Girl with Death Mask
When cornered, we’ll admit to preferring poetry with rhythm—musicality in the ear surely deepens a poem’s effect. Yes, Jennifer Givhan, we’re awed by your use of pause and pacing, as you lead us to better understanding a woman’s landmine-filled journey out of childhood. Much awarded and published in top poetry journals, she is the author of two other collections and lives in New Mexico.
Shame~
No it’s true I put on makeup for my rapist
I loved him I know I shouldn’t admit it
the way the wick melts into wax & needs
to be dug out I loved him so hard He still calls me
sometimes I didn’t even realize what that night
should be called how naming things calls them
into being I bought a new skirt & I don’t mean
before I mean after I even curled my hair
& maybe I’d curl it again I don’t know
how long does it take to be cured They sell
new wicks in packs & you can stick one in deep
with a needle It’ll burn the same You can burn
your skin if you’re not careful I’ve done it I’ve
dreamt I’m not still dead
I wake on fire
Reviewed by
Matt Sutherland
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
