there were a lot of good poems, many of which I feel would resonate quite a bit with someone who is still in the throes of their own painful heartbreak. Personally, I just didn't feel emotionally drawn into enough of the poems, and maybe I'm just not the intended audience. However, I do feel that this poetry collection would speak most deeply to those in the midst of a breakup or anyone still holding a flame for someone who refuses to love them back.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tarriona Ball for an advance copy of this book.
May 29, 2021
I listened to the audiobook the author narrates with poetry, her's voice with the music background was wonderful. I loved both poems and the stories. This poetry collection was about ended relationship, emotion, love, heartbreak, and being vulnerable.
My favorite was "could be anything"
If you were a book, you'd be an interesting read with a fucked up ending
and "The Ass"
Out of all the parts of the body that you could be
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My favorite was "could be anything"
If you were a book, you'd be an interesting read with a fucked up ending
and "The Ass"
Out of all the parts of the body that you could be
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 14, 2021
Vulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball is one incredible collection of poetry that will leave you in awe.
The first introduction sentence along sets the mood and really makes you feel for what's coming. Then we get to each individual piece of poetry that just "Wows". It is "Vulnerable AF". It's a step into Tarriona's minds and feelings. I loved the honestly and integrity that this collection gives off. It felt real, which I really like. I love being able to feel with someone else through a piece of writing.
There's going to be the odd poem you don't relate to - that's the human experience. Even when I couldn't relate, I found myself still enjoying the poems. They are well written and really hit home.
Overall, highly recommend this collection of poetry!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
The first introduction sentence along sets the mood and really makes you feel for what's coming. Then we get to each individual piece of poetry that just "Wows". It is "Vulnerable AF". It's a step into Tarriona's minds and feelings. I loved the honestly and integrity that this collection gives off. It felt real, which I really like. I love being able to feel with someone else through a piece of writing.
There's going to be the odd poem you don't relate to - that's the human experience. Even when I couldn't relate, I found myself still enjoying the poems. They are well written and really hit home.
Overall, highly recommend this collection of poetry!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
June 16, 2021
I received an eARC copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 3.5, a higher rating goes for the stunning cover
I pictured this whole poetry collection being performed on a stage, in a dim-lit room. Tarriona "Tank" Ball comes up with a mic and absolutely crushes the hearts of everyone in the audience, spills all her raw emotions, hurts, realness.
Vulnerable AF made me feel utterly vulnerable and powerful at the same time. The poet opened her heart to us, revealed her deepest emotions, gave us a few life lessons, and shared glimpses of her soul.
Some poems were relatable af, as we all went through a heartbreak or two. The words emanate anger, confusion, hurt, even regret and sadness. The verses and short prose are heavy with all these emotions, mixed with a dose of nostalgia of times when the poet believed that the love she felt was true.
At times, I felt disconnected from a few poems and prose; they came across as weaker in wording and feelings, with less expressiveness and cohesiveness with the rest of the collection.
To all of you who are still holding a flame for someone who refuses to show you love in return, or are in the midst of a hard breakup, read this collection; it would help you heal.
"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on."
Steve Maraboli
Actual rating 3.5, a higher rating goes for the stunning cover
I pictured this whole poetry collection being performed on a stage, in a dim-lit room. Tarriona "Tank" Ball comes up with a mic and absolutely crushes the hearts of everyone in the audience, spills all her raw emotions, hurts, realness.
Vulnerable AF made me feel utterly vulnerable and powerful at the same time. The poet opened her heart to us, revealed her deepest emotions, gave us a few life lessons, and shared glimpses of her soul.
Some poems were relatable af, as we all went through a heartbreak or two. The words emanate anger, confusion, hurt, even regret and sadness. The verses and short prose are heavy with all these emotions, mixed with a dose of nostalgia of times when the poet believed that the love she felt was true.
At times, I felt disconnected from a few poems and prose; they came across as weaker in wording and feelings, with less expressiveness and cohesiveness with the rest of the collection.
The Ass
Out of all the parts of the body that you could be
I never thought you, my love, could be the asshole
I thought that maybe you could be hands
Reliable
Soft
There
Holding
Or maybe tongue
Quick
Ready
Smooth
Or perhaps arms
Big
Wide
Strong
Maybe even chest
Broad
Lay
Rest
But of all the things to be, you choose to be an asshole
Shit
Full
And now... released
Expectations
.
.
.
Maybe I expected too much
Maybe I should have never let your arms
Drive up and down my body
As if they were lost
Looking for a fucking rest stop
Whether it be my body or my heart
Maybe I had too many lights on
Made you feel safe, like I was shelter
The kind of place that you
Hide your boredom in
Don't touch me if you don't mean it
.
.
.
To all of you who are still holding a flame for someone who refuses to show you love in return, or are in the midst of a hard breakup, read this collection; it would help you heal.
"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on."
Steve Maraboli
April 12, 2025
Vulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball
-Tank’s poetry is so smooth you can’t stop reading. I felt so seen as a plus size black woman in the world trying to find myself and love. Her poems were beautiful and touching. I couldn’t stop staring at the art inside as well. This book was beautiful, vulnerable and touching wow.
Thank you Andrews Mcmeel Publishing for the book
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Tank’s poetry is so smooth you can’t stop reading. I felt so seen as a plus size black woman in the world trying to find myself and love. Her poems were beautiful and touching. I couldn’t stop staring at the art inside as well. This book was beautiful, vulnerable and touching wow.
Thank you Andrews Mcmeel Publishing for the book
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 29, 2021
Raw... original. If you like jilted love, heartbreak, sincere honest thought from the lens of a Black woman in her 20s this is for you.
Read
June 1, 2021Tank is a collection of poems about a former relationship. While it's clear that Ball has a deep affection for her ex, it also shows how easily her feelings can turn toxic. The book's poetry is accompanied by short stories called Tank's Story Time, which I found to be a little confusing. Given her background in slam poetry, it was no surprise that some of the poems required more than just a simple rhythm to get the full effect.
The poems are broken up into three sections: one where Tarriona talks about her real-life relationship, one where she talks about Adams toxic relationship, and one where she talks about her future. Some of these poems are powerful, and I feel that they would most likely speak to someone who is still struggling with their own pain. Thank you, Andrew McMeel Publishing, for the gifted copy via net galley.
The poems are broken up into three sections: one where Tarriona talks about her real-life relationship, one where she talks about Adams toxic relationship, and one where she talks about her future. Some of these poems are powerful, and I feel that they would most likely speak to someone who is still struggling with their own pain. Thank you, Andrew McMeel Publishing, for the gifted copy via net galley.
April 18, 2022
I always suggest listening to audio versions with the author as the narrator, but I especially suggest this one read by Tank of “Tank and the Bangas.” As the title suggest, she gets vulnerable AF. I related a little too much. I wish I could have read/heard this ten years ago in the midst of my own most toxic relationship. I would love to see/hear more of “Tank’s story time.”
May 16, 2022
Tryna get back to Poetry Mondays. I loved this collection! Short but poignant and emotional. I could relate.
May 17, 2021
Tarriona Ball took me on such an emotional trip. I don't think I have ever wanted to cheer on an author as much as I did reading Vulnerable AF! "Dump, him!", "You deserve way more!", "YOU are the SUN". Ahhh how I delighted with the poem "The Ass".
This collection felt like talking to a girlfriend getting out of a toxic relationship (in the best of ways). It was so fantastic. Evocative, deep, witty. Oh and the delightful play of words *chefs kiss*. Read it!
This collection felt like talking to a girlfriend getting out of a toxic relationship (in the best of ways). It was so fantastic. Evocative, deep, witty. Oh and the delightful play of words *chefs kiss*. Read it!
November 12, 2021
This book is so worth reading!! I loved it so much. In this book of lyrical poetry, you will feel exactly what the author is feeling. I have felt her tears, her anger, her sadness and every other emotion that she had when author has felt. This is a great read and this book is highly recommended.
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review
@booksforwardpr
#BooksForwardFriends
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review
@booksforwardpr
#BooksForwardFriends
May 28, 2021
Wow, this really was vulnerable af.
I really enjoyed this look into a failed relationship and how the author felt. It was raw and yes, vulnerable, and I think it makes for a cool experience.
Sometimes there were almost-rhymes that were a little off, unless you have a southern accent maybe, but generally, quality poetry and a quality book.
I really enjoyed this look into a failed relationship and how the author felt. It was raw and yes, vulnerable, and I think it makes for a cool experience.
Sometimes there were almost-rhymes that were a little off, unless you have a southern accent maybe, but generally, quality poetry and a quality book.
December 7, 2021
Do I love Tank? Yes. Do I love Tank and the Bangas?! Also yes! I remember the first time I saw them in concert with Big Freedia, YOU ALREADY KNOOOOOOW!
Okay, I’m back focused now. Kinda. Did I buy this book for a friend as her Christmas gift? Also, yes. But she was not getting it until I read it first. Keep that between us y’all. Haha!
Great book of poetry from Tank. We talking love, infatuation, and heartbreak. Don’t we all know it so well, *deep sigh* Tank gives us major vulnerability in Vulnerable AF.
I’m not gon hold y’all, but Tank said this in Sun and Moon Folk, “I didn't call you Sun with the intent for such a responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you ..
I shined”
That’s it. Enjoy, beloveds.
Okay, I’m back focused now. Kinda. Did I buy this book for a friend as her Christmas gift? Also, yes. But she was not getting it until I read it first. Keep that between us y’all. Haha!
Great book of poetry from Tank. We talking love, infatuation, and heartbreak. Don’t we all know it so well, *deep sigh* Tank gives us major vulnerability in Vulnerable AF.
I’m not gon hold y’all, but Tank said this in Sun and Moon Folk, “I didn't call you Sun with the intent for such a responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you ..
I shined”
That’s it. Enjoy, beloveds.
March 30, 2021
3 stars *may change
I'm a big fan of spoken word, key word /spoken/, so I always have a bit of trouble with the written versions of poems that are so clearly meant to be recited by someone far more talented than I am. I think it would have definitely been a more fulfilling experience had I actually seen the writer perform. Alas, we move on.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via Edelweiss.
I'm a big fan of spoken word, key word /spoken/, so I always have a bit of trouble with the written versions of poems that are so clearly meant to be recited by someone far more talented than I am. I think it would have definitely been a more fulfilling experience had I actually seen the writer perform. Alas, we move on.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via Edelweiss.
June 28, 2021
4.25 stars. My favorite poems were Damaged Merchandise (Walmart), Be Bee, Sudden Truth, and Adam. Strong collection, but the second half is a lot stronger than the beginning. Review to come.
June 8, 2021
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this ARC. it was a very shirt poetry collection narrated by the author.
I really enjoyed the narration, though, at the beginning, there was some pretty loud music and I couldn't really hear the poems.
All in all, I enjoyed that. it's centered around a breakup and I really like how it all worked together. However, I found it hard to really relate to most poems and some of them didn't really felt like poems at all when listened to.
Still, I'll be on the lookout for more poetry for Tarriona Ball.
I listened to this ARC. it was a very shirt poetry collection narrated by the author.
I really enjoyed the narration, though, at the beginning, there was some pretty loud music and I couldn't really hear the poems.
All in all, I enjoyed that. it's centered around a breakup and I really like how it all worked together. However, I found it hard to really relate to most poems and some of them didn't really felt like poems at all when listened to.
Still, I'll be on the lookout for more poetry for Tarriona Ball.
May 13, 2021
This book was so relatable , and so good. This book is made up of vulnerable poetry centred around heartbreak ,love and longing. It came through me like author's heartfelt share of her past relationships.There were some poems I could relate to , and it made me feel vulnerable again , so the books name is so appropriate.
I absolutely loved the collection , and highly recommend to everyone , who have felt vulnerable once in their relationship. The audiobook version is awesome , I liked the way authors tell her poem , I felt so much more connected.
Thankyou Author and publisher for the advance reader copy.
I absolutely loved the collection , and highly recommend to everyone , who have felt vulnerable once in their relationship. The audiobook version is awesome , I liked the way authors tell her poem , I felt so much more connected.
Thankyou Author and publisher for the advance reader copy.
May 10, 2021
(ARC received via Netgalley)
I really didn't get on with this one, and I wish so much that I could've. This just doesn't work for me as written poetry at all. There's no attention paid to rhythm or rhyme, the phrasing is clunky and awkward and often juvenile (the amount of times the word 'freaking' was used made me cringe) and all the emotions are so surface level that I just didn't feel anything. There's no depth of feeling or language here. It was like reading a stranger's diary.
As for the structure, I liked the idea of having interims where the poet talked confessionally about how the poems came to be and gave some context to each of them, but in actuality they were just repetitive, jarring and read like filler to make up for the fact that there weren't enough poems to warrant a collection. It felt like a missed opportunity.
I can absolutely see how these poems might have been cathartic for the author, and I can see how they would possibly work in a slam context, with the atmosphere and the author's delivery giving the emotional weight to the poems that the words themselves don't quite convey on the page, but this just doesn't work as a collection of poetry for me. Perhaps it could have been pruned and published as a chapbook, or as an accompaniment to one of the poet's shows, but not in this format.
I really didn't get on with this one, and I wish so much that I could've. This just doesn't work for me as written poetry at all. There's no attention paid to rhythm or rhyme, the phrasing is clunky and awkward and often juvenile (the amount of times the word 'freaking' was used made me cringe) and all the emotions are so surface level that I just didn't feel anything. There's no depth of feeling or language here. It was like reading a stranger's diary.
As for the structure, I liked the idea of having interims where the poet talked confessionally about how the poems came to be and gave some context to each of them, but in actuality they were just repetitive, jarring and read like filler to make up for the fact that there weren't enough poems to warrant a collection. It felt like a missed opportunity.
I can absolutely see how these poems might have been cathartic for the author, and I can see how they would possibly work in a slam context, with the atmosphere and the author's delivery giving the emotional weight to the poems that the words themselves don't quite convey on the page, but this just doesn't work as a collection of poetry for me. Perhaps it could have been pruned and published as a chapbook, or as an accompaniment to one of the poet's shows, but not in this format.
September 30, 2021
I have been in love with Tank's work since I heard Roller Coasters. So when I saw that she was coming out with a poetry book my ass was excited as hell. And I mean excited is an understatement.
Vulnerable AF is exactly what it says....VULNERABLE. These poems embody Tanks heart, they embody her experience with unrequited love. I do not know about any of y'all but I think just about everyone has had experience with loving or lusting for someone and it wasn't returned. What I loved about Vulnerable AF is that while each poem was its own story, Tank scattered throughout the book 'Tanks Story Time' these pieces give us a little more insight on Tank and further embodies the title of the book. Her dedication alone hit me right in the heart. "Dedicated to the boy with the deepest mud puddles I have ever stepped in." It reminded me of a girl, I not only stepped in her mud puddles, I jumped and threw myself down in her puddles. Hoping that if I showed her that I would take in her mess and fall at her feet that she would see me. Spoiler alert...she didn't see me. And all I had to show for it were the bruises from my fall and a broken heart.
One of my favorite poems is Expectations. And there is a specific part that pulled at my heart strings. It goes:
"And you didn't just touch meYou held meYou held me like if you let me go, morning would come too soon
As if we only came alive at night
Because soon as the day would hit your backI would be a stranger to your heartI would be a foreigner to your eyes
I had no need to wonder how it felt to have a Sun who was embarrassed by its skyHow dare you make me feel like an eclipse to your shine?A dark hiding place for your wet dreamsA busy spot for your fingers when they were not busy holding sticks."
When you get a chance go take a listen to Tanks piece Roller Coasters and you will understand exactly what I am talking about. She's brilliant AF!
Vulnerable AF is exactly what it says....VULNERABLE. These poems embody Tanks heart, they embody her experience with unrequited love. I do not know about any of y'all but I think just about everyone has had experience with loving or lusting for someone and it wasn't returned. What I loved about Vulnerable AF is that while each poem was its own story, Tank scattered throughout the book 'Tanks Story Time' these pieces give us a little more insight on Tank and further embodies the title of the book. Her dedication alone hit me right in the heart. "Dedicated to the boy with the deepest mud puddles I have ever stepped in." It reminded me of a girl, I not only stepped in her mud puddles, I jumped and threw myself down in her puddles. Hoping that if I showed her that I would take in her mess and fall at her feet that she would see me. Spoiler alert...she didn't see me. And all I had to show for it were the bruises from my fall and a broken heart.
One of my favorite poems is Expectations. And there is a specific part that pulled at my heart strings. It goes:
"And you didn't just touch meYou held meYou held me like if you let me go, morning would come too soon
As if we only came alive at night
Because soon as the day would hit your backI would be a stranger to your heartI would be a foreigner to your eyes
I had no need to wonder how it felt to have a Sun who was embarrassed by its skyHow dare you make me feel like an eclipse to your shine?A dark hiding place for your wet dreamsA busy spot for your fingers when they were not busy holding sticks."
When you get a chance go take a listen to Tanks piece Roller Coasters and you will understand exactly what I am talking about. She's brilliant AF!
May 25, 2021
I'm not a connoisseur of poetry. It's not the first thing I select to read but I do enjoy a good collection when I find one. Tarriona "Tank" Ball delivers a very good collection that made me think back on my first love and first break-up. Remembering the ache, sadness, anger, recovery and healing was oddly therapeutic.
The poems I had audible reactions to were: Survival Guide, Postpone, Glare, The A** and Sudden Truth. Her words are more than enough but complimented by those beautiful illustrations by Shonté Young-Williams is just chef's kiss! A bundle of magical black female energy in your hands.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The poems I had audible reactions to were: Survival Guide, Postpone, Glare, The A** and Sudden Truth. Her words are more than enough but complimented by those beautiful illustrations by Shonté Young-Williams is just chef's kiss! A bundle of magical black female energy in your hands.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2021
An amazing poetry collection by an author I've never heard of before but will be catching up very often from now on!
It left me with so many emotions, and feelings, I hadn't realized mere words could give me.
It was super honest and remarkable, and very relatable.
As the book began, I was introduced to the great slow painful decline of love, and I was so shock at the amount of emotion the author puts in her words, and the fact that she was the narrator made every single syllable more powerful.
I'm only a tiny bit speechless but in every good way there could be.
Very happy to have had received this from NetGalley as an audiobook ARC.
It left me with so many emotions, and feelings, I hadn't realized mere words could give me.
It was super honest and remarkable, and very relatable.
As the book began, I was introduced to the great slow painful decline of love, and I was so shock at the amount of emotion the author puts in her words, and the fact that she was the narrator made every single syllable more powerful.
I'm only a tiny bit speechless but in every good way there could be.
Very happy to have had received this from NetGalley as an audiobook ARC.
April 30, 2021
This book was made up of vulnerable poetry, centered around love, heartbreak, and longing.
There were definitely a few poems that really spoke to me, and were beautifully written. All of the poems were about a guy though, and I hoped for more variety. The poems felt like they were meant to be viewed by a select group of people, not necessarily then readers, and it was hard to get an inside look at the meaning of them.
Thank you to net galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
There were definitely a few poems that really spoke to me, and were beautifully written. All of the poems were about a guy though, and I hoped for more variety. The poems felt like they were meant to be viewed by a select group of people, not necessarily then readers, and it was hard to get an inside look at the meaning of them.
Thank you to net galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 9, 2024
3.5⭐️ I think there were some poems that were really good but overall a little lackluster to me. I wouldn't reread. Survival Guide, Sun and Moon Folk, and Glare were my favorite of the poems.
"You will notice the vines that you swung on to
avoid his moods swings
You will climb them, and you will cut them at
the root
Why?
Such a thing will grow back if not severed
properly"
"I didn't call you the Sun with the intent for such a
responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you...
I shined"
"One day
You will have to teach me the art of overlooking
the Sun"
"You will notice the vines that you swung on to
avoid his moods swings
You will climb them, and you will cut them at
the root
Why?
Such a thing will grow back if not severed
properly"
"I didn't call you the Sun with the intent for such a
responsibility
I called you Sun because when I saw you...
I shined"
"One day
You will have to teach me the art of overlooking
the Sun"
August 20, 2021
this was amazing! such a stunning book with such beautiful poems inside. i didn't expect to like this book as much as i did, since it was so short and i read it in under an hour; however, i LOVED IT!!! the metaphors were spot on and i've been DYING for a book with a cohesive and ongoing storyline, and this was it! thank you so much from the bottom of my heart tarriona, this was an excellent collection!!
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