Birds of Prey and Paradise: Sapphic Poetry

by Emily Juniper

Birds of Prey and Paradise is a follow-up to Juniper's sapphic bestseller, Coming Home to Her. Birds of Prey and Paradise explores themes of growing up, coming out, compulsory heterosexuality, and falling in love with a woman for the first time.

Genres: Poetry, Lesbian, LGBT, Nonfiction, Queer

119 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2022

Reviews

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For the late bloomers (you arrived exactly when you were meant to)”

A book of poems to some, sure. But reading it on a massive journey of admitting who I am and accepting it makes this book something very different for me.

I read most of these poems with either tears in my eyes, or an uncomfortable realisation settling in my stomach.

Thank you Emily Juniper for finding words to fit me.

‘But look at you now, my steadfast first mate, you’ve arrived at the party not a moment too late.’

[Britt Buckenroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic of Emily’s writing is that when you read her work you feel like she is speaking it’s to you. It’s so personal, so close…and I find myself wondering how a worrier can know these innermost thoughts and feelings of mine. She captures universal emotions so well. Every reader will see themselves in the pages of her poetry.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many feelings 😭🥰💔❤️‍🔥 especially about the last poem, My Pirate Queen Romy oof

[Kaci Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Juniper always knows how to get me and this one was even better than the last collection I read from her. Definitely a quick read, but I try my best to put it down a couple times so I can fully appreciate it all.

[J.A. Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girlfriend and I purchased 2 copies of this book for a date night earlier this year. We didn't want it to end because we could relate to so much of it. We have already discussed purchasing more books by Emily for future date nights.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful words. This late bloomer appreciates how she verbalizes a very personal and beautiful experience.

[gi! · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love gay people

[Maria Plott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry. Made me gayer

[trashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything Emily Juniper writes

[Sam Savello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful.

[Aly Brasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So raw. So beautiful.

[Destiknee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2/5

[Olivia Nahmias · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 re-read - *Still 5 stars*
Beautiful book of poetry that made me feel all the right feelings again the second time reading.
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2023 review - *5 stars!!!*
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This book was incredible. This is exactly the poetry that I love. It’s short and packs a humungous punch.

“What if I told you you don’t want to be a flower, you want to be a weed? Would you believe me if I said that beauty is subjective anyway, and you don’t need to give them pink petals to be worthy of love or kindness or attention or grace. Society values the flower’s beauty but does not hesitate to snap its stem, cut it from its life blood, and trap it behind glass. You want to be a weed. You want to slip beyond the gaze of greedy eyes and grubby little fingers squabbling to grasp at your neck. You want to be able to grow in peace, or say fuck you when they pave over the field of wildflowers you grew in, then grow through the cracks in spite of it all. You want to be the splinter of green on the sterile, grey city. The one the grandfather points to and says, see that little guy growing through the cracks, kiddo? You want to be like that.”

One thousand times yes.