"The Sun and Her Flowers" is the second book by poet and author, Rupi Kaur. Her first book, "Milk and Honey," was published in 2014, and chronicles the stages of a relationship and subsequent breakup she went through in the form of poetry. "The Sun and Her Flowers" is more of a coming-of-age story, told in a series of poems. It is no secret that these poems have the ability to speak to people of all ages and walks of life, but I find that Kaur's poetry speaks to young women on a particularly deep level. These are 10 poems from the compilation that I think every girl can identify with.
1. For when it feels like you're broken
i hardened under the last loss. it took something
human out of me. i used to be so deeply emotional i'd
crumble on demand. i care about the ones around me. i'm just
struggling to show it. a wall is getting in the way. i used
to dream of being so strong nothing could shake me.
now. i am. so strong. that nothing shakes me.
and all i dream is to soften
- numbness
2. For when you don't feel respected
you must see no worth in yourself
if you find me worth less
after you've touched me
as if your hands on my body
magnify you
and reduce me to nothing
- worth is not something we transfer
3. On realizing your worth
i do not need the kind of love
that is draining
i want someone
who energizes me.
4. On seeing potential in yourself
the day you have everything
i hope you remember
when you had nothing
5. On defining yourself on your own terms
their concept of beauty
is manufactured
i am not
- human
6. On letting others in
when the world comes crashing at your feet
it's okay to let others
help pick up the pieces
if we're present to take part in your happiness
when your circumstance are great
we are more than capable
of sharing your pain
- community
7. On helping others
what good am i
if i do not fill the plates
of the ones who fed me
but fill the plates of strangers
- family
8. On supporting other women
our work should equip
the next generation of women
to outdo us in every field
this is the legacy we'll leave behind
- progress
9. On moving on
like the rainbow
after the rain
joy will reveal itself
after sorrow
10. On being the bigger person
to hate
is an easy lazy thing
but to love
takes strength
everyone has
but not all are
willing to practice
