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To Make an End
“For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice, and to make an end is to make a beginning." ― T.S. Eliot”
In Quinn's second poetry collection, she divides her book into twelve chapters each represented by a calendar month, starting with January and ending in December. Each is explored symbolically with a wide range of topics from betrayal and rebellion, to freedom and wisdom, to transitions and trust.
Each section is bookended with art designed by the author, reminding readers that nothing is fully black and white. Darkness and light are two sides of one coin.
In Quinn's second poetry collection, she divides her book into twelve chapters each represented by a calendar month, starting with January and ending in December. Each is explored symbolically with a wide range of topics from betrayal and rebellion, to freedom and wisdom, to transitions and trust.
Each section is bookended with art designed by the author, reminding readers that nothing is fully black and white. Darkness and light are two sides of one coin.
169 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2022
About the author
Brianna Rae Quinn
12 books6 followersBrianna Rae Quinn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. From a young age, she developed a love for art and writing, creating her first pieces of poetry as young as five years old. She wrote and illustrated her own short stories, promising herself to one day become an author.
Since then, Quinn has been writing and creating art as a hobby, taking several creative writing classes and beginning her own YouTube channel, "BrieIY", in college which she has used as a platform to document her growth as a creator.
Quinn graduated with a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Language Arts in 2018, and obtained her Masters in Education with a focus in Reading in 2019. She is currently a Literacy Coach in Ohio, and looks forward to publishing further collections of poetry and novels in her summers off.
Since then, Quinn has been writing and creating art as a hobby, taking several creative writing classes and beginning her own YouTube channel, "BrieIY", in college which she has used as a platform to document her growth as a creator.
Quinn graduated with a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Language Arts in 2018, and obtained her Masters in Education with a focus in Reading in 2019. She is currently a Literacy Coach in Ohio, and looks forward to publishing further collections of poetry and novels in her summers off.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 7, 2022
To Make an End, poems by Brianna Rae Quinn, Is a beautiful collection of poetry that reflects a young woman’s successes and struggles with love and friendships, career, and sense of self. Quinn’s sophomore poetry collection is thoughtfully arranged to juxtapose opposing themes over the progression of time: for instance, time and love, war and healing, conflict and power.
Quinn’s sharpest verses are born of a paucity of words. Her short poems, including several haiku verses, cut fast and deep; favorites among them include “New Moon,” “A Night In,” “The Crane,” and “Embrace.” (Of note: the brilliance of her use of the seven-syllable word “unapologetically” in her haiku “A Night In” cannot be denied.)
Quinn finds allegory and complexity in everyday experiences. Tea leaves and water become lovers’ spirits intertwining in “My Cup of Tea.” A bird delivers both joy and betrayal with its song in “Canary Yellow.” Another (a frenemy? significant other?) becomes a suffocating sea creature in “Octopus.”
Above all, despite also relaying the most unavoidable of human insecurities through her work, Quinn delivers powerful messages that will resonate with young readers: that loving yourself is important (“The High Road,” “Echoes”), that success follows faith (“Anyway,” “Horizon Lines”), and that being different is okay (“Different,” “Humiliated”).
As an added bonus, Quinn’s poems are intermingled with her own artwork, a collection of charming, clean line drawings that depict a story in and of themselves, from seed to flower to beautiful being.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and fast read.
Quinn’s sharpest verses are born of a paucity of words. Her short poems, including several haiku verses, cut fast and deep; favorites among them include “New Moon,” “A Night In,” “The Crane,” and “Embrace.” (Of note: the brilliance of her use of the seven-syllable word “unapologetically” in her haiku “A Night In” cannot be denied.)
Quinn finds allegory and complexity in everyday experiences. Tea leaves and water become lovers’ spirits intertwining in “My Cup of Tea.” A bird delivers both joy and betrayal with its song in “Canary Yellow.” Another (a frenemy? significant other?) becomes a suffocating sea creature in “Octopus.”
Above all, despite also relaying the most unavoidable of human insecurities through her work, Quinn delivers powerful messages that will resonate with young readers: that loving yourself is important (“The High Road,” “Echoes”), that success follows faith (“Anyway,” “Horizon Lines”), and that being different is okay (“Different,” “Humiliated”).
As an added bonus, Quinn’s poems are intermingled with her own artwork, a collection of charming, clean line drawings that depict a story in and of themselves, from seed to flower to beautiful being.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and fast read.
January 10, 2023
Each chapter in this collection is a month, and each month contains two themes. I quite liked reading through all of them--each month, each theme, each poem--this collection is diverse yet cohesive, and beautifully written. My favorite poems from this collection are "Solidarity," "Word Carver," and "My Cup of Tea."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2022
Very well written and easy to connect to. I loved how each month represents a new part in Quinn’s life. This book takes you on a journey and keeps you captivated all the way through. This collection of poetry would be great for anyone struggling with self worth and feeling alone. I enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews