Posted by I love poetry. And every time I read a good poetry book, I somehow love it even more. I am awestruck by the creativity in many writers and their ability to convey emotion so well. Andrea Gibson’s You Better Be Lightning offers inspiring insight into the world around us. Poems about LGBTQ youth, trauma, and love made me fall in love with poetry again.
This book examines and reflects on the world, love, politics, and the author’s own experiences. Each poem was unique and beautiful, and each pulled on my heartstrings.
I loved how vulnerable Gibson was with her writing. She wrote about personal events that created powerful poems that I continued to think about long after I finished reading the book.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was how it was over so soon! I wish there was more poems to relish and enjoy, but I will have to look out for Andrea Gibson’s other works.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy poetry, of course. Also, if you are willing to feel like your heart has been ripped right out of your chest!
This story is written by a queer person, and it was so interesting but heartbreaking to read their experience. Their stories can possibly resonate with other queer people, and can help them feel like they are not alone in their journey.
“Regret is a time machine to the past.
Worry is a time machine to the future.
Gratitude is a time machine to the present.” I loved this quote so much because of its truth. It made me realize that I should focus more on gratitude instead of regret and worry.
Three out of four roses! My favorite poems were “Queer Youth Are Five Times More Likely To Die By Suicide”, (a poem that almost made me cry) “The Museum of Broken Relationships”, (another very sad one) and “Aliens Explain Why They Are Visiting Earth” (it was interesting to see the world through the eyes of someone who has never visited) One day, I hope to form sentences as powerful as the ones I read in this book.
Elena Reads and Reviews 