by Laura Archer, contributing writer
“How is it so easy for you
to be kind to people he asked.
milk and honey dripped
from my lips as I answered.
cause people have not
been kind to me.”
Milk and Honey is a collection of poems written by Rupi Kaur. The poems in this book are stylistic, adhering to an aesthetic that is accompanied by drawings from the author. It is divided into 4 parts: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, the healing. While the topics in this collection can be quite heavy, the read is smooth and simplistic, making it a good read for any avid poetry fans and even those with no experience in the genre.
The prose in this book serve to document the poet’s life experience growing up as a woman of color. It brings to the forefront the dark parts of society. It highlights the trauma, the hurt, the femininity and the love that comes from living in a male-dominated world where women are often treated as objects and are regularly silenced.
The poems in this book are important and relevant for living in today’s world, where many women experience the same struggles of these issues. Through careful prose it can reach out and touch those that are feeling heartbreak, repression, and even love. It speaks to a wide audience, leaving readers with a new worldly perspective upon finishing.
Overall, Milk and Honey is a good read for those yearning to learn more about the world. For fans of the craft, it offers a stylistic purpose that can be reflected upon and analyzed. For novice readers, it is a great introduction to poetry because of its simplistic execution and narration. I would give this book 4/5 Acorns.