Book Review: "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur

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Cover of "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur


*Spoiler warning!*

4/5 stars

Milk and Honey is the first book of poetry I've read by Rupi Kaur. I really enjoyed this one, even if it dealt with difficult subjects, such as abuse, trauma, and recovery. Whatever form of writing you engage in, you are making yourself vulnerable to the reader. It is very clear that Kaur is putting herself out there in this poignant and beautiful volume. 

All of the poems really resonated with me, featuring messages of hope after suffering trauma and learning to love yourself in all your imperfections. I think the one that resonated the most with me is:

"I don't know what living a balanced life feels like

When I am sad

I don't cry I pour

When I am happy

I don't smile I glow

When I am angry

I don't yell I burn

The good thing about feeling in extremes is

When I love I give them wings

But perhaps that isn't

Such a good thing cause

They always tend to leave

And you should see me

When my heart is broken

I don't grieve

I shatter"

GIF: "On the inside I am a storm of raw emotion"

Why those lines resonated the most with me I think is that we all experience powerful emotions as human beings, and we aren't always able to optimally regulate our expression of them, whether we're dealing with mental illness or grief. Or stress or just having a bad day. Moreover, I think some people see expressions of valid emotions as overbearing and improper, which can be frustrating for the person feeling them. 

I have been told that I am a very sensitive person. I tend to feel things deeply, and this poem gave voice to the very real double-edged sword that can be when trying to be yourself and interacting with the rest of the world. 

The amazing thing about poetry is that so few words can evoke such powerful feelings in readers. For example, emptiness on a page can evoke feelings of sadness and hollowness. That the writer only has the strength to pen these few words, but still want to get their voice out there and heard. (Well, at least for me. I'm not sure how others interpret poetry--how many words on the page, how they are arranged, etc.)

In my opinion, Milk and Honey makes accessible to readers complex themes and ideas animating much larger novels in so much fewer words. And that kind of conciseness of language is just as beautiful as detailed or flowery prose. 

Happy reading!

--BookOwl

GIF of Amanda Gorman speaking


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